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International Financial Management P G Apte

CHAPTER - 10. EXOTIC SPECIALS. Currency Options. International Financial Management P G Apte. SHOUT OPTIONS

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International Financial Management P G Apte

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  1. CHAPTER - 10 EXOTIC SPECIALS Currency Options • International Financial Management • P G Apte

  2. SHOUT OPTIONS With a Shout Option the buyer can lock in the profit to date while retaining the right to benefit from any further upside. When the option buyer thinks the market has reached a high (call) or low (put), they 'shout' and lock in that minimum level. If the market finishes higher (call) or lower (put) than the shout level, the holder benefits further. The option can be structured with any number of "shout " opportunities. EXAMPLE A private investor is bullish on USD/CHF, but also expects USD/CHF to be very volatile. They are therefore afraid to miss out on temporary highs when using a normal USD/CHF call. This problem can be solved by buying a Shout Call option on USD/CHF. Traditionally, there is only one "shout" opportunity. The investor therefore has the opportunity to lock in a minimum profit on the option if USD/CHF rises above the strike. (The option canbe structured with multiple shouts but the cost may be prohibitive). Should USD/CHF close above the strike and below the "shout"level, the investor is assured of receiving the "shout" less the strike as profit. If the USD/CHF closes above the "shout" level, the investor will receive that additional profit also. The payout can therefore be summarised as the maximum of: (a) "shout" less strike, and (b) close less strike.

  3. Amaximum optionis a bundle of vanilla options with a variety of features—different strikes, different underliers, some may be puts, others calls, but they generally have the same expiration date. Only one of these may be exercised, and this is chosen in the holder's favor at expiration. A minimum option is a bundle of vanilla options—like a maximum option. Only one of the options can be exercised, and this is chosen in the issuer's favor at expiration. A better-of option is a bundle of long forwards. All mature on the option's expiration date but have different underliers. At expiration, only one settles, and this is chosen in the holder's favor. A worst-of option is a bundle of long forwards. All mature on the option's expiration date but have different underliers. At expiration, only one settles, and this is chosen in the issuer's favor. A two-asset correlation option is linked to two underliers. It pays off like a vanilla option on one underlier if the expiration value of the other underlier is in a specified range. The vanilla option can be either a put or a call.

  4. Together,maximum options and minimum optionsare referredto asmin-max options. Better-of or Worst-of optionsare referred to collectivelyasAlternative Options An alternative option can result in the holder having to make a payment to the issuer at expiration. Consider a better-of option on three-month USD/EUR and USD/JPY forwards, both with a USD 100MM notional. If both exchange rates move against the holder, he will have to make a payment to the issue to settle whichever forward has declined least in value. Worst-of options blur the distinction between option issuers and option holders. Certainly, someone would require a premium or other compensation for holding a worst-of option. Worst-of options arise with bond futures that grant the short party the right to deliver any of several qualifying bonds.

  5. BALLOON OPTIONS DESCRIPTION A Balloon Option is an option that "Balloons" in size once a certain trigger is reached. It is most commonly used in FX markets but can also be used in interest rate, equity and commodity markets. EXAMPLE An investor believes that the USD will strengthen against Yen in the coming months. It is currently trading at 100. The investor also sees 110 as strong resistance, but believes that it will be broken. Rather than buy a straight USD10million call at the money spot (100) for 6 months, the investor can purchase an at the money Balloon call with a trigger of 110 and a multiple of 2. This means that the investor owns a 100 call in USD10mm. However, if USD/YEN ever trades at or above 110, the notional of the bought 100 call will double to USD20million.

  6. PRICING Using the above example, the Balloon 100 call is merely a straight 100 call for USD10mm plus a 100 call in USD10mm that knocks in at 110. The Balloon option premium is therefore the addition of the two premiums and is therefore always more expensive than a straight call on the original notional but cheaper than a straight call on the ballooned notional. The amount of "ballooning" is determined by the client. Obviously the greater the ballooning the higher the premium. The further the trigger level is away from the at the money, the cheaper the premium. (see "Knock-In Options") TARGET MARKET Balloon options are an alternative that appeals to any client considering ordinary calls, but in particular to those who have technically based views.

