Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Ming Yu Chan Sunil K. Dixit Alex Galiu Kevin Han Baban Pal Singh FIN 570- International Financial Management Summer 2008 California State University, Fullerton
2
Company History 1926: Formed from a merger between Deutsche Aero Lloyd (DAL) and Junkers Luftverkehr 1934-1938: Opens first trans-oceanic 1939-1945: (War-time) All flights discontinued in 1945 1951-1955: Post war air transport resumes 1960: Enters the jet age 2005: Celebrates the 50th anniversary of its postwar re-entry
3
Company Background Corporate headquarters - in Cologne Main base and primary traffic hub - Frankfurt International Airport in Frankfurt am Main Second hub - Munich International Airport Largest airline in Europe World’s sixth largest airline
4
Company Background Five business segments – Passenger Transportation, Logistic, MRO Business, Catering and IT Service Core Business - Passenger Transportation Founding member of Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance Services to 209 destinations in 81 countries
5
Herr Heinz Ruhnau Lufthansa Chairman on July 1, 1982 – Sept 1, 1991 - No private enterprise experience Undersecretary in the Transport Ministry of West Germany Strong affiliations with the West German Social Democratic Party Immediate task - improve Lufthansa's thin profit margin
6
Herr Heinz Ruhnau - Contd Chairman – Supervisor Board - Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG (1996-2003) Now a honorary Professor - Technical University Dresden - Institute of Economics and Logistics Frequent speaker – on Transport and Eastern European Economies
7
Case Overview January 1985 - purchased twenty Boeing 737 Trading price: US$500 million due in January 1986 Exchange rate: DM3.2/$ - January 1985
8
Exchange Rate Fluctuation Upward USD since 1980 If USD continued to rise, the total cost to Lufthansa would also rise Spot rate, DM 2.8/$
9
Economic Environment USA GDP Growth Rate – 1984: 6.8% – 1985: 2.4%* Inflation – 1984: 4.3% – 1985: 3.55% Banks Prime Lending Rate. – 1985: 10.61% Sources: 1984 – OECD; 1985 – Private Bank Forecasts (WSJ) Germany GDP Growth Rate – 1984: 2.6% – 1985: 3.%* Inflation – 1984: 2.4% – 1985: 2.5%* Banks Prime Lending Rate – 1985: 9.53% * Forecast
10
Economic Environment - Contd Predictions Based on key economic Data – US Dollar - expected to Depreciate against German DM in 1986 – German DM - expected to Appreciate against US Dollar in 1986
11
Decision Outcome 50% forward contract @ DM3.2/$ The remaining 50% uncovered The spot rate in January 1986 = DM 2.3/$ Total DM Cost Forward Contract (DM3.2/$)800 million Uncovered (DM2.3/$)575 million Total1,375 million
12
Decision Outcome Herr Ruhnau was summoned to meet with Lufthansa’s board Was accused of recklessly speculating with Lufthansa’s money
13
DM Rate Forecast International Fisher Effect US prime rate in Jan 1985: 10.61% German banks’ prime lending rate in Jan 1985: 9.53% Spot rate in Jan 1985: DM3.2/$ Projected spot rate in Jan 1986: = DM 3.168/$
14
DM Rate Forecast Purchasing Power Parity US inflation in 1985: 3.55% German inflation in 1985: 2.5% Spot rate in Jan 1985: DM3.2/$ Projected spot rate in Jan 1986: = DM 3.168/$
15
January 1986 - DM Spot Rate Projections Purchasing power parity: DM3.168/$ International fisher effect: DM3.168/$ Forward rate (Given in the case): DM3.2/$
16
Lufthansa’s Issues - Basic Importance Urgency LowHigh Low I Level of FX Transaction Risk/Management Competency II Economic Environment (You cannot control) High III Risk Aversion/ company’s FX policy IV Hedging Solution and Forecast
17
Lufthansa’s Issues - Immediate Importance Urgency LowHigh Low I Timing of Purchase (1 Year to Delivery) II Adequacy of Funds/Capital High III Delivery of Airplanes IV Cost of Hedging
