Foreign Currency Transactions Explained
Key Concepts in Foreign Currency Transactions
1. Foreign Currency
Foreign currency refers to the money used in a country other than the one in which the financial statements are prepared. For example, if a Canadian company is preparing its financial statements in Canadian dollars (CAD), any transactions denominated in US dollars (USD) are considered foreign currency transactions.
2. Exchange Rate
The exchange rate is the value of one currency expressed in terms of another. It determines how much of one currency is needed to buy one unit of another. For instance, if the exchange rate is 1.30 CAD/USD, it means 1 USD can be exchanged for 1.30 CAD.
3. Spot Rate
The spot rate is the exchange rate for immediate delivery of currency. It is used for transactions that require immediate settlement. For example, if a company needs to convert CAD to USD immediately, it would use the spot rate.
4. Forward Rate
The forward rate is the exchange rate agreed upon today for a future date. It is used for hedging purposes to lock in an exchange rate for future transactions. For instance, a company might enter into a forward contract to buy USD at a specific rate in three months.
5. Functional Currency
The functional currency is the primary currency of the environment in which an entity operates. It is the currency in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash. For example, a Canadian subsidiary of a US parent company might use CAD as its functional currency.
6. Reporting Currency
The reporting currency is the currency in which the financial statements are presented. It is often the currency of the parent company or the primary market in which the entity operates. For example, a Canadian subsidiary might prepare its financial statements in USD if its parent company is based in the US.
7. Translation Adjustment
Translation adjustment arises when the financial statements of a foreign entity are translated into the reporting currency. It represents the difference between the translated assets and liabilities due to changes in exchange rates. For example, if a Canadian subsidiary's assets increase in value due to a stronger CAD, the translation adjustment would reflect this change.
8. Transaction Gain or Loss
A transaction gain or loss occurs when the exchange rate changes between the transaction date and the settlement date. For example, if a Canadian company buys goods from a US supplier for 10,000 USD when the exchange rate is 1.30 CAD/USD, and the rate changes to 1.25 CAD/USD by the time of payment, the company would realize a transaction loss.
9. Hedging
Hedging is a strategy used to mitigate the risk of adverse currency movements. It involves using financial instruments like forward contracts or options to lock in an exchange rate. For example, a company might hedge its future USD purchases by entering into a forward contract to buy USD at a fixed rate.
10. Remeasurement
Remeasurement is the process of converting foreign currency transactions and balances into the functional currency using historical exchange rates. It is used when the functional currency differs from the reporting currency. For example, a Canadian subsidiary might remeasure its USD transactions into CAD using historical rates.
11. Fair Value Hedge
A fair value hedge is a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or liability. It involves using a derivative to offset the risk of changes in the value of the hedged item due to currency fluctuations. For example, a company might use a futures contract to hedge against the risk of a decline in the value of its foreign currency receivables.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Spot Rate Transaction
A Canadian company buys equipment from a US supplier for 50,000 USD when the spot rate is 1.25 CAD/USD. The company pays for the equipment immediately, so it uses the spot rate to convert the transaction to CAD, resulting in a cost of 62,500 CAD.
Example 2: Forward Rate Hedging
A Canadian company expects to receive 100,000 USD in three months. To hedge against currency risk, it enters into a forward contract to sell USD at a rate of 1.30 CAD/USD. If the spot rate in three months is 1.20 CAD/USD, the company will still receive 130,000 CAD from the forward contract, mitigating the loss from the weaker USD.
Example 3: Translation Adjustment
A Canadian subsidiary of a US parent company has assets of 200,000 CAD when the exchange rate is 1.25 CAD/USD. The assets are translated into USD, resulting in 160,000 USD. If the CAD strengthens to 1.20 CAD/USD, the translated assets would be 166,667 USD, resulting in a translation adjustment of 6,667 USD.