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C
urrency options are derivative instruments, There are two types of Currency options i.e
which give buyer of the option the right but CALL & PUT as elucidated below.
not the obligation to execute a specified
transaction in the underlying
currency pair. It gives the buyer the
flexibility to execute settlement of
option or not. These are different
from other derivatives like forwards
and futures in a way that it provides
downside protection against risk and
also an upside benefit from favourable Profit/loss from an option – The profit/loss
movements in the underlying exchange rates. arising from currency options under various
Since the person has the right to buy or sell circumstances are as under.
the foreign currency, but not the
obligation, it can let the option
expire by not exercising its right, in
case the exchange rates move in its
favour, thereby making the profits
it would not have made had it
hedged through currency forwards
or currency futures.
However, the above advantage
does not come free because the above feature Option Pricing – Pay off from buying a Call
currency options generally cost more than other option: It is maximum of ( 0, (Spot exchange rate
tools of hedging. The other advantage offered by – Strike rate ))
options are flexibility in selecting the exchange Pay off from buying a Put option: It is
rate at which a currency can be bought or sold maximum of ( 0, ( Strike rate – Spot exchange
unlike for forwards or futures in which there is rate ))
only one exchange rate.
- CA. Gurvinder S. Gandhi
Premium – Intrinsic and Extrinsic Value
(The author is a Member of the Institute The price of buying a currency option, i.e.
working as Manager Finance, Canon India
Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon. He can be reached at
premium has two components namely intrinsic
gurvinder.Gandhi@canon.co.in) value and extrinsic value, which is paid upfront
while executing an option transaction. Firstly, of Call option increases and value of Put option
the premium includes any amount by which the decreases.
option is ‘In the Money‘ for
Treasury and Risk manager may undertake
Call Premium = (Spot exchange rate – Strike following steps before booking currency option
rate), and contracts:
Put Premium = (Strike rate – Spot exchange l Calculation of Foreign exchange exposure
rate) and this is known as ‘Intrinsic value’. value and period for which options covers
The second component of the premium is to be taken.
‘Extrinsic value’ which reflects all other factors l Measurement of Hedge ratio and degree of
that determine the price of an option, including risk acceptable to management.
time to expiration, the expected volatility of
l Invitation of currency option quotes from
underlying currency, short term interest rates
and inflation rates. various Banks.
l Expectations and Keeping track of exchange
Factors Influencing Option Prices rate movements.
Call premium = (Spot exchange rate – Strike l Evaluation and cost benefit analysis of
rate) Currency option quotes with spot rate and
Positive relationship between Call Premium forward rates.
& exchange rate, as exchange rate increases call l Booking of option contracts with Bank.
premium also increases and Inverse relationship
between call premium and strike rate as strike Need for Suitable Currency Option
rate increases call premium decreases. Hedging Strategy
Put premium = (Strike rate – Spot exchange Indian rupee has witnessed considerable
rate) volatility against USD since beginning of this
There is Positive relationship between put fiscal, and it has moved both ways since 2005,
premium and strike rate, as strike rate increases, it appreciated to 43.10 against USD on 21st July
put premium also increases. And there is 2005 on the day China revalued its currency and
inverse relationship between put premium and depreciated to 3 year high at 46.56 on 20th May
exchange rate, as exchange rate increases put 2006.
premium decrease.
To manage foreign exchange risks in present
Time to maturity: Call & Put options become situation is a daunting task and calls for suitable
more valuable as time to maturity increases, it is selection of various currency options strategies
because of Risk as the time increases. combinations which when applied in the
Volatility: As volatility increases there is high below mentioned varied market conditions will
degree of uncertainty about the rate of the provide hedge against risk.
currency and hence on the option. The owner of l Bullish or Bearish market conditions
the call benefits from the rate increase and that
l Volatility or stagnant market conditions
of the put benefits from the rate decreases.
