In: Finance
A currency trader can borrow the equivalent of $1,000,000 (in either $s or €s) for one year. The one-year $US interest rate is 2%; the one-year Euro interest rate is 6%. The spot rate is $/€ 1.25 and the one-year forward rate is $/€ 1.20.
How much profit can be realized via covered interest arbitrage?
Step 1 : Borrow euro equal to $ 1000000
Borrow amount = 1000000 / Spot rate
= 1000000 / 1.25
= 800000 Euros
Outflow after 1 year = Borrow Amount * ( 1 + interest rate )
= 800000 * ( 1 + 0.06 )
= 848000 euros
Step 2 : Invest in dollar
In flow after year 1 = Investment Amount * ( 1 + interest rate )
= 1000000 * ( 1 + 0.02 )
= $ 1020000
Step 3 : Convert into Euros
Inflow ( in Euros ) = 1020000 / Forward rate
= 1020000 / 1.2
= 850000 Euros
Step 4 : Arbitrage profit
Profit = Inflow - Outflow
= Step 4 - Step 1
= 850000 - 848000
= 2000 Euros Answer
Hope you understand the solution.