Math Problem Statement

Due to the integrated nature of their capital markets, investors in both the United States and the U.K. require the same real interest rate, 2.5 percent, on their lending. There is a consensus in capital markets that the annual inflation rate is likely to be 3.5 percent in the United States and 1.5 percent in the U.K. for the next three years. The spot exchange rate is currently $1.50 per £. ROUND ALL ANSWERS 4 DECIMALS

Required: Compute the nominal interest rate per annum in both the United States and the U.K., assuming that the Fisher effect holds. What is your expected future spot dollar-pound exchange rate in three years from now? Can you infer the forward dollar-pound exchange rate for one-year maturity?

Solution

1. Compute the Nominal Interest Rate in the U.S. and U.K. (Fisher Effect)

The Fisher Effect states that the nominal interest rate (ii) is the sum of the real interest rate (rr) and the expected inflation rate (π\pi):

i=r+πi = r + \pi

Given:

  • Real interest rate (rr) = 2.5% = 0.025
  • Inflation rate in the U.S. (πUS\pi_{US}) = 3.5% = 0.035
  • Inflation rate in the U.K. (πUK\pi_{UK}) = 1.5% = 0.015

U.S. Nominal Interest Rate (iUSi_{US}):

iUS=r+πUS=0.025+0.035=0.060 or 6.0%i_{US} = r + \pi_{US} = 0.025 + 0.035 = 0.060 \text{ or } 6.0\%

U.K. Nominal Interest Rate (iUKi_{UK}):

iUK=r+πUK=0.025+0.015=0.040 or 4.0%i_{UK} = r + \pi_{UK} = 0.025 + 0.015 = 0.040 \text{ or } 4.0\%

2. Expected Future Spot Exchange Rate in Three Years

The future spot exchange rate can be calculated using the concept of purchasing power parity (PPP). The formula for the expected future spot exchange rate is:

E[St]=S0×(1+πUS1+πUK)tE[S_t] = S_0 \times \left( \frac{1 + \pi_{US}}{1 + \pi_{UK}} \right)^t

Where:

  • S0S_0 = Current spot exchange rate = $1.50 per £
  • πUS\pi_{US} = U.S. inflation rate = 3.5% = 0.035
  • πUK\pi_{UK} = U.K. inflation rate = 1.5% = 0.015
  • tt = Time period = 3 years

E[S3]=1.50×(1+0.0351+0.015)3E[S_3] = 1.50 \times \left( \frac{1 + 0.035}{1 + 0.015} \right)^3

Let's calculate this.

E[S3]=1.50×(1.0351.015)3=1.50×(1.01971.015)3E[S_3] = 1.50 \times \left( \frac{1.035}{1.015} \right)^3 = 1.50 \times \left( \frac{1.0197}{1.015} \right)^3

E[S3]1.50×(1.0197)3E[S_3] \approx 1.50 \times \left(1.0197\right)^3

E[S3]1.50×1.0599=1.5898E[S_3] \approx 1.50 \times 1.0599 = 1.5898

Expected future spot exchange rate: E[S3]1.5898E[S_3] \approx 1.5898 (rounded to 4 decimal places).

3. Forward Dollar-Pound Exchange Rate for One-Year Maturity

Using the interest rate parity (IRP) formula:

F1=S0×1+iUS1+iUKF_1 = S_0 \times \frac{1 + i_{US}}{1 + i_{UK}}

Where:

  • F1F_1 = Forward exchange rate for one-year maturity
  • S0S_0 = Current spot exchange rate = $1.50 per £
  • iUSi_{US} = U.S. nominal interest rate = 6.0% = 0.060
  • iUKi_{UK} = U.K. nominal interest rate = 4.0% = 0.040

F1=1.50×1+0.0601+0.040=1.50×1.0601.040=1.50×1.0192=1.5288F_1 = 1.50 \times \frac{1 + 0.060}{1 + 0.040} = 1.50 \times \frac{1.060}{1.040} = 1.50 \times 1.0192 = 1.5288

Forward exchange rate: F11.5288F_1 \approx 1.5288 (rounded to 4 decimal places).


Summary of Results:

  1. U.S. Nominal Interest Rate: 6.0%6.0\%
  2. U.K. Nominal Interest Rate: 4.0%4.0\%
  3. Expected Future Spot Exchange Rate in 3 Years: 1.58981.5898 $/£
  4. Forward Exchange Rate for 1-Year Maturity: 1.52881.5288 $/£

Would you like more details on any of these calculations, or do you have any questions?

Related Questions:

  1. How does the Fisher Effect influence exchange rates in the long term?
  2. What are the implications of a higher U.S. inflation rate on international trade?
  3. How does purchasing power parity (PPP) relate to the Fisher Effect?
  4. What is the difference between nominal and real interest rates?
  5. How can forward exchange rates be used for hedging against currency risk?

Tip:

The Fisher Effect is a key concept in understanding how inflation expectations are embedded into nominal interest rates, and it plays a crucial role in international finance.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Fisher Effect
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
Interest Rate Parity (IRP)

Formulas

Nominal Interest Rate (i) = Real Interest Rate (r) + Expected Inflation Rate (π)
Expected Spot Exchange Rate E[S_t] = S_0 * ((1 + π_US) / (1 + π_UK))^t
Forward Exchange Rate F_1 = S_0 * (1 + i_US) / (1 + i_UK)

Theorems

Fisher Effect
Purchasing Power Parity
Interest Rate Parity

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate - Finance/Economics