Assignment task
International Investments plc provides finance to a range of businesses. At its half yearly meeting a number of issues were raised. You are required to write a 2500 word report responding to the following requests.
The concerns were as follows:
1) Mr Wart is concerned about the value of the dollar, in particular the effect of the large negative balances on the Balance of Payments. "Surely" he argues, "this makes investment in US bonds very risky and also poses problems for companies who invoice in dollars." He asks for more information on the likely future of the dollar and the critical issues that will affect its future value.
2) Mr Shallow expresses concerns about a rise in the number of businesses who are seeking to trade on the financial markets and make a profit through graduates who have taken degrees that include experience in trading financial securities. "In my opinion" he observes "such businesses are simply gambling and this so called trading room training is of no real value." The meeting requests more information on the behaviour of market prices and the possibility of traders making a profit through trading in shares, currencies, futures and other such financial market prices.
3) Finally, Mr Moldy is concerned about the large numbers of companies who now see their main profits coming from abroad. "In their plans," he notes "particularly with regard to service and retail companies, they see a smooth progression from exporting or providing the service over the internet, to developing the service in the country concerned". I really need an evaluation or guide as to the financial problems that they are likely to encounter and how they can respond. Also some idea as to how I might evaluate the problems would help!"
Notes to the assignment task please take note of this guidance:
a) Your main source for reference should be the lecture notes (slides).
b) The Caroline Mann article (see on blackboard "Articles to download") is especially relevant for section (1) and the slides on the balance of payments.
c) For section (2) the slides on "The market for foreign exchange - the market price" are especially relevant.
d) For section (3) slides on "Globalisation and the multinational firm Host country relations" and "Globalisation and the multinational firm" are especially relevant.
e) Submissions that do not reflect material as delivered on the course will be penalized.
- References from the academic literature should be limited to the articles on Blackboard
- Marks are awarded for your own understanding of the subject (see the grade descriptors) not your ability to gather references.
- Too much referencing and quoting will be penalised as it is only very weak evidence of your own understanding.
You must be within the designated word count by +/-10% including references.
Word count 2,500 words (essay format - please divide you response into (a), (b) and (c))
Your assignment should be word processed and produced in an appropriate business style. The font should be 12, and be 1 ½ spaced. The work must be completed on an individual basis. This assignment is worth 50% of the module.