Question 21.1: Exchange Rate Movement: Good or Bad News? SITUATION: You are...

Exchange Rate Movement: Good or Bad News?
SITUATION: You are the purchasing agent for the U.S.-based firm buying steel in the example just discussed in the text. Your assistant, Omar, who is a British subject, runs into the office and breathlessly says: “The pound is stronger against the dollar! The new exchange rate is $1.70/£!” Is Omar’s report good news or bad news?

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DECISION: The fact that the pound has risen in value against the dollar is good news for Omar, because the British pounds he owns will now buy more U.S. goods. But for your firm, the news is bad. It now takes more U.S. dollars to purchase one British pound. At the new exchange rate, the British steel costs $197.20 per ton (£116 × $1.70/£ = $197.20).

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