SlideShare a Scribd company logo
WELCOME TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
In previous finance courses you have been taught about general finance concepts that apply to domestic or local settings, BUT we live in an international world. Companies (and individuals) can raise funds, invest money, buy inputs, produce goods and sell products and services overseas. With these increased opportunities comes additional risks. We need to know how to identify these risks and then how to control or remove them.
American consumers routinely purchase  Oil imported from Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. TV sets and camcorders from Japan Automobiles from Germany Garments from China Shoes from Indonesia Pasta from Italy Wine from France
Foreigners in return purchase American-made aircrafts, Software, Movies, Jeans,  and other products. Continued liberalization of International trade is certain to further internationalize consumption patterns around the world.
Like consumption, production of goods and services has also become highly globalized. MNCs efforts to source inputs and locate production anywhere in the world where costs are lower and profits are higher. E.g. IBM
Financial Markets have also become Highly Integrated. e.g. Diversified Investment Portfolios. E.g. Japanese investors are investing heavily in U.S. and other Foreign financial Markets in efforts to recycle their enormous trade surpluses. Other examples- IBM, Sony  etc.
Dr. Reddy (A) GAIL (G) GRASIM Inds (G) ICICI Bank (A) Infosys Tech (A) ITC (G) L& T (G) M&M (G) SBI (G) Tata Comm (A)
Foreign exchange risk E.g., an unexpected devaluation adversely affects your export market… Political risk E.g., an unexpected overturn of the government that jeopardizes existing negotiated contracts… Market imperfections E.g., trade barriers and tax incentives may affect location of production… Expanded opportunity sets E.g., raise funds in global markets, gains from economies of scale…
Rapidly integrating markets have stretched firms across borders and increased the importance of foreign operations to firms around the world.
What do finance practitioners need to know to operate in a global setting?
Finance practitioners are faced with numerous questions that require well-developed intuitions from a domestic setting to be reinvented in an international setting.  Rather than simply considering how to make aggregate capital structure and dividend decisions, CFOs must also wrestle with decisions regarding the capitalization and repatriation policies of their many subsidiaries.
Capital budgeting decisions must not only reflect divisional differences but the complications introduced by currency, tax and  country risks.  Valuation decisions must now take into account how to value assets that are exposed to different country risks and currencies.  Incentive compensations systems must consider how to measure and reward managers who are operating in very different economic and financial settings.
 
 
How should subsidiaries be financed? How should repatriation policies be designed? How should investment opportunities in different countries be analyzed How should financial information be communicated inside the firm? When should ownership be shared?  With whom
 
