... International Finance 1 - What are the implications of China’s exchange rate policy on doing business with and “against” China? For years, China’s currency was undervalued. Many analysts and economists estimated that the Chinese currency (Yuan) was undervalued by 35%. So, for years, China kept a higher exchange rate. By doing so, China has some advantages but also some disadvantages. First, by undervaluing its currency, China keeps the Yuan as a weak currency, (because you need more Yuan to buy a US dollar). By doing that, China was able to keep a competitive advantage over other countries such as the US. Their products were sold for a cheaper price compared to the US products. But even if there are advantages, there are also disadvantages to have a high exchange rate. By having an undervalued currency, importations become really expensive. In fact, by having a high exchange rate, due to the price of importations, the deficit of China is also increasing. After several calls, the 21st of July 2005, China revalued its exchange rate from 8.28 Yuan per U.S dollar to 8.11 Yuan per U.S dollar. It implied other consequences on doing business with and “against” China. 2 - How is China’s exchange rate policy linked to its development strategy? How would changes in exchange rate policy impact growth in China as well as the rest of the world? Is the current exchange rate policy sustainable in the long run? China has known a relatively fast economic growth, becoming one of...
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...1.0 Question a Explain sovereign risk. Broadly defined, sovereign risk refers to the risk that a host government or sovereign power will default on its payment obligations. For example, a host government or sovereign power may unilaterally repudiate its foreign obligations or many prevent local firms from honouring their foreign obligations. Sovereign risk reflects potential adverse effects resulting from a country’s political conditions. In other words, sovereign risk reflects the possibility that political conditions could prevent the counterparty in a swap agreement from meeting its payment obligations. Various political conditions could prevent the counterparty from meeting its obligation in the swap agreement. For example, the local government might take over the counterparty and then decide not to meet its payment obligations. Alternatively, the government might impose foreign exchange controls that prohibit the counterparty from making its payments. Sovereign risk differs from credit risk because it is dependent on the financial status of the government rather than the counterparty itself. A counterparty could have very low credit risk but conceivably be perceived as having high sovereign risk because of its government. It does not have control over some restrictions that are imposed by its government. Comment on the most common indicator of sovereign risk with current examples. Spain's Government Bond Yield for 10 Year Notes rallied 58 basis points during the last...
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...RMB as a Regional International Currency: Costbenefit Analysis and Roadmap Jing LI 1 Abstract With the rise of China, following the enhanced economic and trade relationship between China and Asian economies, and China’s increasing importance in the world economy, China’s national currency, the renminbi (RMB) will be getting global from Asia. As regional internationalization of RMB is doubleedged, in order to eliminate the financial risks brought by this process, maximize the benefits, it is necessary for China to consider the trade off between costs and benefits of RMB internationalization. RMB internationalization is a dynamic process, in accordance with the different level of the process, the phased strategy should be implemented, and the corresponding policies should be pursued too. Key word: RMB internationalization Cost and benefit Roadmap Introduction If you travel in the Asian region, you will notice that the Chinese renminbi is appearing more often in shops and restaurants, driven by the rapid growth in mainland tourist volumes. Will Chinese Renminbi be the next world currency? Since 2000, RMB internationalization has attracted great attention from the policymakers and the academics both at home and abroad. There is sizable RMB circulation in China’s neighboring countries and economies, even RMB can be fully convertible in some developed countries, some of neighboring countries and economies ...
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...penetration have been remarkable. While China was basically a closed economy 30 years ago, it is now the leading exporter to Japan, the second leading exporter to Europe, and the third leading exporter to the US. This surge in exports has been accompanied by growing trade imbalances between China and the rest of the world. China’s global current account surplus equaled 9% of Chinese GDP in 2006 and 11% of GDP in 2007 (Thorbecke & Smith, 2010). These surpluses are primarily with the US and Europe. Due to these factors, the exchange rate policy of China has attracted a great deal of attention in academic, industrial and political arenas. With the emerging China economy as the largest reserve country and the largest “world factory”, the Chinese renminbi (RMB) exchange rate has been the centre of ongoing debate over the source of global current account imbalance, especially with the United States (Sato, Shimizu, Shrestha & Zhang, 2012). Since the direct peg to the dollar was ended in 2005, the RMB has continued its appreciation about 6% per year and enhanced flexibility over the past 7 years. However, appreciation pressure on the RMB remains intense and it is still debatable whether and to what extent the current level of the RMB exchange rate is overvalued or undervalued. Issues Political Influences One of the main reasons for the appreciation pressure on the RMB is the US’ claim that the Chinese government has made the value of its currency artificially low by manipulating the...
