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Question 2

Boeing, a U.S. aircraft company, needs to borrow EUR50 million for 10 years to invest in a logistic distribution network in Europe. Airbus, a European aircraft company, needs to borrow USD 10 million for 10 years to initiate an expansion project in the U.S. The current spot exchange rate is EUR 5/USD. The following table shows the borrowing costs these two companies face:

	Boeing	Airbus
Borrowing cost in USD	4.00%	5.50%
Borrowing cost in EUR	7.00%	8.00%

(1) (3 marks, one mark each)

(A) Based on the given information, which company has the absolute advantage in borrowing both currencies? (Please type Boeing or Airbus)

(B) Which company has the comparative advantage in borrowing EUR? (Please type Boeing or Airbus)

(C) What is QSD (quality spread differential)? % (Please keep two decimal places and do not type the percentage sign. For example, please type in 9.10 in the box if your answer is 9.1%.)

(2) Both companies decide to enter a currency SWAP contract and agree to split the potential cost-saving equally. What should be the cost of borrowing in terms of interest rate (EUR) after the SWAP for Boeing? % (Please keep two decimal places. For example, please type in 9.10 in the box if your answer is 9.1%.)

(3) If Airbus is prepared to pay USD400,000 to Boeing, how much should Boeing pay Airbus so that both can enjoy equal potential cost-saving? EUR[E]. You must show your working from the perspective of Boeing only.