Deck 1: Multinational Financial Management: an Overview

Question 1

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act improves corporate governance of MNCs because it:

A) makes executives more accountable for verifying financial statements
B) eliminates stock options as a form of compensation
C) ties executive compensation to firm performance
D) places a limit on the amount of funds that managers can spend

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following theories suggests that firms seek to penetrate new markets over time?

A) theory of comparative advantage.
B) imperfect markets theory.
C) product cycle theory.
D) none of the above

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following industries would most likely take advantage of lower costs in some less developed foreign countries?

A) assembly line production.
B) specialized professional services.
C) nuclear missile planning.
D) planning for more sophisticated computer technology.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Licensing is the process by which a firm provides its technology (copyrights, patents, trademarks, or trade names) in exchange for fees or some other specified benefits.

Question 5

Franchising is the process by which national governments sell state owned operations to corporations and other investors.

Question 6

Which of the following theories identifies specialization as a reason for international business?

A) theory of comparative advantage.
B) imperfect markets theory.
C) product cycle theory.
D) none of the above

Question 7

The valuation of an MNC should rise when an event causes the expected cash flows from foreign to ____ and when foreign currencies denominating these cash flows are expected to ____.

A) decrease; appreciate
B) increase; appreciate
C) decrease; depreciate
D) increase; depreciate

Question 8

The parent of MNC can implement compensation plans that directly reward the subsidiary managers for enhancing the value of the MNC.

Question 9

Due to the risks involved in international business, firms should:

A) only consider international business in major countries.
B) maintain international business to no more than 20% of total business.
C) maintain international business to no more than 35% of total business.
D) none of the above

Question 10

For the MNC, agency costs are typically:

A) non-existent.
B) larger than agency costs of a small purely domestic firm.
C) smaller than agency costs of a small purely domestic firm.
D) the same as agency costs of a small purely domestic firm.

Question 11

Institutional investors such as mutual funds or pension funds which have large holdings of an MNC's stock do not normally want to take control of it and therefore have no influence over management of the MNC.

Question 12

The agency costs of an MNC are likely to be lower if it:

A) scatters its subsidiaries across many foreign countries.
B) increases its volume of international business.
C) uses a centralized management style.
D) A and B.

Question 13

An MNC may be more exposed to agency problems if most of its shares are held by:

A) a few mutual funds
B) a widely dispersed set of individual investors
C) a few pension funds
D) all of the above would prevent agency problems

Question 14

Which of the following theories identifies the non-transferability of resources as a reason for international business?

A) theory of comparative advantage.
B) imperfect markets theory.
C) product cycle theory.
D) none of the above

Question 15

Which of the following could reduce agency problems for an MNC?

A) stock options as managerial compensation.
B) hostile takeover threat.
C) investor monitoring.
D) all of the above are forms of corporate control that could reduce agency problems for an MNC.

Question 16

With regard to corporate goals, an MNC is mostly concerned with maximizing ____, and a purely domestic firm is mostly concerned with maximizing ____.

A) shareholder wealth; short-term earnings
B) shareholder wealth; shareholder wealth
C) short-term earnings; sales volume
D) short-term earnings; shareholder wealth

Question 17

MNCs can improve their internal control process by all of the following, except:

A) establishing a centralized data base of information
B) ensuring that all data are reported consistently among subsidiaries
C) ensuring that the MNC always borrows from countries where interest rates are lowest
D) using a system that checks internal data for unusual discrepancies

Question 18

If a publicly-traded MNC's managers make poor decisions that reduce its value, it may encourage other firms to acquire it.

Question 19

The commonly accepted goal of the MNC is to:

A) maximize short-term earnings.
B) maximize shareholder wealth.
C) minimize risk.
D) A and C.
E) maximize international sales.

Question 20

A product cycle is the process by which a firm provides a specialized sales or service strategy, support assistance, and possibly an initial investment in the franchise in exchange for periodic fees.

Question 21

If markets were perfect, then labor and other costs of production would be perfectly stable (no movement across borders).

Question 22

The valuation of an MNC is reduced if the required return on its investments in foreign countries is reduced.

Question 23

Which of the following is not a way in which agency problems can be reduced through corporate control?

A) executive compensation.
B) threat of hostile takeover.
C) acquisition of a foreign subsidiary.
D) monitoring by large shareholders.

Question 24

If a U.S. firm sets up a plant in Mexico to benefit from low cost labor, it will likely have a comparative advantage over other firms in Mexico that sell the same product.

Question 25

Imperfect markets represent conditions under which factors of production are immobile.

Question 26

A centralized management style for an MNC results in relatively high agency costs.

Question 27

Licensing obligates a firm to provide ____, while franchising obligates a firm to provide ____.