  7. ADVANTAGES • The Notional of the option increases when the option is most in the money • Loss is limited to premium like all bought options • Cheaper than ordinary options on the ballooned notional. • DISADVANTAGES • More expensive than straight options (on original notional) • PRODUCT SUITABILITY • Bought balloon options: Simple AggressiveSold balloon options: Complex Aggressive

  8. LADDER OPTIONS DESCRIPTION With a Ladder option, the strike is periodically reset when the underlying trades through specified trigger levels, at the same time locking in the profit between the old and the new strike. The trigger strikes appear as rungs on a ladder. Ladder options can be structured to reset the strike in either one or both directions. The Ladder option is also known as a Ratchet option and Lock-In option. EXAMPLE An investment fund that is bullish on the USD wants to buy USD calls. If the fund buys a European call it can only exercise the option at the maturity date. If it buys an American call though, it will face the problem of when to exercise the option. The fund decides to buy a Ladder Option with a strike of 1.35 and a ladder with rungs starting at 1.35, going upwards in steps of 0.05 to a maximum of 1.50. Now every time USD/CHF reaches a new rung, the strike will be reset to that rung and a 0.05 profit locked in. So if during the lifetime of the deal USD/CHF reaches its high at 1.4620, the highest rung reached will be 1.45 and the strike will thus be set accordingly, while the profit of 0.10 (=1.45-1.35) will be locked in. At expiry the fund will receive the greater of (a)closing spot less original strike, and (b) highest rung reached less original strike. If in our example, the highest level was 1.4620 but the rate closes at 1.23, the fund will receive 0.10 only. If however the spot closes at 1.462, the fund will receive 0.112.

  9. LADDER OPTIONS : PRICING • A Ladder Option can be viewed as a series of Knock-In and Knock-Out call and put options each struck at a different ladder level. Our above example is made up by combining a 165 call and a series of bought and sold Knock-In Puts (see "FX Knock-In Options"). • TARGET MARKET • Ladder options are applicable for risk averse option buyers as profits are progressively locked in without losing the option position. • ADVANTAGES • Less risky than traditional options as profits locked in as underlying performs • No need to constantly watch the underlying market levels • DISADVANTAGES • More expensive than a normal option

  10. BOX TRADE DESCRIPTION A Box Trade is zero cost strategy, in that there are two knockout Barriers. Because it is zero cost the actual levels of barriers in a box trade will depend on market conditions. The customer has three options 1 Specify the lower barrier. 2 Specify the upper barrier. 3 Specify barriers equi-distant from spot The trader will find the other barrier (or the distance from spot) that makes the strategy zero cost. The wider the range the better the trade because not only is there a smaller chance of hitting the barriers, but also the pay out is larger. At expiration the possibilities and pay outs are: 1) Spot has never touched either barrier - the pay out is Range * Notional Amount in Base currency terms (Range is the distance between each barrier). 2) Spot has touched one barrier only, but ends up inside the range - the pay out is always positive and the amount is ABS(Barrier - Spot )* Notional Amount in Base currency terms, where Barrier is the level of the untouched barrier

  11. 3) Spot has touched both barriers but ends up inside the range - the pay out is zero. 4) Spot has touched one barrier only and ends up outside the range - the pay out is negative and equals ABS(Barrier - Spot) * Notional Amount, where Barrier is the level of the untouched barrier.

