International Finance

International finance is the branch of economics that studies the dynamics of foreign exchange,foreign direct investment and how these affect international trade. Also studies the international projects, international investment and the international capital flow .International Finance can be broadly defined, as the study of the financial decisions taken by a multinational corporation in the area of international business i.e. global corporate finance. International finance draws much of its background from the preliminary studies in the topics of corporate finance such as capital budgeting, portfolio theory and cost of capital but now viewed in the international dimension.

Emerging Markets for International Capital Investments

Of late emerging markets have become a buzzword among the  international investors for reaping greatest potential rewards which would be  impossible if they stayed put in their affluent hinterlands. The term emerging  markets (EMs) is a collective reference to the stock markets of the developing  nations.  A question, which overpowers a discerning mind, is why the  international investors are looking towards emerging markets for investing  their funds instead of established markets like US? Three reasons can be  given to answer this question.

First, the average total return of emerging  markets  has outstripped those of  developed markets. Investments total return index computed by the IFC (International Finance Corporation)  which  measures the total return for each country based on those stock available to  foreign investors shows that return on investment in IFC composite of EMs is  61.64 per cent higher than the return on investment in US market over the  years.… Read the rest

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Capital Supply and International Financial Markets

Capital flows have  traditionally focused on the ‘demand side’ of emerging market financing by  examining current account balances, which are equal to the net external  financing needs of countries, and then seeking to identify ways in which these  financing needs could be met and on what terms. However, this approach  ignores trends in capital flows into and out of the major advanced economies,  which are the source of most cross-border capital and the main reason why  gross flows have risen so dramatically relative to net flows. These flows are  typically in a securitized form and, as such, are susceptible to trading in active  secondary markets.… Read the rest

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Centralized Cash Management Operations of Multinational Corporations

International money managers attempt to attain on a worldwide basis the traditional  domestic objectives of cash management: (1) bringing the company’s cash resources  within control as quickly and efficiently as possible and (2) achieving the optimum  conservation and utilization of these funds.

Accomplishing the first goal requires establishing accurate, timely forecasting and  reporting systems, improving cash collections and disbursements, and decreasing the  cost of moving funds among affiliates. The second objective is achieved by  minimizing the required level of cash balances, making money available when and  where it is needed, and increasing the risk-adjusted return on those funds that can be  invested.… Read the rest

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Definition of Forfaiting

Forfaiting is a specialized form of trade finance that allows the exporter to offer  extended credit to the importer. Under forfaiting  , the importer gives the  exporter a bundle of bills of exchange or promissory notes covering the principal  amount as well as the interest. Each tranche of the notes fall due at different points of  time in the future, e.g. every six months, extending up to several years. The notes are  backed by an aval or guarantee provided by a reputed bank in the importer’s country.  The exporter can then discount these notes without recourse with banks who  specialize in the forfaiting business to generate an immediate cash flow.… Read the rest

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Buyers Credit and Suppliers Credit

Buyer’s Credit

Buyer’s Credits are a form of Eurocurrency loans designed to finance a  specific transaction involving import of goods and services. Under this arrangement,  lending bank(s) pay the exporter on presentation of shipping documents. The  importer works out a deferred payment arrangement with the lending bank, which the  bank treats as a loan. Large loans are club loans or syndicated loans. Many  provisions in the loan agreement are quite similar to a general purpose syndicated  credit. However, a number of formalities have to be completed before the exporter  can draw funds. The interest rate of the loan is linked to a market index such as  LIBOR.… Read the rest

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International Payments Using Drafts

Commonly used in international trade, a draft is an unconditional order in writing –  usually signed by the exporter (seller) and addressed to the importer (buyer) or the importer’s  agent – ordering the importer to pay on demand, or at a fixed or determinable future date, the  amount specified on its face. Such an instrument, also known as a bill of exchange, serves three  important functions:

  1. To provide written evidence, in clear and simple terms, of financial obligation.
  2. To enable both parties to potentially reduce their costs of financing.
  3. To provide a negotiable and unconditional instrument (that is, payment must be made  to any holder in due course despite any disputes over the underlying commercial  transaction.)
… Read the rest
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