Rubbermaid must pay a Euro-denominated payable of €100,000 in 120 days. The current spot rate of the euro is $1.2750 and the 120 forward rate quoted today is $1.3550. Sherwin is worried that the euro will appreciate over the next 120 days, increasing the dollar cost of their euro receivable. To hedge this risk, they enter into a forward contract with their bank to “buy euros forward” at the forward rate of $1.3550. Assume that 120 days later, Sherwin executes the contract to buy €100,000 at the contracted forward rate of $1.3550. Assume also that the spot rate at that time is $1.3200.
(a) How many dollars did Sherwin have to pay for the €100,000 by executing the forward contract?
(b) How many dollars would Sherwin have had to pay for the euros if they had not hedged with a forward contract but instead purchased euros in the spot market when the payable was due?
(c) Now assume that the spot rate at the time the payable is due is $1.3255. How much did Sherwin save or lose by purchasing their euros through the forward contract rather than on the spot market?