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Multinational Business Finance, 15e (Eiteman/Stonehill/Moffett)
Chapter 8 Interest Risk and Swaps
2) Historically, interest rate movements have shown less variability and greater stability than
exchange rate movements.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.1 Interest Rate Foundations
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
3) Some of the world's largest and most financially sound firms may borrow at variable rates less
than LIBOR.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.1 Interest Rate Foundations
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
4) The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is published under the auspices of the British
Bankers Association. A panel of 16 major multinational banks self-report their actual borrowing
rate.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.1 Interest Rate Foundations
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
1
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
5) Interest rate calculations differ by the number of days used in the period's calculation and in
the definition of how many days there are in a year (for financial purposes). One of the practices
is to use 260 business days in a year.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.1 Interest Rate Foundations
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
1) ________ is the possibility that the borrower's creditworthiness is reclassified by the lender at
the time of renewing credit. ________ is the risk of changes in interest rates charged at the time a
financial contract rate is set.
A) Credit risk; Interest rate risk
B) Repricing risk; Credit risk
C) Interest rate risk; Credit risk
D) Credit risk; Repricing risk
Answer: D
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.2 The Cost of Debt
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
3) The basis point spreads between credit ratings dramatically rise for borrowers of credit
qualities less than BBB.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.2 The Cost of Debt
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
2
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
4) Sovereign credit risk is the global financial market's assessment of the ability of a sovereign
borrower to repay USD denominated debt.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.2 The Cost of Debt
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
5) For a corporate borrower, it is especially important to distinguish between credit risk and
repricing risk. Explain both types of risks.
Answer: Credit risk, sometimes termed roll-over risk, is the possibility that a borrower's
creditworthiness at the time of renewing a credit — its credit rating — is reclassified by the
lender. This can result in changing fees, changing interest rates, altered credit line commitments,
or even denial. Repricing risk is the risk of changes in interest rates charged (earned) at the time
a financial contract's rate is reset. A borrower that is renewing a credit will face current market
conditions on the base rate used for financing, a true floating-rate.
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.2 The Cost of Debt
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Instruction 8.1:
For the following problem(s), consider these debt strategies being considered by a corporate
borrower. Each is intended to provide $1,000,000 in financing for a three-year period.
• Strategy #1: Borrow $1,000,000 for three years at a fixed rate of interest of 7%.
• Strategy #2: Borrow $1,000,000 for three years at a floating rate of LIBOR + 2%, to be reset
annually. The current LIBOR rate is 3.50%
• Strategy #3: Borrow $1,000,000 for one year at a fixed rate, and then renew the credit
annually. The current one-year rate is 5%.
3
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
2) Refer to Instruction 8.1. Choosing strategy #2 will:
A) guarantee the lowest average annual rate over the next three years.
B) eliminate credit risk but retain repricing risk.
C) maintain the possibility of lower interest costs, but maximizes the combined credit and
repricing risks.
D) preclude the possibility of sharing in lower interest rates over the three-year period.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
4) Refer to Instruction 8.1. Which strategy (strategies) will eliminate credit risk?
A) Strategy #1
B) Strategy #2
C) Strategy #3
D) Strategies #1 and #2
Answer: D
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
5) Refer to Instruction 8.1. If your firm felt very confident that interest rates would fall or, at
worst, remain at current levels, and were very confident about the firm's credit rating for the next
10 years, which strategy would you likely choose? (Assume your firm is borrowing money.)
A) Strategy #3
B) Strategy #2
C) Strategy #1
D) Strategy #1, #2, or #3; you are indifferent among the choices.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
4
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
6) Refer to Instruction 8.1. The risk of strategy #1 is that interest rates might go down or that
your credit rating might improve. The risk of strategy #2 is: (Assume your firm is borrowing
money.)
A) that interest rates might go down or that your credit rating might improve.
B) that interest rates might go up or that your credit rating might improve.
C) that interest rates might go up or that your credit rating might get worse.
D) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
7) Refer to Instruction 8.1. The risk of strategy #1 is that interest rates might go down or that
your credit rating might improve. The risk of strategy #3 is: (Assume your firm is borrowing
money.)
A) that interest rates might go down or that your credit rating might improve.
B) that interest rates might go up or that your credit rating might improve.
C) that interest rates might go up or that your credit rating might get worse.
D) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
8) Refer to Instruction 8.1. After the fact, under which set of circumstances would you prefer
strategy #1? (Assume your firm is borrowing money.)
A) Your credit rating stayed the same and interest rates went up.
B) Your credit rating stayed the same and interest rates went down.
C) Your credit rating improved and interest rates went down.
D) Not enough information to make a judgment.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Analytical thinking
5
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
9) Refer to Instruction 8.1. After the fact, under which set of circumstances would you prefer
strategy #2? (Assume your firm is borrowing money.)
A) Your credit rating stayed the same and interest rates went up.
B) Your credit rating stayed the same and interest rates went down.
C) Your credit rating improved and interest rates went down.
