Export financing starts after the order from the buyer has been received, the export order has bee accepted, manufacturing for the export order begins, and the shipping documents are issued; and it ends at ports when the goods are cleared. In other words, export finance refers to the financing of the goods from the home port to the foreign port and the inland centers, and remittances accruing from the sale of these goods. Financing of exports is a specialized business demanding the operations of institutions that are engaged in it and have special skills in handling the intricacies of foreign exchange transactions, a network of contracts abroad and a willingness to assume the risks peculiar to it. It follows, therefore, that good financing arrangements are a prerequisite for the success of the export trade. In export trade, where business dealings are carried on between parties who may be separated by Continue reading
International Business Finance
Types of Letters of Credit
A Letter of Credit (L/C) or documentary credit is an undertaking issued by a bank, on behalf of the buyer (the importer), to the seller (exporter), to pay for the goods and services, provided that the seller presents documents, which comply with the terms and conditions of the letter of credit. Letters of credit are classified in to various categories on the basis of their nature which are used depending on the needs of the importer/opener. Revocable Letter of Credit: A revocable L/C is one that can be amended or cancelled at anytime by the issuing bank without the notice or reference to the beneficiary, consequently, revocable credit does not constitute a legally binding undertaking between the banks and the beneficiary as it can be modified or cancelled at any time without notice to the Beneficiary. Irrevocable Letter of Credit: An irrevocable L/C constitutes a definite undertaking of the issuing Continue reading
Interest Rate Parity (IRP) Theory of Exchange Rate
When Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) Theory applies to product markets, Interest Rate Parity (IRP) condition applies to financial markets. Interest Rate Parity (IRP) theory postulates that the forward rate differential in the exchange rate of two currencies would equal the interest rate differential between the two countries. Thus it holds that the forward premium or discount for one currency relative to another should be equal to the ratio of nominal interest rate on securities of equal risk (and duration) denominated in two currencies. For example, where the interest rate in India and US are respectively 10% and 6% and the dollar-rupees spot exchange rate is Rs.42.50/US $. The 90 day forward exchange rate would be calculated as per IRP as follows: = 42.50 (1+0.10/4)/(1+0.06/4) = Rs.42.9250 And hence, the forward rate differential [forward premium (p)] will be; (42.9250 — 42.50)/42.50 = 1% And the interest rate differential will be; Continue reading
Global Financial Markets
The financial markets of the world consist of sources of finance, and uses for finance, in a number of different countries. Each of these is a capital market on its own. On the other hand, national capital markets are partially linked and partially segmented. National capital markets are of very different stages of development and size and depth, they have very different prices and availability of capital. Hence, the international financier has great opportunities for arbitrage — finding the cheapest source of funds, and the highest return, without adding to risk. It is because markets are imperfectly linked, the means and channels by which foreigners enter domestic capital markets and domestic sources or users of funds go abroad, are the essence of this aspect of international financial management. The other aspect is the fact that domestic claims and liabilities are denominated in national currencies. These must be exchanged for another Continue reading