A) a specialized sales or service strategy; its technology
B) its technology; a specialized sales or service strategy
C) its technology; its technology
D) a specialized sales or service strategy; a specialized sales or service strategy
E) its technology; an initial investment

Question 28

The goal of a multinational corporation (MNC) is the maximization of shareholder wealth.

Question 29

If a U.S.-based MNC focused completely on importing, then its valuation would likely be adversely affected if most currencies were expected to appreciate against the dollar over time.

Question 30

The imperfect markets theory states that factors of production are somewhat immobile, allowing firms to capitalize on a foreign country's resources.

Question 31

In comparing exporting to direct foreign investment (DFI), an exporting operation will likely incur ____ fixed production costs and ____ transportation costs than DFI.

A) higher; higher
B) higher; lower
C) lower; lower
D) lower; higher

Question 32

One of the most prevalent factors conflicting with the realization of the goal of an MNC is the existence of agency problems.

Question 33

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was enacted in 2002 required MNCs and other firms to implement an internal reporting process that could be easily monitored by executives and the board of directors.

Question 34

The acquisition of a foreign subsidiary is commonly considered by MNCs because the cost is less expensive than establishing a new subsidiary of the same size.

Question 35

A centralized management style, where major decisions about a foreign subsidiary are made by the parent company, results in an increase in agency costs.

Question 36

____ are most commonly classified as a direct foreign investment.

A) Foreign acquisitions
B) Purchases of international stocks
C) Licensing agreements
D) Exporting transactions

Question 37

Which of the following is an example of direct foreign investment?

A) exporting to a country.
B) establishing licensing arrangements in a country.
C) purchasing existing companies in a country.
D) investing directly (without brokers) in foreign stocks.

Question 38

According to the text, a disadvantage of licensing is that:

A) it prevents a firm from importing.
B) it is difficult to ensure quality control of the production process.
C) it prevents a firm from exporting.
D) none of the above

Question 39

Although MNCs may need to convert currencies occasionally, they do not face any exchange rate risk, as exchange rates are stable over time.

Question 40

Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as an additional risk resulting from international business?

A) exchange rate fluctuations.
B) political risk.
C) interest rate risk.
D) exposure to foreign economies.

Question 41

Saller Co. has a subsidiary in Mexico. The expected cash flows in pesos to be received in the future from this subsidiary have not changed since last month, but the valuation of Saller Co. has declined since last month. What could've caused this decline in value?

A) A weaker Mexican economy
B) Lower Mexican interest rates
C) Depreciation of the Mexican peso
D) Appreciation of the Mexican peso.

Question 42

A macroeconomic perspective focuses on the financial management decisions that affect the value of MNC.

Question 43

A U.S.-based MNC has many foreign subsidiaries in Europe and does not expect to increase its investment there. Its value should increase if the value of the euro weakens over time.

Question 44

International trade generally results in ____ exposure to international political risk and ____ exposure to international economic conditions, when compared to other methods of international business.

A) higher; lower
B) higher; higher
C) lower; higher
D) lower; lower

Question 45

Assume that an MNC has a subsidiary in Italy, which exports its products to various countries in Europe. Since all of the countries where it exports use Euro as their currency, this MNC is not subject to the exchange rate risk.

Question 46

If a U.S.-based MNC focused completely on exporting, then its valuation would likely be adversely affected if most currencies were expected to appreciate against the dollar over time.

Question 47

International trade:

A) is a relatively conservative approach to foreign market penetration.
B) entails minimal risk.
C) does not require large amount of investment.
D) all of the above.

Question 48

The MNC's value depends on all of the following, except:

A) MNC's required rate of return
B) Amount of MNC's cash flows in particular currency
C) The exchange rate at which cash flows are converted to dollars
D) The value of MNC depends on all of the above factors

Question 49

The valuation of MNC accounts for all the cash flows received by the foreign subsidiaries plus all the cash flows remitted by the subsidiaries.

Question 50

A microeconomic perspective focuses on external forces such as economic conditions that can affect the value of an MNC.

Question 51

Assume that Boca Co. wants to expand its business to Japan, and wants complete control over the operations in Japan. Which method of international business is most appropriate for Boca Co?

A) Joint venture
B) Licensing
C) Partial acquisition of existing Japanese firm
D) Establishment of Japanese subsidiary

Question 52

Which of the following is not an example of political risk?

A) Government may impose taxes on subsidiary
B) Government may impose barriers on subsidiary
C) Consumers may boycott the MNC
D) Consumers' income levels will decrease, thus decreasing consumption.

Question 53

A decentralized management style of MNC results in relatively high agency costs.

Question 54

Assume that Live Co. has expected cash flows of $200,000 from domestic operations, SF200,000 from Swiss operations, and 150,000 euros from Italian operations at the end of the year. The Swiss franc's value and euro's value are expected to be $.83 and $1.29 respectively, at the end this year. What are the expected dollar cash flows of Live Co?

