You expect to receive a payment of 1 million British pounds after six months. The pound is currently worth $1.60 (£1 = $1.60), but the future price is $1.56 (£1 = $1.56). You expect the price of the pound to decline (that is, the value of the dollar to rise). If this expectation is fulfilled, you will suffer a loss when the pounds are converted into dollars when you receive them six months in the future.
a. Given the current exchange rate, what is the expected payment in dollars?
b. Given the future exchange rate, how much would you receive in dollars?
c. If, after six months, the pound is worth $1.40, what is your loss from the decline in the value of the pound?
d. To avoid this potential loss, you enter a contract for the future delivery of pounds at the futures price of $1.56. What is the cost to you of this protection from the possible decline in the value of the pound?
e. If, after entering the contract, the price of the pound falls to $1.40, what is the maximum amount that you lose? (Why is your answer dif ferent from your answer to part c?)
f. If, after entering the contract, the price of the pound rises to $1.80, how much do you gain from your position?
g. How would your answer to part f be different if you had not made the contract and the price of the pound had risen to $1.80?