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...BOFIT Discussion Papers 19 • 2011 Zhichao Zhang, Nan Shi and Xiaoli Zhang China’s new exchange rate regime, optimal basket currency and currency diversification Bank of Finland, BOFIT Institute for Economies in Transition BOFIT Discussion Papers Editor-in-Chief Laura Solanko BOFIT Discussion Papers 19/2011 23.7.2011 Zhichao Zhang, Nan Shi and Xiaoli Zhang: China’s new exchange rate regime, optimal basket currency and currency diversification ISBN 978-952- 462-714-6 ISSN 1456-5889 (online) This paper can be downloaded without charge from http://www.bof.fi/bofit Suomen Pankki Helsinki 2011 BOFIT- Institute for Economies in Transition Bank of Finland BOFIT Discussion Papers 19/2011 Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Tiivistelmä ........................................................................................................................................... 4 1 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5 Theoretical model ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 3 Policy goal .................................................................................................................... 12 Trade...
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...------------------------------------------------- Balance of payments From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Balance of payments (BoP) accounts are an accounting record of all monetary transactions between a country and the rest of the world.[1] These transactions include payments for the country's exports and imports of goods, services, financial capital, and financial transfers. The BOP accounts summarize international transactions for a specific period, usually a year, and are prepared in a single currency, typically the domestic currency for the country concerned. Sources of funds for a nation, such as exports or the receipts ofloans and investments, are recorded as positive or surplus items. Uses of funds, such as for imports or to invest in foreign countries, are recorded as negative or deficit items. When all components of the BOP accounts are included they must sum to zero with no overall surplus or deficit. For example, if a country is importing more than it exports, its trade balance will be in deficit, but the shortfall will have to be counterbalanced in other ways – such as by funds earned from its foreign investments, by running down central bank reserves or by receiving loans from other countries. While the overall BOP accounts will always balance when all types of payments are included, imbalances are possible on individual elements of the BOP, such as the current account, the capital account excluding the central bank's reserve account, or the sum of the two...
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...China and the Esquel Group China and the Esquel Group In response to criticism of it pegging the Yuan to the US dollar, China recently implemented steps toward liberalizing its exchange rate policy; however, a floating Yuan has created uncertainty concerning its impact on China’s economy. While it is likely that allowing the Yuan to appreciate against the US dollar will result in undesirable impacts for China such as deflation, a reduction of foreign direct investment (FDI), and a decline in exports, we believe China will, and should, continue a tempered liberalization of its exchange rate policy. This is necessitated by the potential consequences China faces both politically and economically by not moving towards a floating rate. Politically, China will continue to absorb the majority of the blame for foreign countries’ rising trade deficits, spawning potential legislation dictating import quotas on Chinese products. Economically, a fixed exchange rate will continue to plague China by its dependence on exports and increase its risk of being able to maintain the value of its portfolio of foreign reserves, most notably the United States dollar. It is our belief that these risks outweigh the benefits of China continuing business as usual. As such, the Esquel Group should devise operational strategies that mitigate the risks of an appreciating Yuan, which include diversifying revenue streams by implementing a textile import division, pursuing growth in domestic textile...
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...Greece, we ought to distinguish monetary flows within the country from those across borders. They entail different accounting records, liabilities and problems. And within the country, let's focus on one very special economic agent, the government, the revenues of which normally come from taxes. * Within the country: the Greek government kept its economic policy which consisted in spending more than it received from taxes and minor state entrepreneurial activities, and, in the past, printing drachmas to make up for its budget deficits. It amounts to a fiscal and monetary policy where tax revenues are produced with the printing press (producing bank notes or bonds). Some countries prefer this system to price stability, which has other advantages and drawbacks. * Across Greek borders (1): The Greek government began to borrow euros...
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...gift card packaging was a highly competitive business. The manufacturing process was relatively simple and capital requirements were not large. Because design, price, and functionality were so important to consumers, competitive pressures on smaller firms were intensified by the existence of a number of large international manufacturers. These large manufacturers had ample financial resources to employ in elaborate product development, supplier support, and advertising programs. However, since the concept of packaging a “gift card” is relatively new PAC, being one of the few early movers in this industry, was able to obtain a few design and utility patents related to packaging gift cards in tin boxes. Holding these patents gave PAC an advantage that eliminated some of...
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...EXORBITANT PRIVILEGE EXORBITANT PRIVILEGE The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the Future of the International Monetary System Barry Eichengreen Oxford University Press, Inc., publishes works that further Oxford University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education. Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto With offices in Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore South Korea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam Copyright © 2011 by Barry Eichengreen Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 www.oup.com Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Oxford University Press. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Eichengreen, Barry J. Exorbitant privilege : The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the Future of the International Monetary System / Barry Eichengreen. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-19-975378-9 1. Money—United States—History—20th century. 2. Devaluation of currency—United States—History—21st century. 3. United States—Economic...
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...The current economic situation has divided opinion on the use of trade protectionism.’ Discuss. ECONOMIC CRISIS AND PROTECTIONISM: A DISCUSSION Introduction First and foremost to logically explore the question at hand, the meaning of trade protectionism must be fully comprehended, according to Amadeo (2012) “Trade protectionism is used by countries when they think their industries are being damaged by unfair competition by other countries” The fundamental commotion of the pre-Great Recession on the economic order that was based on the assumption of inherent value of unlimited trade and capital flows has led to the new emergence of debate on trade protectionism as the means of combating the present crisis. In particular, the European Union (EU) nations have seen increasing calls for the implementation of the more protectionist economic policies. However, given the integrated and interconnected nature of both modern and specific national economies, one may note that protectionist policies would be more likely to hurt economic recovery and contribute to the sharpening of international trade contradictions. This paper presents an account of both parties’ argument, with the recourse to respective quantitative data, in order to substantiate the claim on infeasibility of treating protectionism as a cure for global and European economies’ maladies. The Impact of Protectionism on Crisis and Post-Crisis Developments According to Henn & McDonald (2011), trade protectionist...
