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

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Total 287 questions
Question 1

Calculate the settlement amount for a buyer of a 3 x 6 FRA with a notional of $1m and contract rate of 5%. Assume settlement rate is 6%.



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)


Question 2

Buying an option on a futures contract requires:



Answer : B

An option on a futures contract is like any other option contract, and only the option premium is due upfront. If the option is exercised, then the futures contract comes into existence and futures margins become due in the normal way. Therefore Choice 'b' is the correct answer.


Question 3

A futures clearing house:



Answer : C

It is important to note the distinction between the clearing house and the exchange itself. The clearing house does not get involved with physical delivery, nor does it provide any dispute settlement services. It only makes sure that cash is settled as and when due between the members. Therefore Choice 'c' is the correct answer


Question 4

The vast majority of exchange traded futures contracts are:



Answer : A

The vast majority of exchange traded futures contracts are closed out prior to expiry by the parties acquiring offsetting positions. Very few contracts are settled by delivery. Since P&L on futures contracts is settled daily, 'cash settlement' really does not mean much as only the previous day's P&L is due or receivable on any given day.


Question 5

Profits and losses on futures contracts are:



Answer : D

Profits and losses on futures contracts are settled daily. (P&L on forward contracts is often settled upon the expiry of the contract, and may even be collateralized.) Therefore Choice 'd' is the correct answer.


Question 6

If the CHF/USD spot and 3 month (91 days) forward rates are 1.1763 and 1.1652, what is the annualized forward premium or discount?



Answer : D

Forward premium or discount can be easily calculated as {(Forward rate - Spot rate) / Spot rate x 365/number of days]. In this case, it can be calculated as =((1.1652 - 1.1763) / 1.1763 ) * 365/91 = 3.785%, which is a discount as it is a negative number. It can also be interpreted as a discount as the forward price is lower than the spot price.


Question 7

If the exchange rate for USD/AUD is 0.6831 and the rate for SEK/USD is 8.1329, what is the SEK/AUD cross rate?



Answer : C

Since AUD 1 = USD 0.6831, and USD 1 = SEK 8.1329, AUD 1 = SEK 8.1329*0.6831 = 5.5556.

It is 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. 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.

When calculating cross rates, it is important to pay attention to how the rates are quoted. This particular question is quoted in a very straightforward way because it specifies exactly what the rate means, eg by saying USD/AUD it clarifies that the rate is the number of USDs per AUD. If the question is not clear, remember how exchange rates are quoted - all are against 1 USD, except for EUR, GBP, AUD and NZD where it is the other way round.


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