1. Using any website like the Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/public/page/news-currency-currenciestrading.html), obtain quotes for foreign exchange rates for the Yen versus the US dollar, and answer the following questions.
a) What is the spot exchange rate for the US dollar vis-à-vis the yen?
b) Suppose one year ago, the spot exchange rate for the yen was ¥100/$. Comparing that to today's quote, has the US$ appreciated or depreciated? By what %?
c) Suppose you export 100,000,000 (100 million) yen worth of goods to Japan today (what is that worth at Monday's spot rate?) But your buyer will make the payment only 90 days from now. Suppose further that the buyer will make the payment in Japanese yen only.
- Suppose the actual exchange rate for the yen, 90 days from now, turns out to be ¥100/$. How many dollars will you get 90 days from now?
- Suppose the actual exchange rate for the yen, 90 days from now, turns out to be ¥120/$. How many dollars will you get 90 days from now?
- Suppose you are like me, a conservative old man, who does not like this exchange rate uncertainty. Is there anything you could do to get rid of the uncertainty?