Question

Apple, whose global sales are generally dollar denominated, finds it has excess cash of $150,000,000,000, which it can invest for up to three years. It has determined that its best options are either a three-year Euro-dollar ($) deposit paying 1.65% or a three-year Yen denominated deposit paying 0.65% since it expects the Yen to appreciate 1% per annum against the dollar over the next three years. Using cash flow analysis determine the best currency option in which Apple should invest. Be sure to show your complete calculations of the annual return on each investment possibility at the end of the three-year term. Assume that the annual interest amount is reinvested, i.e. compounds, at the same annual interest rate. Would your answer change if Apple revised its outlook for the Yen to appreciate 1.1% per year? Show all calculations!

Answer 1

FV at the end of 3 years for euro - dollar deposit at 1.65%
= 150 000 000 000*(1+ 0.0165)^3 = 157,548,186,318.75 ($)

FV at the end of 3 years for yen denominated deposit at 0.65%
= 150 000 000 000*E*(1+ 0.0065)^3 = 152,944,053,693.25*E
(E is exchange rate 0)

E3, exchange rate at year 3 = E/(1+0.01)^3 = 0.97059 E

FV in dollars for yen deposit = 152,944,053,693.25*E /0.97059 E = 157,578,435,480.73 ($)

Hence yen dominated deposit is advisable to invest.

If yen appriciated by 1.1% per year, yen dominated deposit will be more attractive and outlook will not change.