In: Finance
A stock is traded at $50 a share, and there will be no dividend on the stock in 6 months. The 6-month European calls and puts on the stock with same strike price of $45 are traded at $8 and $2, respectively. The six-month risk-free rate is 5% with continuous compounding. Is there an arbitrage opportunity? If yes, construct an arbitrage portfolio and clearly explain how arbitrage profits are created. If no, why?
a]
As per the put-call parity equation, C + (K/ert) = P + S
where C = price of call option,
P = price of put option,
S = current stock price
K = strike price of option
r = risk free rate
t = time to expiration in years
We plug in the values into the equation :
C + (K/ert) = P + S
8 + (45/e(0.05*(6/12))) = 2 + 50
8 + 43.67 = 2 + 50
51.67 = 52
We can see that the left hand side is lower than the right hand side by (52 - 51.67) = 0.33
To make an arbitrage profit, we buy the left hand side (fiduciary call) and sell the right hand side (protective put).
When the options expire in 6 months, there are two scenarios. The spot price of the stock will either be above $45 or below $45.
If the stock price at expiration is above $45
If the stock price at expiration is below $45
In either case, arbitrage profit = $0.33