USE THE INFORMATION BELOW FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM(S)
TexMex Corporation has decided to borrow $50,000,000 for six months in two three-month issues. The corporation is concerned that interest rates will rise over the next three months. Thus, the corporation purchases a 3 * 6 FRA whereby the corporation pays the dealer's quoted fixed rate of 3.5 percent in exchange for receiving three-month LIBOR at the settlement date. In order to hedge her exposure, the dealer buys LIBOR from Newport Inc. at its bid rate of 3 percent. The notional principal is $50,000,000 and that there are 60 days between month 3 and month 6.
-Refer to Exhibit 15.18. Suppose that three-month LIBOR is 4.0 percent on the rate determination day, and the contract specified settlement in advance, describe the transaction that occurs between the dealer and TexMex.
A) The dealer is obligated to pay TexMex $61,881.
B) The dealer is obligated to pay TexMex $61,500.
C) TexMex is obligated to pay the dealer $247,524.
D) TexMex is obligated to pay the dealer $246,000.
E) TexMex is obligated to pay the dealer $56,000.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dealer pays TexMex because the three-month LIBOR rate at the settlement date (4.0%) is higher than the fixed rate agreed upon in the FRA (3.5%). The payment is calculated based on the difference between the agreed rate and the actual LIBOR rate, applied to the notional principal over the relevant period. The correct calculation results in a payment of $61,881 from the dealer to TexMex.