D) Not enough information to make a judgment.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
10) Refer to Instruction 8.1. After the fact, under which set of circumstances would you prefer
strategy #3? (Assume your firm is borrowing money.)
A) Your credit rating stayed the same and interest rates went up.
B) Your credit rating stayed the same and interest rates went down.
C) Your credit rating improved and interest rates went down.
D) Not enough information to make a judgment.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
11) Unlike the situation with exchange rate risk, there is no uncertainty on the part of
management for shareholder preferences regarding interest rate risk. Shareholders prefer that
managers hedge interest rate risk rather than having shareholders diversify away such risk
through portfolio diversification.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.3 Interest Rate Risk
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
3) The financial manager of a firm has a variable rate loan outstanding. If she wishes to protect
the firm against an unfavorable increase in interest rates she could:
A) sell an interest rate futures contract of a similar maturity to the loan.
B) buy an interest rate futures contract of a similar maturity to the loan.
C) swap the adjustable rate loan for another of a different maturity.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.4 Interest Rate Futures and FRAs
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
4) If a financial manager with an interest liability on a future date were to sell Futures and
interest rates end up going up, the position outcome would be:
A) Futures price falls; short earns a profit.
B) Futures price rises; short earns a loss.
C) Future price falls; long earns a loss.
D) Futures price rises; long earns a profit.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.4 Interest Rate Futures and FRAs
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
5) If a financial manager with an interest liability on a future date were to sell Futures and
interest rates end up going down, the position outcome would be:
A) Futures price falls; short earns a profit.
B) Futures price rises; short earns a loss.
C) Future price falls; long earns a loss.
D) Futures price rises; long earns a profit.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.4 Interest Rate Futures and FRAs
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
7
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
6) If a financial manager earning interest on a future date were to buy Futures and interest rates
end up going up, the position outcome would be:
A) Futures price falls; short earns a profit.
B) Futures price rises; short earns a loss.
C) Future price falls; long earns a loss.
D) Futures price rises; long earns a profit.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.4 Interest Rate Futures and FRAs
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
7) If a financial manager earning interest on a future date were to buy Futures and interest rates
end up going down, the position outcome would be:
A) Futures price falls; short earns a profit.
B) Futures price rises; short earns a loss.
C) Future price falls; long earns a loss.
D) Futures price rises; long earns a profit.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.4 Interest Rate Futures and FRAs
Skill: Analytical
AACSB: Analytical thinking
8) Interest rate futures are relatively unpopular among financial managers because of their
relative illiquidity and their difficulty of use.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.4 Interest Rate Futures and FRAs
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
8
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
10) Your firm is faced with paying a variable rate debt obligation with the expectation that
interest rates are likely to go up. Identify two strategies using interest rate futures and interest
rate swaps that could reduce the risk to the firm.
Answer: Sell a futures position. If rates change the payoff from the futures position offsets the
gain or loss on the variable rate debt obligation. Swap a variable rate debt obligation for a fixed
futures payable contract.
Diff: 3
L.O.: 8.4 Interest Rate Futures and FRAs
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
1) An agreement to swap a fixed interest payment for a floating interest payment would be
considered a/an:
A) currency swap.
B) forward swap.
C) interest rate swap.
D) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
2) An agreement to exchange interest payments based on a fixed payment for those based on a
variable rate (or vice versa) is known as a/an:
A) forward rate agreement.
B) interest rate future.
C) interest rate swap.
D) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
3) An agreement to swap the currencies of a debt service obligation would be termed a/an:
A) currency swap.
B) forward swap.
C) interest rate swap.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
9
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
4) Which of the following would be considered an example of a currency swap?
A) exchanging a dollar interest obligation for a British pound obligation
B) exchanging a eurodollar interest obligation for a dollar obligation
C) exchanging a eurodollar interest obligation for a British pound obligation
D) All of the above are examples of a currency swap.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
5) A firm with fixed-rate debt that expects interest rates to fall may engage in a swap agreement
to:
A) pay fixed-rate interest and receive floating rate interest.
B) pay floating rate and receive fixed rate.
C) pay fixed rate and receive fixed rate.
D) pay floating rate and receive floating rate.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
6) A firm with variable-rate debt that expects interest rates to rise may engage in a swap
agreement to:
A) pay fixed-rate interest and receive floating rate interest.
B) pay floating rate and receive fixed rate.
C) pay fixed rate and receive fixed rate.
D) pay floating rate and receive floating rate.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
7) The interest rate swap strategy of a firm with fixed rate debt and that expects rates to go up is
to:
A) do nothing.
B) pay floating and receive fixed.
C) receive floating and pay fixed.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
10
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
8) Which of the following is an unlikely reason for firms to participate in the swap market?
A) To replace cash flows scheduled in an undesired currency with cash flows in a desired
currency.
B) Firms may raise capital in one currency but desire to repay it in another currency.
C) Firms desire to swap fixed and variable payment or receipt of funds.
D) All of the above are likely reasons for a firm to enter the swap market.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
9) The potential exposure that any individual firm bears that the second party to any financial
contract will be unable to fulfill its obligations under the contract is called:
A) interest rate risk.
