- 15 Marks
FM – May 2017 – L3 – Q6 – Financial Risk Management
Analyze the use of an interest rate swap between two companies for mutual benefit.
Question
Large Plc. (LP) wishes to borrow N200 million for five years to finance the purchase of new non-current assets. The preference of the company’s Directors is that these funds are borrowed at a fixed rate of interest. The company’s long-term debt is currently rated BBB, meaning LP would have to pay 6.5% p.a. for fixed rate borrowing. Alternatively, LP could borrow at a floating rate, i.e. the prime lending rate (PLR) + 2.25% at the present time.
The Directors of LP have recently been informed by its bank that TK Plc. is also currently looking to borrow N200 million for five years at a floating rate of interest, and its AA rating gives it access to floating rate borrowing at PLR + 1.50% per annum. TK Plc. would pay 5.50% per annum for fixed rate borrowing at the present time.
Required:
a. State FIVE reasons that a company might have for entering into an interest rate swap. (5 Marks)
b. Show how an interest rate swap could be used to the equal benefit of both companies, assuming that the terms of the swap agreement are such that LP’s swap payment to TK Plc. is to be 5.5% fixed per annum. (7 Marks)
c. Identify, with a supporting brief explanation, which of the two companies would be disadvantaged if the PLR were to fall consistently within the five-year term of the interest rate swap. (1 Mark)
d. Identify TWO risks that both companies will face, should they decide to enter into the interest rate swap agreement. (2 Marks)
Find Related Questions by Tags, levels, etc.
- Tags: Borrowing, Interest Rate Swap, Risk Management
- Level: Level 3
- Topic: Financial Risk Management