1. The value of an S&P 500 futures contract is $250 times the index. Assume the futures price on the S&P 500 index is 1612 at the time of purchase. If the index price is $1619 when the position is closed out, what is the gain?
2. Bill Baher, a private investor, purchased a futures contract on Treasury bonds at a price of 102-12. Two months later, Baher sells the same futures contract in order to close out the position. At that time, the futures contract specifies 103-15. What is Baher's nominal profit? The par value of the futures contract is $100,000.