 
International Financial Management Foreign Exchange & Derivatives Markets Sourcing Capital in Global Markets Managing FOREX Exposure Foreign Investment Decisions Multinational WCM
Direct Quote Indirect Quote Devaluation Revaluation Depreciation Appreciation
The Foreign Exchange Market The  Foreign Exchange Market  provides:  The physical and institutional structure through which the money of one country is exchanged for that of another country The determination rate of exchange between currencies Is where foreign exchange transactions are physically completed
The Foreign Exchange Market Foreign exchange  means the money of a foreign country; that is, foreign currency bank balances, banknotes, checks and drafts. A  foreign exchange transaction  is an agreement between a buyer and a seller that a fixed amount of one currency will be delivered for some other currency at a specified date.
Geography The foreign exchange market spans the globe, with prices moving and currencies trading somewhere every hour of every business day. As the next exhibit will illustrate, the volume of currency transactions ebbs and flows across the globe as the major currency trading centers open and close throughout the day.
Exhibit 4.1  Measuring Foreign Exchange Market Activity: Average Electronic Conversations Per Hour Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “The Foreign Exchange Market in the United States,” 2001, www.ny.frb.org. Greenwich Mean  Time  Tokyo opens Asia closing 10 AM In Tokyo Afternoon in America London closing 6 pm In NY Americas open Europe opening Lunch In Tokyo
Functions of the Foreign  Exchange Market The foreign exchange Market is the mechanism by which participants: Transfer purchasing power between countries Obtain or provide credit for international trade transactions Minimize exposure to the risks of exchange rate changes
Market Participants The foreign exchange market consists of two tiers: The interbank or wholesale market (multiples of $1MM US or equivalent in transaction size)  The client or retail market (specific, smaller amounts) Five broad categories of participants operate within these two tiers; bank and nonbank foreign exchange dealers, individuals and firms, speculators and arbitragers, central banks and treasuries, and foreign exchange brokers.
Bank and Nonbank Foreign  Exchange Dealers Banks and a few nonbank foreign exchange dealers operate in both the interbank and client markets. The profit from buying foreign exchange at a “bid” price and reselling it at a slightly higher “offer” or “ask” price. Dealers in the foreign exchange department of large international banks often function as “market makers.” These dealers stand willing at all times to buy and sell those currencies in which they specialize and thus maintain an “inventory” position in those currencies.
Individuals and Firms Individuals (such as tourists) and firms (such as importers, exporters and MNEs) conduct commercial and investment transactions in the foreign exchange market. Their use of the foreign exchange market is necessary but nevertheless incidental to their underlying commercial or investment purpose. Some of the participants use the market to “hedge” foreign exchange risk.
Speculators and Arbitragers Speculators and arbitragers seek to profit from trading in the market itself.  They operate in their own interest, without a need or obligation to serve clients or ensure a continuous market. While dealers seek the bid/ask spread, speculators seek all the profit from exchange rate changes and arbitragers try to profit from simultaneous exchange rate differences in different markets.
Central Banks and Treasuries Central banks and treasuries use the market to acquire or spend their country’s foreign exchange reserves as well as to influence the price at which their own currency is traded. They may act to support the value of their own currency because of policies adopted at the national level or because of commitments entered into through membership in joint agreements such as the European Monetary System. The motive is not to earn a profit as such, but rather to influence the foreign exchange value of their currency in a manner that will benefit the interests of their citicizens. As willing loss takers, central banks and treasuries differ in motive from all other market participants.
Foreign Exchange Brokers Foreign exchange brokers are agents who facilitate trading between dealers without themselves becoming principals in the transaction. For this service, they charge a commission. It is a brokers business to know at any moment exactly which dealers want to buy or sell any currency. Dealers use brokers for their speed, and because they want to remain anonymous since the identity of the participants may influence short term quotes.
Transactions  in the Interbank Market A  Spot  transaction in the interbank market is the purchase of foreign exchange, with delivery and payment between banks to take place, normally, on the second following business day. The date of settlement is referred to as the  value date .
Transactions  in the Interbank Market An  outright forward transaction  (usually called just “forward”) requires delivery at a future value date of a specified amount of one currency for a specified amount of another currency. The exchange rate is established at the time of the agreement, but payment and delivery are not required until maturity. Forward exchange rates are usually quoted for value dates of one, two, three, six and twelve months. Buying Forward  and  Selling Forward  describe the same transaction (the only difference is the order in which currencies are referenced.)
Transactions  in the Interbank Market A  swap transaction  in the interbank market is the simultaneous purchase and sale of a given amount of foreign exchange for two different value dates. Both purchase and sale are conducted with the same counterparty. Some different types of swaps are: Spot against forward Forward-Forward Nondeliverable Forwards (NDF)
Market Size In April 2001, a survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) estimated the daily global net turnover in traditional foreign exchange market activity to be $1,210 billion. This was the first decline observed by the BIS since it began surveying banks on foreign currency trading in the 1980s.
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotations A foreign exchange rate is the price of one currency expressed in terms of another currency. A foreign exchange quotation (or quote) is a statement of willingness to buy or sell at an announced rate.
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotations Most foreign exchange transactions involve the US dollar. Professional dealers and brokers may state foreign exchange quotations in one of two ways: The foreign currency price of one dollar The dollar price of a unit of foreign currency Most foreign currencies in the world are stated in terms of the number of units of foreign currency needed to buy one dollar.
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotations For example, the exchange rate between US dollars and the Swiss franc is normally stated: SF 1.6000/$ (European terms) However, this rate can also be stated as: $0.6250/SF (American terms) Excluding two important exceptions, most interbank quotations around the world are stated in European terms.
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotations As mentioned, several exceptions exist to the use of European terms quotes. The two most important are quotes for the euro and U.K. pound sterling which are both normally quoted in American terms. American terms are also utilized in quoting rates for most foreign currency options and futures, as well as in retail markets that deal with toursists.
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotations Foreign exchange quotes are at times described as either  direct  or  indirect . In this pair of definitions, the home or base country of the currencies being discussed is critical. A  direct  quote is a home currency price of a unit of foreign currency. An  indirect  quote is a foreign currency price of a unit of home currency. The form of the quote depends on what the speaker regard as “home.”
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotations Interbank quotations are  given as a bid and ask (also referred to as offer). A  bid  is the price (i.e. exchange rate) in one currency at which a dealer will buy another currency. An ask is the price (i.e. exchange rate) at which a dealer will sell the other currency. Dealers bid (buy) at one price and ask (sell) at a slightly higher price, making their profit from the spread between the buying and selling prices. A bid for one currency is also the offer for the opposite currency.
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotes Forward rates are typically quoted in terms of points. A forward quotation is expressed in points is not a foreign exchange rate as such. Rather, it is the  difference  between the forward rate and the spot rate.
Foreign Exchange Rates  and Quotes Forward quotations may also be expressed as the percent-per-annum deviation from the spot rate. This method of quotation facilitates comparing premiums or discounts in the forward market with interest rate differentials.