18
Cause/Effect Analysis Basic Issues FX Rate Forecast Economic Environment Adequacy of Funds Hedging Decision Purchase Contract FX Risk Aversion Cost of Hedging
19
Cause/Effect Analysis Immediate Issues Hedging Method Cost of Hedging Contract Date Covenants Restrictions Delivery Date
20
FX Transaction Risk FX Exposure - Acquisition of assets - Proceeds payable in foreign currency (US $) - May result in higher costs – if DM depreciates against US $ - Reduce/manage FX Risk
21
Decision Criteria Sound hedging policy - desirable for FX transaction risks Our Forecast - US $ was to depreciate Lufthansa’s covenants – restrictions on debt amounts & currencies of denomination Assumption - jets would be delivered on time US Operations – US $ cash inflows insufficient Not enough facts - Boeing vs. Airbus issue or timing or purchase – Assumed Sound Business Decisions
22
Hedging Alternatives Uncovered Forward contract cover Partial forward uncovered Foreign currency option Buy dollar now
23
Alternative Analysis #1 Uncovered Option USD (Million) Rate TypeDM/$ Total DM cost (Million) Risk Uncovered 500 Spot - Actual Jan 1986 2.31,150High Uncovered 500 Spot Forecast Jan 1986 (PPP) 3.1681,584High Uncovered500 Spot Forecast Jan 1986 (IFE) 3.1681,584High Maximum Risk – Speculative Gain/Loss Possible
24
Alternative Analysis #2 Full Forward Cover Option USD (Million) Rate TypeDM/$ Total DM cost (Million)Risk Full Forward Cover 500Forward3.21,600Low Minimum Risk – Costs higher
25
Alternative Analysis #3 Partial Forward Cover OptionUSD (Million)Rate TypeDM/$ Total DM cost (Million)Risk 250Forward3.2800 Medium Partial Forward Cover 50:50250 Spot - Actual Jan 19862.3575 Medium 250 Spot Forecast Jan 1986 (PPP)3.168792 Medium 250Spot Forecast Jan 1986 (IFE) 3.168792Medium Medium Risk – Partial Hedge
26
Alternative Analysis #4 DM Put Options Option USD (Million)Rate TypeDM/$ Total DM cost (Million)Risk DM Put Options500Strike Price3.21,600 Low Premium 6% 96 If Not Exercised (6%) 96 Spot - Actual Jan 1986 2.31,150 Total1,246Low Low Risk – Freedom to Walk Away – Sunk Cost (Premium)
27
Alternative Analysis #5 Buy Dollar Now Option USD (Million)Rate TypeDM/$ Total DM cost (Million)Risk Buy Dollar Now & Invest DM (Full Contract)500Spot3.21,600Low DM Interest @ 6.3125% p.a.101 Total1,701 USD Interest @ 9.5625% (US$47.8125 Million)2.3110 Total1,591Low No Risk – Availability of cash? – Covenants’ Restrictions on debt
28
Alternatives Summary AlternativeScenarioCost (DM) -MillionTotal CostsRisk Uncovered$ 500 x 2.31,150 High $ 500 x 3.1681,584 Full Fwd$ 500x3.21,600 Low Partial FWD$ 250x3.2800 (50:50)$ 250x2.35751,375Medium $ 250x3.2800 $ 250x3.1687921,592High DM Put Options$ 500x3.2 plus 6% prem1,696 Low $ 500x2.3 plus 6% prem1,246 Low $ 500 x 3.168 plus 6% prem1,680 Low
29
Recommendation Uncovered position - not desirable Corporate FX hedging policy Implement 6 steps to hedge against FX exposure Corporate decision-making Experience does matter Forward not the right tool in this case Exit if US$ depreciates
30
Recommendation (Contd) Buy DM Put Options If US $ appreciates = USD 500 x 3.2 + 6% = DM 1.696 Billion If dollar declined to DM 2.3/$ = USD 500 x 2.3 + DM 96 Mil = DM 1.246 Billion Downside = costs DM 96 million more than uncovered position Benefit = 100% hedging
31
Foreign Exchange Risk Management Steps Forecasting Risk Estimation Benchmarking Hedging Reporting & Review Contingency Steps
32
Lufthansa’s Hedging Policy 2007 “Lufthansa Finance Cockpit” Capital expenditure on aircraft: 50% hedging Review every 6 months Hedging level revised upto 90%
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.