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...BOFIT Discussion Papers 15 • 2011 John Knight and Wei Wang China's macroeconomic imbalances: Causes and consequences Bank of Finland, BOFIT Institute for Economies in Transition BOFIT Discussion Papers Editor-in-Chief Laura Solanko BOFIT Discussion Papers 15/2011 20.06.2011 John Knight and Wei Wang: China's macroeconomic imbalances: Causes and consequences ISBN 978-952-462-711-5 ISSN 1456-5889 (online) This paper can be downloaded without charge from http://www.bof.fi/bofit. Suomen Pankki Helsinki 2011 BOFIT- Institute for Economies in Transition Bank of Finland BOFIT Discussion Papers 15/ 2011 Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ iii Tiivistelmä ........................................................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 2. China’s macroeconomic imbalances ................................................................................. 2 3. China’s external imbalance ............................................................................................. 14 4. Reviewing the export surplus .......................................................................................... 22 5. The external surplus and foreign exchange reserves .......
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...Globalization and China’s Economic and Financial Development (Preliminary draft– not to be quoted 9/8/05) Gregory C. Chow To understand China’s economic reform and development since 1978 one may conveniently divide the topic into its domestic and international aspects even though the two are closely related. It is the purpose of this essay to examine the international aspects as China has taken part in the process of world economic globalization, a salient feature of world history today. The Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping who initiated and directed economic reform from a planned to a market economy understood the importance of globalization and adopted what he called an “open-door policy” as an essential part of the reform program. The term globalization refers to the crossing of national boundaries. It means the flow of goods, capital, information/technology and people across national borders. China practiced globalization in the Han dynasty (206BC-220AD) when trade took place between the Han Chinese and neighboring people in the North-west through the Silk Route. During the Tang dynasty (618-901) trade flourished and the Silk Route expanded as Chinese traded with the Romans. However, in the Qing Dynasty and in the period of the PRC up to Deng Xiaoping’s open-door policy China tried to close its doors and resisted globalization. I will survey the accomplishments of globalization for China’s...
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...Connecting customers to opportunities for 150 years HSBC Holdings plc Strategic Report 2014 Overview 1 1 2 3 4 7 t Who we are Our purpose Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements Highlights Group Chairman’s Statement Group Chief Executive’s Review Strategic objectives 9 Value creation and long-term sustainability 10 HSBC Values 11 Our strategy Business model 12 Market presence 13 Organisation 15 Governance 16 Global businesses 18 Employees 21 Risk overview Strategic priorities 26 Grow the business and dividends 26 Implement Global Standards 28 Streamline processes and procedures Outcomes 28 Financial performance 34 Remuneration 36 Sustainability Directors 40 Directors Supplementary information 42 Status of the Strategic Report 2014 42 Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts 2014 42 Shareholder enquiries and communications 43 Report of the auditor The Strategic Report 2014 forms part of the Annual Report and Accounts 2014 for HSBC Holdings plc and is not the Group’s statutory accounts. It does not contain the Report of the Directors and it does not contain sufficient information to allow as full an understanding of the results and state of affairs of the Group and of its policies and arrangements concerning Directors’ remuneration as would be provided by the full Annual Report and Accounts 2014. Additional information, including commentary on 2013 compared with 2012, may be found in the...
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...Question 1 1. Evolution of RMB against USD, EUR and JPY. Figure 1 Figure 1 represents movement between the nominal and real exchange rates of Chinese renminbi (RMB) against US dollar (USD) between from January 2005 to December 2013. It shows that the nominal exchange rate of RMB/USD is higher than the real exchange rate throughout the period of observation indicating that the RMB is undervalued. This clarifies that the USD is buying more RMB in nominal terms than it should be in real terms. The increase in nominal exchange rate of RMB/USD is termed as a nominal depreciation of the currency after de-pegging whereas the real exchange rate of RMB/USD continues depreciating in the years of observation as shown in Appendix 2. It also shows that the RMB was depreciating against USD in every quarter after de-pegging. Table 1 compiles the average quarterly percentage of over-or-undervaluation of the RMB against USD, euro (EUR) and the Japanese yen (JPY) from January 2005 till December 2013. Before the de-pegging, the RMB was found to be overvalued by of 1.19% against the USD in January 2005 then it was discovered to be undervalued since March 2005 by 0.58%. The RMB continues being undervalued against the USD and reached its highest percentage at 28.49% in March 2013. By December 2013, the RMB was still undervalued by 28.35% against USD. Overall, the RMB was overvalued against the USD by 16.94% in the period of observation. Figure 2 Figure 2 demonstrates movement of the nominal...
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