More Related Content

PPTX
International Financial Market
PPT
International financial markets
PPT
International financial management
PPTX
International financial market
PPTX
Varsha
PPTX
international financial management
PPT
International Banking - Principles and Practices of Banking
PPTX
If mstrucure of fx markets
International Financial Market
International financial markets
International financial management
International financial market
Varsha
international financial management
International Banking - Principles and Practices of Banking
If mstrucure of fx markets

What's hot (20)

PPTX
International finance
PPTX
PDF
The Foreign Exchange (Forex) Market Explained: Dynamics, Participants and Tra...
PPTX
Unit 1 international of financial management
PDF
41442008 bank-financial-management-caiib-new-syllubus
PDF
The economist guide to the financial markets
PPTX
foreign exchange
PPTX
International Financial System
PPTX
PPTX
Ifm vs dfm
PDF
Forex Broker Business Plan
PPT
Fundamentals of foreign exchange market
PPTX
International Finance
PPTX
Global financial management
PPTX
International Finance
PPTX
International flow of funds
PPTX
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS
PPT
PPT
International banking
International finance
The Foreign Exchange (Forex) Market Explained: Dynamics, Participants and Tra...
Unit 1 international of financial management
41442008 bank-financial-management-caiib-new-syllubus
The economist guide to the financial markets
foreign exchange
International Financial System
Ifm vs dfm
Forex Broker Business Plan
Fundamentals of foreign exchange market
International Finance
Global financial management
International Finance
International flow of funds
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS
International banking
Ad

Viewers also liked (17)

PPTX
International business and its nature
PPTX
Introduction to Finance lecture 1
DOCX
International finance chapter1
PPT
11 international finance introduction
PPTX
Unit 1 Overview of International Business
PPTX
International Finance - Session 1
PPTX
International Business
PDF
Introduction to international finance
PPTX
International finance
PPTX
Ppt 01 introduction to international business
PPTX
International Business And Management
DOC
International Business -notes-complete
PPT
Finance powerpoint
PPTX
1. Introduction to International Business, Globalization and Trading Environm...
PPTX
International Business Management full notes
International business and its nature
Introduction to Finance lecture 1
International finance chapter1
11 international finance introduction
Unit 1 Overview of International Business
International Finance - Session 1
International Business
Introduction to international finance
International finance
Ppt 01 introduction to international business
International Business And Management
International Business -notes-complete
Finance powerpoint
1. Introduction to International Business, Globalization and Trading Environm...
International Business Management full notes
Ad

Similar to Intl fin (20)

PPTX
Presentation1
PDF
PDF
PPT
Global foreign exchange 1
PPTX
Foreign exchange market
PPTX
Foreign exchange market
PPTX
Foreign exchange market-final ppt(my)
DOCX
Foreign exchange management
PPT
Revised Chapter3 Jan 09
PPT
Revised Chapter3 Jan 09
PDF
Foreign CurrencyTrading pdf.pdf
PPT
Foreign exchange rate impact (1)
PDF
Chapter 7 Team 5.pdfhvjjnkllmj gvgkhvgvghbj
PPT
All about futures and options
PPTX
chapter 8.pptx
PDF
Arif finance
PDF
Introduction of foreign exchange market, characteristics,
PPTX
International Financial Markets for Business
PPTX
International business finance Foreign Exchange Markets
PPTX
Week 12 International Financial Market and Innovations.pptx
Presentation1
Global foreign exchange 1
Foreign exchange market
Foreign exchange market
Foreign exchange market-final ppt(my)
Foreign exchange management
Revised Chapter3 Jan 09
Revised Chapter3 Jan 09
Foreign CurrencyTrading pdf.pdf
Foreign exchange rate impact (1)
Chapter 7 Team 5.pdfhvjjnkllmj gvgkhvgvghbj
All about futures and options
chapter 8.pptx
Arif finance
Introduction of foreign exchange market, characteristics,
International Financial Markets for Business
International business finance Foreign Exchange Markets
Week 12 International Financial Market and Innovations.pptx

