Case Problem: Blades, Inc.
Case Problem: Blades, Inc. 1. One point of concern for you is that there is a tradeoff between the higher interest rates in Thailand and the delayed conversion of baht into dollars. Explain what this means.
ANSWER: If the net baht-denominated cash flows are converted into dollars today, Blades is not subject to any future depreciation of the baht that would result in less dollar cash flows.
2. If the net baht received from the Thailand operation are invested in Thailand, how will U.S. operations be affected? (Assume that Blades is currently paying 10 percent on dollars borrowed, and needs more financing for its firm.)
ANSWER: If the cash flows generated in Thailand are all used to support U.S. operations, then Blades will have to borrow additional funds in the U.S. (or the international money market) at an interest rate of 10 percent. For example, if the baht will depreciate by 10 percent over the next year, the Thai investment will render a yield of roughly 5 percent, while the company pays 10 percent interest on funds borrowed in the U.S. Since the funds could have been converted into dollars immediately and used in the U.S., the baht should probably be converted into dollars today to forgo the additional (expected) interest expenses that would be incurred from this action.
3. Construct a spreadsheet that compares the cash flows resulting from two plans. Under the first plan, net baht-denominated cash flows (received today) will be invested in Thailand at 15 percent for a one-year period, after which the baht will be converted to dollars. The expected spot rate for the baht in one year is about $0.022 (Ben Holt’s plan). Under the second plan, net baht-denominated cash flows are converted to dollars immediately and invested in the U.S. for one year at 8 percent. For this question, assume that all baht-denominated cash flows are due today. Does Holt’s plan seem superior in terms of dollar cash flows available after one year? Compare the
ANSWER: If the net baht-denominated cash flows are converted into dollars today, Blades is not subject to any future depreciation of the baht that would result in less dollar cash flows.
2. If the net baht received from the Thailand operation are invested in Thailand, how will U.S. operations be affected? (Assume that Blades is currently paying 10 percent on dollars borrowed, and needs more financing for its firm.)
ANSWER: If the cash flows generated in Thailand are all used to support U.S. operations, then Blades will have to borrow additional funds in the U.S. (or the international money market) at an interest rate of 10 percent. For example, if the baht will depreciate by 10 percent over the next year, the Thai investment will render a yield of roughly 5 percent, while the company pays 10 percent interest on funds borrowed in the U.S. Since the funds could have been converted into dollars immediately and used in the U.S., the baht should probably be converted into dollars today to forgo the additional (expected) interest expenses that would be incurred from this action.
3. Construct a spreadsheet that compares the cash flows resulting from two plans. Under the first plan, net baht-denominated cash flows (received today) will be invested in Thailand at 15 percent for a one-year period, after which the baht will be converted to dollars. The expected spot rate for the baht in one year is about $0.022 (Ben Holt’s plan). Under the second plan, net baht-denominated cash flows are converted to dollars immediately and invested in the U.S. for one year at 8 percent. For this question, assume that all baht-denominated cash flows are due today. Does Holt’s plan seem superior in terms of dollar cash flows available after one year? Compare the