In: Economics
You notice that the interest rate in euros is 5% and the U.S. interest rate is 15%. The current exchange rate is 1.1 $ / €. The forward rate (one year) is 1.25 $ / €. Suppose you had $1,000.
How could you make money with covered interest arbitrage? Circle dollars or pounds, put numbers in blanks.
Borrow 1,000 (dollars or euros) at _______%
Turn the 1,000 (euros or dollars) into _________________ (dollars or euros).
Earn interest of ______% to have ________________ (dollars or euros) after a year.
Use the forward rate to turn proceeds into ___________________ (dollars or euros)
Pay back loan and earn _______________ (dollars or euros)
Interest rate in euros = 5%
Interest rate in the US = 15%
Scenario 1: Borrow in euros and invest in dollars
Exchange rate is 1 euro = $1.1
Therefore, 1,000 euros = $1.1 * $1,000 = $1,100
Invest $11,00 in the US at an interest rate of 15%
Amount of dollars received after 1 year = (1+15%)*$1,100 = 1.15 * $1,100 = $1,265
Forward exchange rate is 1 euro = $1.25 => $1 = 1/1.25 euro
Converting $1,265 into euros: $1,265 * 1/1.25 euro/$ = 1,012 euros
Euro repayment = (1+5%) * 1,000 euros = 1.05 * 1,000 euros = 1,050 euros
The euro repayment value is higher than the interest received in the US $. Therefore, there is no arbitrage opportunity in this scenario
Scenario 2: Borrow in US $ and invest in euros
Exchange rate is 1 euro = $1.1
Therefore, $1,000 = $1,000 * 1 euro/$1.1 = 909.09 euros
Amount of euros received after 1 year = (1+5%) * 909.09 = 1.05 * 909.09 euros = 954.54 euros
Forward exchange rate is 1 euro = $1.25
Converting 954.54 euros into US $: 954.54 * $1.25/euro = $1,193.18
Dollar repayment = (1+15%) * $1,000 = 1.15 * $1,000 = $1,150
Dollar amount earned through arbitrage = $1,193.18 - $1,150 = $43.18
1. Borrow 1,000 dollars at 15%
2. Turn the 1,000 dollars into 909.09 euros
3. Earn interest of 5% to have 954.54 euros after a year
4. Use the forward rate to turn proceeds into $1,193.18 dollars
5. Pay back loan and earn 43.18 dollars