Recently uploaded (20)

PDF
NEW - FEES STRUCTURES (01-july-2024).pdf
PPTX
2025 Product Deck V1.0.pptxCATALOGTCLCIA
PDF
Charisse Litchman: A Maverick Making Neurological Care More Accessible
PPTX
Principles of Marketing, Industrial, Consumers,
PDF
ANALYZING THE OPPORTUNITIES OF DIGITAL MARKETING IN BANGLADESH TO PROVIDE AN ...
PDF
Booking.com The Global AI Sentiment Report 2025
PDF
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUILDING PASSIVE INCOME ONLINE
PDF
Introduction to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
PPTX
operations management : demand supply ch
PPTX
TRAINNING, DEVELOPMENT AND APPRAISAL.pptx
PDF
Comments on Crystal Cloud and Energy Star.pdf
PDF
BsN 7th Sem Course GridNNNNNNNN CCN.pdf
PDF
Outsourced Audit & Assurance in USA Why Globus Finanza is Your Trusted Choice
PPTX
Slide gioi thieu VietinBank Quy 2 - 2025
PDF
Solaris Resources Presentation - Corporate August 2025.pdf
PDF
Tata consultancy services case study shri Sharda college, basrur
PPTX
3. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE UNIIT 3^..pptx
PDF
Daniels 2024 Inclusive, Sustainable Development
PDF
Deliverable file - Regulatory guideline analysis.pdf
PDF
NewBase 12 August 2025 Energy News issue - 1812 by Khaled Al Awadi_compresse...
NEW - FEES STRUCTURES (01-july-2024).pdf
2025 Product Deck V1.0.pptxCATALOGTCLCIA
Charisse Litchman: A Maverick Making Neurological Care More Accessible
Principles of Marketing, Industrial, Consumers,
ANALYZING THE OPPORTUNITIES OF DIGITAL MARKETING IN BANGLADESH TO PROVIDE AN ...
Booking.com The Global AI Sentiment Report 2025
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUILDING PASSIVE INCOME ONLINE
Introduction to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
operations management : demand supply ch
TRAINNING, DEVELOPMENT AND APPRAISAL.pptx
Comments on Crystal Cloud and Energy Star.pdf
BsN 7th Sem Course GridNNNNNNNN CCN.pdf
Outsourced Audit & Assurance in USA Why Globus Finanza is Your Trusted Choice
Slide gioi thieu VietinBank Quy 2 - 2025
Solaris Resources Presentation - Corporate August 2025.pdf
Tata consultancy services case study shri Sharda college, basrur
3. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE UNIIT 3^..pptx
Daniels 2024 Inclusive, Sustainable Development
Deliverable file - Regulatory guideline analysis.pdf
NewBase 12 August 2025 Energy News issue - 1812 by Khaled Al Awadi_compresse...

