PRMIA 8006 Exam I: Finance Theory, Financial Instruments, Financial Markets – 2015 Edition Exam Practice Test

Answer : C

An m x n FRA is an agreement to borrow money for a period starting at time m and ending at time n at the contracted rate. Therefore, the buyer of the 3 x 6 FRA has committed to borrow $1m at the beginning of 3 months and return it at the end of 6 months, ie a total borrowing period of 3 months at a rate of 5%. Of course, the $1m is never actually exchanged, and at the beginning of the 3 month period when the next three months' interest rate is known (6%), the parties merely exchange the difference in the interest. SInce this interest was only due at the end of the 6 months and is being exchanged at the 3 month time point, it will have to be discounted to its present value.

The correct answer to this question is =(1,000,000 * (6% - 5%) * 3/12)/(1 + (6%*3/12))=$2463.05. Since interest rates rose, the borrower gained as he has the right to borrow at a lower rate, and therefore the seller will pay the borrower.

(Here:

- $1m is the notional

- 6% - 5% represents the difference between the contracted and the realized interest rates

- 3/12 is the 3 month period from month 3 to 6

- Finally, we divide by the current interest rate for 3 months to present value the payment from month 6 to month 3)

Answer : A

The LIBOR rate to use is the one at the beginning of the period, is 4.5%. The fixed rate payer owes 5%, and the floating rate payer owes 4.5% + 100bps. Thus the fixed rate payer will receive a payment equal to 0.5% for six months on $1m. This works out to $2500.(Recall that a fixed for floating interest rate swap exchanges fixed for floating rate payments, with only the net payment being made by either party.)

The LIBOR rate to use is the one at the beginning of the period, is 4.5%. The fixed rate payer owes 5%, and the floating rate payer owes 4.5% + 100bps. Thus the fixed rate payer will receive a payment equal to 0.5% for six months on $1m. This works out to $2500.

(Recall that a fixed for floating interest rate swap exchanges fixed for floating rate payments, with only the net payment being made by either party.)

Answer : A

This question requires a calculation of the present value of the future cash flows from the bond. The correct answer is $94.92, calculated as =(5/(1 + 5%)) + (5/(1+ 6%)^2) + (105/(1 + 7%)^3).

Answer : C

Since the note pays daily LIBOR, there is no interest rate risk associated with this instrument. Note that interest rate risk for a fixed income instrument arises when the current interest rate changes to a rate different from that the instrument pays. In this case, the rate floats, and is reset daily, therefore there is no risk and the duration is 0. Choice 'c' is the correct answer.

Answer : B

Selling July corn futures would be the cheapest and most appropriate risk management strategy for this corn farmer trying to hedge his risk against falling prices. When June comes, he can close out the futures contracts and any loss or gain on the futures contract would be approximately equal to the change in the spot price of corn from January to June.

Buying corn futures is a bad idea because that would require the farmer to buy corn, which would only add to his expected stock of corn expected from the harvest. The same applies to buying a call option on corn. In the same way, selling a put option would be inappropriate because the buyer of the this put would have the right to sell corn to the farmer at the exercise price, which is not what we want. Therefore Choice 'b' is the correct answer.

Answer : C

Each of the choices describes various scenarios related to the issue of bonds. A when-issued market is a market in government securities where securities are traded as forward contracts prior to their issue. Choice 'c' is the correct answer.

Choice 'd' refers to a 'bought deal'. Choice 'b' refers to the 'grey market', usually in corporate bonds. Choice 'a' refers to a fixed price re-offer mechanism.

Answer : B

The day count convention used for US treasury bonds is Act/Act. The other choices are incorrect.