1. If one-year nominal interest rate in the U.S. is 3%, while the one-year nominal interest rate in Australia is 5%. The spot rate of the Australian dollar is $.96. Interest Parity is held. You will need 5 million Australian dollars in one year. Today, you purchase a one-year forward contract in Australian dollars. How many U.S. dollars will you need in one year to fulfill your forward contract?
2. Today, the one-year U.S. interest rate is 2%, while the one-year interest rate in Mexico is 6%. The spot rate of the Mexico peso (MXP) is $.08 The one-year forward rate of the MXP exhibits a 11% discount. Determine the yield (percentage return on investment) to an investor from Mexico who engages in covered interest arbitrage.
3. Current one-year interest rates in Europe is 2 percent, while one-year interest rates in the U.S. is 1.5 percent. You convert $100,000 to euros and invests them in France. One year later, you convert the euros back to dollars. The current spot rate of the euro is $1.28.
a. According to the IFE, what should the spot rate of the euro in one year be?
b. If the spot rate of the euro in one year is $1.20, what is your percentage return from your investment?
c. If the spot rate of the euro in one year is $1.35, what is your percentage return from your investment?
d. What must the spot rate of the euro be in one year for your strategy to be successful?