Intl fin

  • 2. In previous finance courses you have been taught about general finance concepts that apply to domestic or local settings, BUT we live in an international world. Companies (and individuals) can raise funds, invest money, buy inputs, produce goods and sell products and services overseas. With these increased opportunities comes additional risks. We need to know how to identify these risks and then how to control or remove them.
  • 3. American consumers routinely purchase Oil imported from Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. TV sets and camcorders from Japan Automobiles from Germany Garments from China Shoes from Indonesia Pasta from Italy Wine from France
  • 4. Foreigners in return purchase American-made aircrafts, Software, Movies, Jeans, and other products. Continued liberalization of International trade is certain to further internationalize consumption patterns around the world.
  • 5. Like consumption, production of goods and services has also become highly globalized. MNCs efforts to source inputs and locate production anywhere in the world where costs are lower and profits are higher. E.g. IBM
  • 6. Financial Markets have also become Highly Integrated. e.g. Diversified Investment Portfolios. E.g. Japanese investors are investing heavily in U.S. and other Foreign financial Markets in efforts to recycle their enormous trade surpluses. Other examples- IBM, Sony etc.
  • 7. Dr. Reddy (A) GAIL (G) GRASIM Inds (G) ICICI Bank (A) Infosys Tech (A) ITC (G) L& T (G) M&M (G) SBI (G) Tata Comm (A)
  • 8. Foreign exchange risk E.g., an unexpected devaluation adversely affects your export market… Political risk E.g., an unexpected overturn of the government that jeopardizes existing negotiated contracts… Market imperfections E.g., trade barriers and tax incentives may affect location of production… Expanded opportunity sets E.g., raise funds in global markets, gains from economies of scale…
  • 9. Rapidly integrating markets have stretched firms across borders and increased the importance of foreign operations to firms around the world.
  • 10. What do finance practitioners need to know to operate in a global setting?
  • 11. Finance practitioners are faced with numerous questions that require well-developed intuitions from a domestic setting to be reinvented in an international setting. Rather than simply considering how to make aggregate capital structure and dividend decisions, CFOs must also wrestle with decisions regarding the capitalization and repatriation policies of their many subsidiaries.
  • 12. Capital budgeting decisions must not only reflect divisional differences but the complications introduced by currency, tax and country risks. Valuation decisions must now take into account how to value assets that are exposed to different country risks and currencies. Incentive compensations systems must consider how to measure and reward managers who are operating in very different economic and financial settings.
  • 13.  
  • 14.  
  • 15. How should subsidiaries be financed? How should repatriation policies be designed? How should investment opportunities in different countries be analyzed How should financial information be communicated inside the firm? When should ownership be shared? With whom
  • 16.  
  • 17.  
  • 18. International Financial Management Foreign Exchange & Derivatives Markets Sourcing Capital in Global Markets Managing FOREX Exposure Foreign Investment Decisions Multinational WCM
  • 19. Direct Quote Indirect Quote Devaluation Revaluation Depreciation Appreciation
  • 20. The Foreign Exchange Market The Foreign Exchange Market provides: The physical and institutional structure through which the money of one country is exchanged for that of another country The determination rate of exchange between currencies Is where foreign exchange transactions are physically completed
  • 21. The Foreign Exchange Market Foreign exchange means the money of a foreign country; that is, foreign currency bank balances, banknotes, checks and drafts. A foreign exchange transaction is an agreement between a buyer and a seller that a fixed amount of one currency will be delivered for some other currency at a specified date.
  • 22. Geography The foreign exchange market spans the globe, with prices moving and currencies trading somewhere every hour of every business day. As the next exhibit will illustrate, the volume of currency transactions ebbs and flows across the globe as the major currency trading centers open and close throughout the day.
  • 23. Exhibit 4.1 Measuring Foreign Exchange Market Activity: Average Electronic Conversations Per Hour Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “The Foreign Exchange Market in the United States,” 2001, www.ny.frb.org. Greenwich Mean Time Tokyo opens Asia closing 10 AM In Tokyo Afternoon in America London closing 6 pm In NY Americas open Europe opening Lunch In Tokyo
  • 24. Functions of the Foreign Exchange Market The foreign exchange Market is the mechanism by which participants: Transfer purchasing power between countries Obtain or provide credit for international trade transactions Minimize exposure to the risks of exchange rate changes
  • 25. Market Participants The foreign exchange market consists of two tiers: The interbank or wholesale market (multiples of $1MM US or equivalent in transaction size) The client or retail market (specific, smaller amounts) Five broad categories of participants operate within these two tiers; bank and nonbank foreign exchange dealers, individuals and firms, speculators and arbitragers, central banks and treasuries, and foreign exchange brokers.
  • 26. Bank and Nonbank Foreign Exchange Dealers Banks and a few nonbank foreign exchange dealers operate in both the interbank and client markets. The profit from buying foreign exchange at a “bid” price and reselling it at a slightly higher “offer” or “ask” price. Dealers in the foreign exchange department of large international banks often function as “market makers.” These dealers stand willing at all times to buy and sell those currencies in which they specialize and thus maintain an “inventory” position in those currencies.