B) credit risk.
C) counterparty risk.
D) clearinghouse risk.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
10) A swap agreement may involve currencies or interest rates, but never both.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
11) One of the reasons companies use interest rate swaps is because they pursue a target debt
structure that combines maturity, currency of composition, and fixed/floating pricing.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
12) One of the reasons companies use interest rate swaps is because they are interested in
opportunities to lower the cost of their debt.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
11
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
13) Counterparty risk is greater for exchange-traded derivatives than for over-the-counter
derivatives.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
14) Swap rates are derived from the yield curves in each major currency.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
15) A firm entering into a currency or interest rate swap agreement holds no responsibility for
the timely servicing of its own debt obligations since that responsibility now is born by the
second party to the contract.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
16) The real exposure of an interest or currency swap is not the total notional principal, but the
mark-to-market values of differentials in interest or currency interest payments since the
inception of the swap agreement.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Recognition
AACSB: Application of knowledge
17) Your firm is faced with paying a variable rate debt obligation with the expectation that
interest rates are likely to go up. Identify two strategies using interest rate futures and interest
rate swaps that could reduce the risk to the firm.
Answer: Sell a futures position. If rates change the payoff from the futures position offsets the
gain or loss on the variable rate debt obligation. Swap a variable rate debt obligation for a fixed
futures payable contract.
Diff: 3
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
12
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
18) How does counterparty risk influence a firm's decision to trade exchange-traded derivatives
rather than over-the-counter derivatives?
Answer: With exchange-traded derivatives, the exchange is the clearinghouse. Thus, firms do
not need to worry about the other party making good on its obligations and it is easier to trade
the derivative products.
Diff: 3
L.O.: 8.5 Interest Rate Swaps
Skill: Conceptual
AACSB: Application of knowledge
13
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Kaikkien näiden vuosien jälkeen se oli uskomatonta, ikäänkuin olisi
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Hänen teki mielensä kysyä sitä suoraan, mutta tarkemmin
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— nyt hänen oli vain autettava neiti Cravenia tasaantumaan
normaaliseen tilaansa. Ja sitä varten hänen oli unohdettava puolet
siitä, mihin toisen sanat tuntuivat tähtäävän. Hän tunsi selvästi,
kuinka masentunut nainen oli, hän ei saisi virkkaa mitään, mikä olisi
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tunteettomalta kuin liian sydämellisesti ottaa osaa pelkoon, jonka
muistaminen, siitä hän oli varma, rauhallisempana hetkenä
harmittaisi toista itseään. Neiti Craven ei ikinä antaisi sitä itselleen
anteeksi — mitä vähemmin hänellä olisi unohdettavaa, sen parempi.
Hän luotti mieheen. Siitä Peters oli varma ja oli ylpeä hänen
luottamuksestaan. He olivat aina olleet ystävyksiä, mutta nyt neiti
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herättämään väittelyä. Vihdoin hän alkoi puhua, tyynesti, haluamatta
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toisen vavahtelevat sormet isoon, vankkaan käteensä.
»En usko, että on mitään aihetta — mitään järkisyytä epäillä
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aikaa, pukeutuu hänen isäntäänsä kohtaan tuntemansa kiintymys
silmäänpistävämpiin muotoihin kuin englantilaisten miespalvelijani
keskuudessa on tavallista. En jaksa uskoa, että hänellä on mitään
pahaa mielessä. Hän on ollut Barryn palveluksessa jo kauan —
oletko niinä monina kertoina, jolloin hän on isäntänsä kanssa
majaillut luonasi Lontoossa, huomannut hänen käytöksessään
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Mutta se oli lausuttava julki, eikä hän ehkä milloinkaan saisi tämän
suotuisempaa tilaisuutta. Hän rohkaisi itseään, ja virkkoi empien:
»Etkö sinä voisi järjestää jotakin, täti Caro? Pidät Gillianista hyvin
paljon, kaipaisit hänen seuraansa hirveästi; etkö voisi saada häntä
uskomaan, että hän on sinulle välttämätön — että hän saattaisi
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innokkaaksi. Ja ällistyneenä tädin äänettömyydestä hän pyörähti
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Hän oli hellinyt toivetta, joka oli syntynyt kohta heidän palattuaan
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sen, tuntien avuttomuutensa.
»Hyvä Jumala», kivahti hän rajusti, »et tiedä, mitä sanot!» Neiti
Cravenin sydäntä vihloi, ja nopeasti hän käänsi katseensa pois
veljenpojan tuskaisista kasvoista. Mutta hän pysyi vankkana, tuntien,
että peräytyminen oli nyt mahdotonta.
»En voi kertoa sinulle mitään», vastasi hän koleasti, »en selittää
mitään. Sen vain voin ilmaista, että Jaappanissa sain kestää helvetin
tuskia. En halua myötätuntoa — se oli omaa syytäni, omaa tekoani…
Äsken käyttäydyin kuin narri, en ollut varuillani, sanasi yllättivät
minut. Unohda se! Et tee minulle hyvää muistelemalla sitä.»