Final answer:
The expected value of the real cost of hedging payables is -$35,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the expected value of the real cost of hedging payables, we need to consider the different exchange rate scenarios and their probabilities. Given a 40% chance of the spot rate being $1.02 and a 60% chance of the spot rate being $1.09, we can calculate the expected value using the formula:
Expected value = (Probability of scenario 1 x Real cost of scenario 1) + (Probability of scenario 2 x Real cost of scenario 2)
Using the given information, the expected value of the real cost of hedging payables is calculated as:
Expected value = (0.4 x $500,000 x (1.07 - 1.02)) + (0.6 x $500,000 x (1.07 - 1.09)) = -$35,000