  12. CLIQUET OPTIONS DESCRIPTION A Cliquet Option settles periodically and resets the strike at the then spot leyel. It is therefore a series of at-the-money options, but where the total premium is determined in advance. A Cliquet can be thought of as a series of "pre-purchased" at-the-money options. The payout on each option can either be paid at the final maturity, or at the end of each reset period. EXAMPLE A three-month Cliquet Call on the USD with monthly resets is a series of three monthly at-the-money spot calls. The initial strike is set at say Rs.44.00. If at the end of month one, the USD/INR closes at 45.00, the first call matures Rs.1.00 in-the-money and this amount is paid to the buyer. The call strike for month 2 is then reset at 45.00. If at the end of month 2, USD/INR is 44.5000, the call will expire worthless. The call strike for month 3 is then reset at 44.5000. The alternative strategy would be to buy a one-month at-the-money call and at the end of month one, buy another at-the-money one month call, and so on. The difference is that the cost of the Cliquet is known in advance, whereas the future cost of at-the-money calls is unknown. If volatility is LOWER than expected, the Cliquet will be more expensive than buying the calls annually, if volatility is HIGHER than expected, the Cliquet will be cheaper. A Cliquet option is therefore more attractive when volatility is expected to RISE.

  13. CLIQUET OPTIONS (CONTD.) The major advantage of the Cliquet, is that the probability of some payout is high. Over the 3 year period, the chance that the market will close lower for three consecutive years, is much lower than the probability that the market will close lower at the END of three years i.e. there is a high probability that even if the market closes lower after three years, that it will have closed higher in at least one of the three years. PRICING A Cliguet is a series of at-the-money options. We can calculate the expected value of these options by generating the implied forward volatility curve (some methodology as generating implied forward interest rates. See "Implied Forwards"). The Cliquet premium is the present value of the premiums for the option series. A Cliquet call is always more expensive than a straight at-the-money call with the same final maturity. The number of reset periods is determined by the buyer in advance. More resets make the option more expensive.

  14. CLIQUET OPTIONS (CONTD.) • TARGET MARKET • The Cliquet is suitable for investors with a medium term investment horizon. It is less risky than ordinary medium term options, as there is less specific risk i.e. the reset facility gives the buyer a "second" and "third" chance. This increases the chance of payout, but must be balanced with the higher premium cost. As a series of "pre-purchased" options, the Cliquet is attractive to passive investors as it requires no intermediate management. They have traditionally been attractive to retail and private investors when embedded in deposits and bonds (see "Structured Assets ") as they provide a low risk (capital guaranteed) exposure to equity and Bond markets. Sophisticated investors use Cliquets to take advantage of future assumptions about volatility. • ADVANTAGES • There is a "second chance" as the strike is periodically reset • Ideal medium term, passive investment • Locks in the future cost of volatility • DISADVANTAGES • More expensive than straight options with same final maturity

  15. The Range Binary Finally, let us consider the range binary, a structure that pays out a lump-sum if spot stays within a specific range without trading at either level in exchange for the payment of a relatively small upfront premium. Let's say that we are looking at USD/CAD (i.e. the number of Canadian dollars per 1 unit of the US dollar). We believe that USD/CAD is stuck in a range between 1.50 and 1.55 for the next two months. How do we take advantage of this view? We could buy simultaneously a double barrier USD call/CAD put with a strike of 1.50 that knocks out at either 1.50 or 1.55 and a double barrier USD put/CAD call with a strike of 1.55 that knocks out at either 1.50 or 1.55. If spot stays in the range without triggering either 1.50 or 1.55, we will make 0.0500 on the notional amount of the options. The options themselves are relatively cheap because they are so likely to be knocked out. The higher the implied volatility, the more likely they are to get knocked out, the cheaper these structures.

  16. COMPOUND OPTIONS DESCRIPTION A Compound Option is an option where the underlying is another option. This option has two elements: 1) the upfront premium and  2) the strike premium which will have to be paid later if the compound right is exercised. The upfront premium gives the right to buy or sell a specific option at the strike premium. Exotic Compound Options come in a variety of forms, such as a compound option with barriers, where the compound option can knockout before the exercise time, or where it has to knockin. A compound option on a Barrier option - in other words the right but not the obligation to buy a barrier option for a fixed amount at some date in the future. An option on a portfolio of options - the right but not the obligation to buy one or more options for a price fixed not at a future date.

