Expanding Abroad
Companies expanding abroad need to assess the risk of a mode of entry in the context of their capabilities and tolerance for risk
Diversified companies with experience in an area can put more capital at risk. Companies might use a ‘platform country’ to enter a new market
Companies with intellectual property or brand equity may need to put capital at risk to protect those assets
Exporting from the home country poses different sorts of risks than operating a subsidiary abroad
Borrowing in a host country currency to do projects in that area can be a prudent way to mitigate exchange risk
However, some emerging markets countries are reliant on outside finance, and have high short-term refinancing requirements
“Focus on these markets is underpinned by the fear of a ‘sudden stop’, where capital flows halt or even reverse.
If this happens, the impact on indebted corporations can be devastating, with knock on effects for banks.” (FT, 15 January 2014)
Recent depreciations in some emerging markets national currencies have inflated the local currency values of their hard currency debt, straining repayment capacities (repaying debt denominated in another currency)