1. Why does a rise in the dollar hurt Markel? How does a falling dollar help Markel? (Shapiro, p. 403)
2. What does Markel do to hedge its currency risk? Can Markel use hedging to completely eliminate its currency risk? (Shapiro, p. 403).
3. What are the basic elements of Markel’s pricing policy? Does this pricing policy reduce its currency risk? Explain. (Shapiro, p. 403)
4. What were the key components of Laker Airways’ operating
exposure? (Shapiro, p. 416)


1. Why does a rise in the dollar hurt Markel? How does a falling dollar help Markel? (Shapiro, p. 403) 2. What does Markel do to hedge its currency risk? Can Markel use hedging to completely eliminate...
Volkswagen's Hedging Strategy
1. Why did Volkswagen suffer a 95% drop in its 4th
quarter, 2003 profits?
2. Do you think the Volkswagen’s decision to hedge only 30% of
its anticipated U.S. sales was a good? Why or why not?
3. Do you think the Volkswagen’s decision to revert back to
hedging 70% of its foreign currency exposure was a good decision?
Why or why not?
Embraer and the Wild Ride of the Brazilian
Real
4. Is a decline in...