  17. COMPOUND OPTIONS (CONTD.) EXAMPLE A major contracting company is tendering for the contract to build two hotels in one month time. If they win this contract they would need financing for CHF 223.5mm for 3 years. The calculation used in the tender utilises today's interest rates. The company therefore has exposure to an interest rate rise over the next month. They could buy a 3yr interest rate cap starting in one month but this would prove to be very expensive if they lost the tender. The alternative is to buy a one month call option on a 3yr interest cap. If they win the tender, they can exercise the option and enter into the interest rate cap at the predetermined premium. If they lose the tender they can let the option lapse. The advantage is that the premium will be significantly lower. Compound Options can also be used to take speculative positions. If an investor is bullish on USD/CHF, they can buy a 6mth call option at say 1.60 for 4.00%. Alternatively, they could purchase a 2mth call on a 4mth USD/CHF 1.60 call at 2.50%. This will cost say 2.00% upfront. If after 2mths the USD/CHF is at 1.65, the compound call can be exercised and the investor can pay 2.50% for the 4mth 1.60 call. The total cost has been 4.50%. If the USD/CHF falls, the option can lapse and the total loss to the investor is only 2.00% instead of 4.00% if they had purchased the straight call.

  18. COMPOUND OPTIONS (CONTD.) • PRICING • Firstly the price of the forward starting option will be determined, using the implied future rates and volatilities. This option value is then used as the underlying for the compound option. As with normal options, volatility of the underlying will be a key factor of the value. However, with compound options it is more significant as it has a double effect. If volatility rises, this raises the value of the option. With a compound option, an increase in volatility will also increase the value of the underlying asset (another option). • TARGET MARKET • The Compound Option can be used when there is uncertainty about the need for hedging in a certain period. A typical example is the tender for a contract as described above. The structure can also be used to leverage a position; with very little upfront premium it is possible to take substantial positions. • ADVANTAGES • Large leverage • Cheaper than straight options

  19. Average Rate Options :Description • There are two types of Average Rate Options: • Average Spot Rate Option • Average Strike Rate Option • Average Spot Rate OptionsYou select price, expiry date and averaging dates. The averaging dates can be as frequent as required and need not to be at regular intervals. Similarly, the averaging amounts do not have to be equal. Funds are not exchanged until the final value date, at which time you receive the difference between the weighted average rate over the given period and the agreed strike price if the option is in the money.

  20. Average Strike Rate Option • You only select the expiry date, averaging dates and amounts. On the expiry date the weighted average rate becomes the strike price of the option. If this average rate/strike price is in the money at maturity, you receive the difference between the average rate/strike price and the spot rate at that time. • Typical Uses • A company, with periodic payments or receivables wishing to gain trend protection against unfavourable currency movements (Average Spot Rate Option). • A company with an invoiced cost for materials based on the average of spot exchange rates over a defined period (Average Spot Rate Option). • A company required to translate profits at average exchange rates on balance dates (Average Strike Rate Option).

  21. Average Strike Rate Option Example Exposure You are an Australian subsidiary of a foreign company which must, at the end of each year, translate profits at an average exchange rate. The required averaging dates are the end of each month. In order to repatriate the profits in one year you will need to sell AUD. Current spot price is 0.5700 and the one year forward rate is 0.5750. Market View You are unsure of the future direction of the AUD. You want to protect yourself against an adverse currency movement but would like to benefit from any appreciation in the AUD.

  22. Possible Solution You purchase an AUD Put Average Strike Rate Option with averaging dates at the end of each month. This would cost 2.70% of the USD amount Outcome 1. If the average rate at year end is above the spot rate at expiry you exercise the option and the bank will pay the difference between the average rate (the rate at which you have translated your profits) and the spot price (the rate at which you can deal in the market at that time). 2. If the average rate is below the spot price at expiry the option is allowed to lapse as you have dealt at more advantageous average rates in the spot market.

