PRMIA Exam 8006 Topic 1 Question 70 Discussion

Forward rates can be calculated from spot rates and interest rates using the formula Spot x (1+domestic interest rate)/(1+foreign interest rate), where the 'Spot' is expressed as a direct rate (ie as the number of domestic currency units one unit of the foreign currency can buy). In this case the forward rate will be 1.1239 * (1 + 0.75%*90/360) / (1 + 0.4%*90/360) = 1.1249.

It can be confusing to determine which interest rate should be considered 'domestic', and which 'foreign' for this formula. For that, look at the spot rate. Think of the spot rate as being x units of one currency equal to 1 unit of the other currency. In this case, think of the spot rate 1.1239 as 'CAD 1.1239 = USD 1'. The currency that has the '1' in it is the 'foreign' and the other one is 'domestic'.

It is also important to remember how exchange rates are generally quoted. Most exchange rates are quoted in terms of how many foreign currencies does USD 1 buy. Therefore, a rate of 99 for the JPY means that USD 1 is equal to JPY 99. These are called 'direct rates'. However, there are four major world currencies where the rate quote convention is the other way round - these are EUR, GBP, AUD and NZD. For these currencies, the FX quote implies how many US dollars can one unit of these currencies buy. So a quote of '1.1023' for the Euro means EUR 1 is equal to USD 1.1023 and not the other way round.