  • 27. Individuals and Firms Individuals (such as tourists) and firms (such as importers, exporters and MNEs) conduct commercial and investment transactions in the foreign exchange market. Their use of the foreign exchange market is necessary but nevertheless incidental to their underlying commercial or investment purpose. Some of the participants use the market to “hedge” foreign exchange risk.
  • 28. Speculators and Arbitragers Speculators and arbitragers seek to profit from trading in the market itself. They operate in their own interest, without a need or obligation to serve clients or ensure a continuous market. While dealers seek the bid/ask spread, speculators seek all the profit from exchange rate changes and arbitragers try to profit from simultaneous exchange rate differences in different markets.
  • 29. Central Banks and Treasuries Central banks and treasuries use the market to acquire or spend their country’s foreign exchange reserves as well as to influence the price at which their own currency is traded. They may act to support the value of their own currency because of policies adopted at the national level or because of commitments entered into through membership in joint agreements such as the European Monetary System. The motive is not to earn a profit as such, but rather to influence the foreign exchange value of their currency in a manner that will benefit the interests of their citicizens. As willing loss takers, central banks and treasuries differ in motive from all other market participants.
  • 30. Foreign Exchange Brokers Foreign exchange brokers are agents who facilitate trading between dealers without themselves becoming principals in the transaction. For this service, they charge a commission. It is a brokers business to know at any moment exactly which dealers want to buy or sell any currency. Dealers use brokers for their speed, and because they want to remain anonymous since the identity of the participants may influence short term quotes.
  • 31. Transactions in the Interbank Market A Spot transaction in the interbank market is the purchase of foreign exchange, with delivery and payment between banks to take place, normally, on the second following business day. The date of settlement is referred to as the value date .
  • 32. Transactions in the Interbank Market An outright forward transaction (usually called just “forward”) requires delivery at a future value date of a specified amount of one currency for a specified amount of another currency. The exchange rate is established at the time of the agreement, but payment and delivery are not required until maturity. Forward exchange rates are usually quoted for value dates of one, two, three, six and twelve months. Buying Forward and Selling Forward describe the same transaction (the only difference is the order in which currencies are referenced.)
  • 33. Transactions in the Interbank Market A swap transaction in the interbank market is the simultaneous purchase and sale of a given amount of foreign exchange for two different value dates. Both purchase and sale are conducted with the same counterparty. Some different types of swaps are: Spot against forward Forward-Forward Nondeliverable Forwards (NDF)
  • 34. Market Size In April 2001, a survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) estimated the daily global net turnover in traditional foreign exchange market activity to be $1,210 billion. This was the first decline observed by the BIS since it began surveying banks on foreign currency trading in the 1980s.
  • 35. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotations A foreign exchange rate is the price of one currency expressed in terms of another currency. A foreign exchange quotation (or quote) is a statement of willingness to buy or sell at an announced rate.
  • 36. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotations Most foreign exchange transactions involve the US dollar. Professional dealers and brokers may state foreign exchange quotations in one of two ways: The foreign currency price of one dollar The dollar price of a unit of foreign currency Most foreign currencies in the world are stated in terms of the number of units of foreign currency needed to buy one dollar.
  • 37. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotations For example, the exchange rate between US dollars and the Swiss franc is normally stated: SF 1.6000/$ (European terms) However, this rate can also be stated as: $0.6250/SF (American terms) Excluding two important exceptions, most interbank quotations around the world are stated in European terms.
  • 38. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotations As mentioned, several exceptions exist to the use of European terms quotes. The two most important are quotes for the euro and U.K. pound sterling which are both normally quoted in American terms. American terms are also utilized in quoting rates for most foreign currency options and futures, as well as in retail markets that deal with toursists.
  • 39. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotations Foreign exchange quotes are at times described as either direct or indirect . In this pair of definitions, the home or base country of the currencies being discussed is critical. A direct quote is a home currency price of a unit of foreign currency. An indirect quote is a foreign currency price of a unit of home currency. The form of the quote depends on what the speaker regard as “home.”
  • 40. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotations Interbank quotations are given as a bid and ask (also referred to as offer). A bid is the price (i.e. exchange rate) in one currency at which a dealer will buy another currency. An ask is the price (i.e. exchange rate) at which a dealer will sell the other currency. Dealers bid (buy) at one price and ask (sell) at a slightly higher price, making their profit from the spread between the buying and selling prices. A bid for one currency is also the offer for the opposite currency.
  • 41. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotes Forward rates are typically quoted in terms of points. A forward quotation is expressed in points is not a foreign exchange rate as such. Rather, it is the difference between the forward rate and the spot rate.
  • 42. Foreign Exchange Rates and Quotes Forward quotations may also be expressed as the percent-per-annum deviation from the spot rate. This method of quotation facilitates comparing premiums or discounts in the forward market with interest rate differentials.