1. Compare the relative liquidity characteristics of direct versus indirect investment in real estate. Discuss three factors that affect the liquidity of both forms of investment.

2. Adel retired from his firm. He has continued to hold his private retirement investments in a portfolio of common stocks and bonds. At the beginning of 2015, when he retired, his account was valued at SAR500,000. By the end of 2015, the value of his account was SAR530,500. Adel made no contributions to or withdrawals from the portfolio during 2015. What rate of return did Adel earn on his portfolio during 2015?

3. Ahmad follows the automotive industry, including ABC Motor Company. Based on ABC’s 2020 annual report, Ahmad writes the following summary: ABC Motor Company has businesses in several countries around the world. ABC frequently has expenditures and receipts denominated in non-U.S. currencies, including purchases and sales of finished vehicles and production parts, subsidiary dividends, investments in non-U.S. operations, etc. ABC uses a variety of commodities in the production of motor vehicles, such as nonferrous metals, precious metals, ferrous alloys, energy, and plastics/resins. ABC typically purchases these commodities from outside suppliers. To finance its operations, ABC uses a variety of funding sources, such as commercial paper, term debt, and lines of credit from major commercial banks. The company invests any surplus cash in securities of various types and maturities, the value of which are subject to fluctuations in interest rates. ABC has a credit division, which provides financing to customers wanting to purchase ABC’s vehicles on credit. Overall, ABC faces several risks. To manage some of its risks, ABC invests in fixed-income instruments and derivative contracts. Some of these investments do not rely on a clearing house and instead effect settlement through the execution of bilateral agreements.

Based on the above discussion, recommend, and justify the risk exposures that should be reported as part of an Enterprise Risk Management System for ABC Motor Company.

Answer

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Q-4 The party with a short position in a futures contract has quality, timing, and delivery options.

Do these options increase or decrease the futures price? Provide your view.

Answer

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