Suppose there is a financial asset ABC, which is the underlying asset for a futures contract with settlement six months from now. You know the following about this financial asset and the futures contract:
In the cash market ABC is selling for $80.
ABC pays $8 per year in two semi-annual payments of $4, and the next semi-annual payment is due exactly six months from now.
The current six-month interest rate at which funds can be loaned or borrowed is 6%.
Respond to these questions:
a. What is the theoretical (or equilibrium) futures price?
b. What action would you take if the futures price is $83? What is the profit?
c. What action would you take if the futures price is $76? What is the profit?