A) $200,000
B) $559,500
C) $582,500
D) $393,500

Question 55

The establishment of a new subsidiary is commonly considered by MNCs because the cost is less expensive than acquiring a foreign subsidiary of the same size.

Question 56

An MNC will always use the same required rate of return in the valuation of foreign projects, as it would for its domestic projects.

Question 57

Assume that an American firm wants to engage in international business without major investment in the foreign country. Which method is least appropriate in this situation?

A) International Trade
B) Licensing
C) Franchising
D) Direct foreign investment

Question 58

Jensen Co. wants to establish a new subsidiary in Mexico that will sell computers to Mexican customers and remit earnings back to the U.S. parent. The value of this project will be favorably affected if the value of the peso ____ while it establishes the new subsidiary and ____ when the subsidiary starts operations.

A) depreciates; appreciates
B) appreciates; appreciates
C) appreciates; depreciates
D) depreciates; depreciates

Question 59

If markets were perfect, then labor and other costs of production would be easily transferable.

Question 60

Livingston Co. has a subsidiary in Korea. The subsidiary reinvests half of its net cash flows into operations and remits half to the parent. Livingston's expected cash flows from domestic business are $100,000 and the Korean subsidiary is expected to generate 100 million Korean won at the end of the year. The expected value of won is $.0012. What are the expected dollar cash flows of Livingston Co.?

A) $100,000
B) $200,000
C) $160,000
D) $60,000

Question 61

A decentralized management style, where subsidiary managers make the relevant decisions regarding their subsidiary, may result in better decision making, as subsidiary managers are generally better informed about their subsidiary's operations.

Question 62

Which of the following is not one of the more common methods used by MNCs to improve their internal control process?

A) Establishing a centralized database of information
B) Ensuring that all data are reported consistently among subsidiaries
C) Speeding the process by which all departments and all subsidiaries have access to the data that they need
D) Making executives more accountable for financial statements by personally verifying their accuracy
E) All of the above are common methods used by MNCs to improve their internal control process.

Question 63

The least risky method by which firms conduct international business is:

A) Franchising.
B) The acquisitions of existing operations.
C) International Trade.
D) The establishment of new subsidiaries.
E) Licensing

Question 64

The most risky method(s) by which firms conduct international business is (are):

A) Franchising.
B) The acquisitions of existing operations.
C) The establishment of new subsidiaries.
D) All of the above
E) B and C only

Question 65

U.S.-based MNCs are typically not monitored by mutual funds and pension funds, as these institutions rarely hold stock in MNCs.

Question 66

A purely domestic firm may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations if it faces at least some foreign competition.

Question 67

Under the Imperfect Markets Theory, it is assumed that factors of production are entirely mobile, so that firms can capitalize on a foreign country's resources.

Question 68

Under the Product Cycle Theory, foreign demand can be initially satisfied by exporting.

Question 69

When the parent's home currency is weak, remitted funds from foreign subsidiaries will convert to a smaller amount of the home currency.

Question 70

Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as a theory of international business?

A) Theory of Comparative Advantage
B) Imperfect Markets Theory
C) Product Cycle Theory
D) Globalization of Business Theory
E) All of the above are mentioned in the text as theories of international business

Question 71

The Theory of Comparative Advantage begins by assuming that a given firm first becomes established in its home country and may subsequently penetrate foreign markets via geographic or product differentiation.

Question 72

The goal of a multinational corporation (MNC) is

A) The minimization of taxes remitted from foreign subsidiaries.
B) The establishment of subsidiaries in any country where operations would provide a return over and above the cost of capital, even if better projects are available domestically.
C) The maximization of shareholder wealth.
D) The maximization of social benefits resulting from actions such as the employment of foreign managers.

Question 73

If managers of foreign subsidiaries make decisions that maximize the values of their respective subsidiaries, they automatically maximize the value of the entire corporation.

Question 74

Licensing allows firms to use their technology in foreign markets without a major investment in foreign countries.

Question 75

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act ensures a more transparent process for managers to report on the productivity and financial condition of their firm.

Question 76

Agency costs faced by multinational corporations (MNCs) may be larger than those faced by purely domestic firms because

A) Monitoring of managers located in foreign countries is more difficult.
B) Foreign subsidiary managers raised in different cultures may not follow uniform goals.
C) MNCs are relatively large.
D) All of the above
E) A and B only

Question 77

One form of an exposure to political risk is terrorism.

Question 78

International trade is the most common form of direct foreign investment (DFI).

Question 79

Which of the following does not constitute a form of direct foreign investment?

A) Franchising
B) International trade
C) Joint ventures
D) Acquisitions of existing operations
E) Establishment of new foreign subsidiaries