Risk free Interest Rate: The Interest rate However, in the absence of capital account
differential between the underlying currency convertibility and financial infrastructure
pairs used to derive the FX Forward rate and availability, coupled under-developed banking
therefore has an impact on the option price. As and financial system and exchange control
the Interest rate in the economy increases, value regulations and restrictions, various currency
options strategies cannot be effectively and forward contracts for evaluating the decision
judiciously applied for managing risks. whether to cover imports by forward contracts
Currency options in India can only be or purchased call options: A fortune MNC in
booked or cancelled for genuine or contingent telecommunications purchased a call option of
exposures. Banks in India are not allowed to offer 2 million USD for covering imports on 1st June
option products with no underlying exposures 2006, with a expiry date on 31st August 2006.
and only European options are allowed. This The premium on call for a 3-month duration is
restriction discourages applicability of various 20 paise. Forward contract quote for the same
options combinations. The expiry date of expiry date was spot 43.85 with a premium of
option should not exceed the maturity of the 15 paise. The total cost of forward contracts is
underlying exposure. Corporate have to sign 44.00.
ISDA agreement with banks before undertaking In the Pay Off Table A when USD depreciates,
option deals. purchased call options are profitable
Currency option strategies for Import than forward contracts, because options
transactions in Bullish Market conditions provides downside protection against risk of
opportunity loss, however when
CURRENCY OPTIONS FOR IMPORTERS
USD appreciates, purchased
( Bulllish Market ) call options are less profitable
than forward contracts Since
PURCHASED CALL OPTION SOLD PUT OPTION PURCHASED CALL OPTION
the objective of hedging is
AND SOLD PUT OPTION to minimize and cover loss, it
is advisable to cover imports
through purchased call options.
Purchased Call option: Corporate buys
a USD call option for covering its import Purchasing Call option & Selling Put Option
transactions from a ABN AMRO bank on 1st June A leading petrochemicals importer purchases
2006, at a strike rate of 45.50. The expiry date is USD call option from Citibank at a strike rate of
3 months i.e. 31st August 2006. The premium is 45.50, & sells USD Put option at a strike rate of
30 paise on the call. Gain or loss at various levels 45.50. The premium paid on purchasing call
of exchange rate are demonstrated below vide option is 30 paise and received on selling Put
pay off table and graph. option is 20 paise.
Market Rate Exercise Rate Premium Gain/Loss
Purchased Call Option
CALL@45.50 Paid
43.00 0.00 0.30 -0.30 1.50
Gain / Loss at each Rate
When spot exchange rate rises above the Gain or loss at various levels of exchange rate
strike price, there are gains, when it falls below are shown through Pay Off Table A. This strategy
the strike price there are losses, which are is aggressive strategy, suited for situations
maximum to the extent of premium paid. when the Market is appreciating. The gains will
Comparison of purchased call options with be substantial. However, it is advisable to select
0
.7
.0
.1
.2
.3
.4
.5
.6
.9
.0
.2
.5
.7
42
43
43
43
43
43
43
43
43
44
44
44
44
42.70 (2,600,000) 2,200,000 -1,000,000
Market Rate Exercise Rate Premium ExerciseRate Premium NET Gain / Purchased Call option & Sold Put option
2.00
Gain/ Loss at each
1.00
It is an aggressive strategy suited for situations an exercise rate of 45.50, premium paid to bank
when there is a very strong expectation for is 20 paise & 30 paise for Call & Put respectively.
home currency to depreciate. Premium will be This strategy is very profitable in situations
the sensitivity of delta, with respect to change forex risk management tool. They provide
in spot exchange rate. downside protection against risk and upside
Theta – It is a measure of option sensitivity benefit from favourable movements in exchange
with respect to expiration time. rates. There are various option strategies and
combinations which when applied in the volatile,
Vega – It measures the sensitivity of the stagnant, bullish, bearish market conditions,
options premium with respect to volatility of will provide hedge against risk. However, its
underlying asset. applicability in India is still a long way to go due
to exchange control restrictions, coupled with
Conclusion under-developed banking and financial system
Currency options are powerful and flexible and financial infrastructure availability. r
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