Krystal is a U.S.-based company that manufactures, sells, and installs water purification equipment. On April 11, the company sold a system to the City of Nagasaki, Japan, for installation in Nagasaki's famous Glover Gardens (where Puccini's Madame Butterfly waited for the return of Lt. Pinkerton). The sale was priced in yen at

24,000,000, with payment due in three months. The exchange rate and interest rate data are shown in the popup window:

Spot exchange rate:117.709

1-month forward rate:117.2464.74%

3-month forward:116.3224.77%

1-year forward:112.2794.84%

Money RatesUnited StatesJapanDifferential

One month4.8750%0.09500%4.78000%

Three months4.9125%0.10000%4.81250%

Twelve months5.4125%0.32000%5.09250%

. Note that the interest rate differentials vary slightly from the forward discounts on the yen because of time differences for the quotes. The spot 17.709/$, for example, is a mid-point range. On April 11, the spot yen traded in London from 118.516/$ to 116.902/$. Krystal's Japanese competitors are currently borrowing yen from Japanese banks at a spread of two percentage points above the Japanese money rate. Krystal's weighted average cost of capital is 16.5%, and the company wishes to protect the dollar value of this receivable.

3-month options are available from Kyushu Bank: call option on 24,000,000 at exercise price of 117.000 / $: a 1.6% premium; or a put option on 24,000,000, at exercise price of 117.000/$: a 3.43.4% premium.

a. What are the costs and benefits of alternative hedges? Which would you recommend, and why?

b. What is the break-even reinvestment rate when comparing forward and money market alternatives?

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a. How much in U.S. dollars will Krystal receive in 3 months without a hedge if the expected spot rate in 3 months is assumed to be yen117.709/$?