In: Finance
Suppose you notice that the April gold futures price is $1,520, while that for December is $1,540 (both prices are per ounce). Historically, this spread has been around $15. Suggest a trading strategy that you might set up in the hope that the spread would revert to its historical level next month.
( I need a clear and detail answer please)
April gold future=$ 1520
December gold future=$1540
NormalSpread=$15
Expected December gold future=(1520+15)=$1535
Hence December Future is currently costlier.
Trading Strategy should be to buy cheap and sell at higher price
Trading Strategy:
Buy April gold future at $1520
Sell December gold future at $1540
It is expected that the spread will revert to $ 15 next month.
Suppose ,
Next month April gold future value is X
It is expected that December future will be X+15
If X is lower than $1520 (Say it is $1515),there will be loss of $5 in April future
But,the December future will be X+$15 (as per this assumption, it would be $1515+15=$1530)
There will be gain of $10(1540-1530)in December future.
Hence ,there will be net gain of (10-5)=$5
Now,assume :
X is higher than $1520 ,say $1525
The December future will be (1525+15)=1540
There will be gain of $5 (1525-1520) for buying April future.
For sale of December future will have no gain or loss.
Hence, there will be net gain of $5