  23. Average Spot Rate Option Example Exposure You are an Australian company that exports USD 1 million worth of goods to the US each month. You want to protect your receivables over the next 12 months. The current spot price is 0.5700. Market View You are unsure of the future direction of the AUD. You want to protect yourself against adverse currency movements but would like to benefit from any appreciation in the AUD.

  24. Possible Solution You purchase an AUD call Average Spot Rate Option with a strike of 0.5700 and averaging dates at the end of each month. The agreed source for the average rate is the 11.00am daily exchange rate recorded by the Reserve Bank of Australia on Reuters page HSRA This option will cost 1.85% of the USD amount. During the period, on each averaging date, you simply sell the US dollars you receive in the spot market for Australian dollars. By dealing as close to 4 p.m. as possible you can ensure that the average rate you effectively deal at over the year is very close to the average rate used to settle the Average Spot Rate Option.

  25. Outcome At the end of the period you will have effectively dealt at the average rate for the period. 1. If the average rate for the period is greater than 0.5700 you will exercise your option and your bank will pay you the difference between the average rate and the 0.5700 strike price. The amount you receive will effectively lower your actual dealing rates on average, to 0.5700 (provided the basis risk between the rate source for the averaging process and the rate you actually deal at each month is minimal). 2. If the average rate is below 0.5700 you would allow the option to lapse. In this case you will have benefited from the more advantageous averaging rate over the period in your monthly dealings.

  26. Advantages • Protection from adverse movements in exchange rates coupled with the flexibility to take advantage of favourable movements if they occur. • Structures tailored to your requirements as to strike price, averaging dates, expiry date and amount to be averaged at each date. • Cost effective relative to a standard option. • Simplifies exposure management. Changes to payments need not cause changes to the option. • Disadvantages • Premium Payable up-front. • Net settlement occurs only at end and thereby not matching cash flows. Basis risk between settlement rate (a mid point) and actual dealing rate.

  27. FADE IN OPTION DESCRIPTION There are two varieties, regular fade in and reverse fade in. They are like the corresponding barrier options (Knockin and Reverse Knockin respectively) in that there is a single barrier level, but instead of the option appearing when it is hit, for each day that spot fixes past the barrier, some amount of the option notional is added. Why? Like knockins and reverse knockins they can cheapen options, but even more so. Note too the option can start partially knocked in.

  28. FADE OUT OPTION DESCRIPTION There are two varieties, regular fade out and reverse fade out. They are like the corresponding barrier options (Knockout and Reverse Knockout respectively) in that there is a single barrier level, but instead of the option disappearing when it is hit, for each day that spot fixes past the barrier, some amount of the option notional is reduced. WHO/WHEN Like knockouts and reverse knockouts they can cheapen options but are less risky since they do not knockout completely. Note too the option can start partially knocked out.

  29. Assumption ExposureShort EUR/JPY Budget RateATMF 107.92 Spot Rate109.00 6Mth Fwd Rate107.92 Forward Extra Forward Extra Strike: 109.0 Trigger: 96.45 Zero Cost

  30. This structure allows the holder to take advantage of a guaranteed forward rate of 109.00, with an opportunity to benefit from a limited depreciation in the EUR against the JPY. If the EUR depreciates / JPY appreciates, but not beyond 96.46, the holder will be able to purchase EUR at the prevailing market rate at expiration. The best case rate at expiry would be 96.46 (96.45 not traded prior to expiry), a 10.6% improvement on the forward rate available at inception. If the underlying trades at 96.45 at any time during the life of the Forward Extra, the holder is obliged to purchase EUR / sell JPY at 109.00.

