Question

True or False:

It is possible for a firm to purchase complete insurance against the risks that arise from changes in exchange rates in the foreign exchange market.

Answer 1

There is such a thing as "hedging" but that is not a sure thing against the fluctuations in exchange rates:

A method for hedging an investor against a currency risk associated with a purchase of a security having a value, the investor having purchased the security in a foreign currency and the investor desiring to receive the proceeds from a sale of the security in a home currency. The foreign currency and home currency have an exchange rate at the time of the purchase and an exchange rate at the time of the sale. The method includes the steps of receiving a request for hedging against the currency risk for a time period. Next, a cost is calculated for hedging against the currency risk based on the foreign currency, the home currency, the exchange rate at the time of the purchase, the value and the time period. Next, the investor is provided with the proceeds from the sale based on the exchange rate at the time of the sale if the exchange rate at the time of the sale is greater than the exchange rate at the time of the purchase. Finally, the investor is provided with the proceeds from the sale based on the exchange rate at the time of the purchase if the exchange rate at the time of the purchase is greater than or equal to the exchange rate at the time of the sale.

Sra