Belzinger Beer is an international brewery listed on the Paris Stock Exchange and has its American Depository Receipts (ADR) shares that trade on the U.S. NASDAQ. John Toga, CFA, a portfolio manager for the Europa Fund, wishes to purchase shares in Belzinger. The current exchange rate is USD1.15 for one euro. The current price on the Paris Stock Exchange is 34.68 euros, while the ADRs are trading at USD40.00. Brokerage commissions are 0.50% commission in Paris, while commissions in the U.S. are 0.75%. If John wishes to purchase shares in Belzinger at the lowest cost, what exchange should he trade on?
A) |
U.S. NASDAQ, for a savings of $0.22 per share. | |
B) |
Paris, for a savings of $0.22 per share. | |
C) |
Paris, for a savings of $5.15 per share. | |
First, determine the cost of trading in the ADRs on the U.S. NASDAQ. USD40.00 + commissions (USD40 × 0.75% = USD0.30) = USD40.30 per share.
Second, determine the cost of trading on the Paris Stock Exchange: EUR34.68 + commissions (EUR34.68 × 0.50% = EUR0.17) = EUR34.85 per share. Convert to U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate = EUR34.85 × 1.15 = USD40.08
The savings would be greater in the Paris exchange. (USD40.30 ? USD40.08) = USD0.22 per share. |