  31. For an additional twist to the Forward Extra outlined above, a window can be added to the trigger. Therefore, unlike the Forward Extra where the trigger is live throughout the life of the structure, the trigger in the Window Forward Extra is only live within the window period. This period is defined as either a Front Window, occurring at the beginning of the contract or a Back Window, occurring towards maturity. Window Forward Extra Window Fwd Extra strike: 109.00 Window Period: Back 2 Mths Trigger : 98.60 Zero Cost

  32. This structure again allows the holder to take advantage of a guaranteed forward rate of 109.00, with an opportunity to benefit from a limited depreciation in the EUR against the JPY. If the EUR depreciates / JPY appreciates, the holder will be able to purchase EUR at the prevailing market rate at expiration as long as the underlying has not traded at 98.60 in the window period. The underlying can trade at the trigger in the 4Mths prior to the window period without eradicating participation potential. The best case rate at expiry would be 98.61, an 8.6% improvement on the forward rate available at inception. If the underlying trades at 98.60 during the window period, the holder is obliged to purchase EUR / sell JPY at 109.00.

  33. Boosted Forward Boosted Strike: 103.50 Reset Strike: 109.00 Range: 97.50 - 117.50 Zero Cost

  34. This structure provides the holder with an opportunity to hedge at a rate that favorably exceeds the Forward contract alternative. In this example, the purchase of EUR / sale JPY at 103.50 versus the Forward 107.92. The holder will be hedged at all times and both the Boosted and Reset Rate are known to the holder at inception. If the pre-determined range remains unbroken by expiry, then the holder purchases EUR / sells JPY at 103.50 a 4.1% improvement over the forward. If the underlying trades outside the range, the holder will purchase EUR / sell JPY at 109.00. This is the worse case rate (1% out-of-the-money forward) and is known at inception.

  35. A Canadian Co. has to buy US$10m in 6 months time. It is in a highly competitive industry with tight margins. It has established a budget target of 0.8500 for these USD purchases. The current 6 month forward rate is 0.8700. Flexible Forwards With the flexible forward, the company could consider the following strategy which combines aspects of the Vanilla Option and the Forward. ExampleThe company has the right to buy USD in 6 months at no worse than 0.8600. This option converts to a forward at 0.8600 in 6 months time if the spot hits 0 .9450. No up-front premium. In essence, the company can avail of all USD weakness up to 0.9450. This potential would not exist with the standard forward. Of course, if the spot hits 0.9450, a company is left with a forward 0.8600.

  36. Flexible Participating Forward Example The Canadian company has the right to buy USD in 6mths at no worse than the budget rate of 0.8500 (eg Vanilla Option) It can avail of all USD weakness up to 0.9300 If however, the spot hits 0.9300 over the next 6 months, the option hedge turns into a Participating Forward with a 40% participation rate. Therefore, the company has guaranteed a worst case rate of 0.8500, in line with the budget target. However, the company can avail of 40% of all favourable moves (ie USD weakness) at maturity. So for example, if the spot is 0.9700 at maturity A Co. effective USD purchase rate is approx. 0.9000 (60% @ 0.8500 and 40% at 0.9700).

  37. Options on Futures A call (put) on a futures contract with strike X gives you the right to establish a long (short) position in the futures contract at a futures price X. If you exercise, your position will be marked to market at the end of the day. A September EUR futures contract on EUR 125000 is currently trading at $1.0660; if you exercise a call with strike 0.9950, you become the owner of one September EUR futures contract with a price of $0.9950. You will open a margin account with a deposit of say 5% of the contract value. If the settlement price is $1.0660, your margin account will be credited with $(1.0660-0.9950)(125000) = $8875.

  38. Futures Style Options First consider a forward contract expiring at time T on an option with the same expiry date. The option is on the underlying currency. Essentially you pay the option premium at the time of expiry. A futures style option is like a forward-style option but with marking-to-market. Suppose you buy a futures style option on EUR 125000 at a price of $0.02 per EUR. You pay a margin as in futures. On the second day the option settles at $0.03. You can withdraw $(125000)(0.03-0.02) = $1250. Next day the option settles at $0.035 and expires. You gain a further $625 and now have to pay $0.035 premium per EUR. Ignoring time value you pay a net amount = $(4375-1250-625) = $2500. Whether you exercise the option or not depends upon (ST – X).

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