Deriv HW #1
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Q1.2 Explain carefully the difference between hedging, speculation, and arbitrage.
Hedging is a risk management strategy used to offset the risk of adverse price movements in a
security. The investor will take an opposite position in a related asset to the primary asset. For
example, if a corn farmer is worried about falling corn prices, they can hedge their long position
(as a farmer is inherently betting on the profitability of corn) by selling wheat futures contracts.
The aim of hedging is not to profit but to minimize downside risk. If a primary asset has adverse
price movements, the losses incurred can be offset by the hedge.
Speculation involves calculated bets on future profit assets. Unlike hedging, the aim is to profit
here. Spectators seek to capitalize on changes in asset pricing. Speculators take positions in
assets, often without any need for it, based on their forecasts of future prices. They seek to buy
low and sell high (or sell high and buy low) – this depends on whether they anticipate prices to
rise or fall. Finally, arbitrage is a profit strategy aiming to exploit price inefficiencies or
differences in price for the same asset in different markets. An arbitrage investor would buy and
sell an asset at the same time in different markets to profit from a price discrepancy. For
example, perhaps I buy Stock A on the US Exchange and then sell on the Tokyo Exchange,
where Stock A is priced slightly here as part of a temporary price discrepancies
– I reap the
difference as a profit. Arbitrage overall aims to lock in profit without any market risk. The
problem in the modern era is computerized automation makes it harder to find discrepancies.
Q 2.10 Explain how margin accounts protect futures traders against the possibility of default.
Margin accounts ensure traders have the proper funds to cover their positions, incentivizing
responsible risk taking and risk management. When traders open a futures position, they are
required to deposit an initial margin – a percentage of the total contract value and collateral for
the trade. This makes sure traders have some financial stake in the contract, reducing default
possibility. In addition to the initial margin, exchanges also set maintenance margin
requirements. This is slightly higher than the initial margin. If the value of the futures contract
moves against the trader, causing their equity to fall below the maintenance margin, the trader
must deposit additional funds to bring the margin back up to the required level. Futures
contracts are marked to the market daily, meaning that gains or losses are settled at the close of
the market. Marking to market ensures that traders' margin accounts reflect their current
financial obligations accurately. If a trader's losses exceed the margin they have deposited, they
may receive a margin call, which is when they are forced to deposit additional funds to cover
their positions. Finally, if a margin call is not met or a trader can’t meet margin requirements, the
broker can liquidate their positions. . This helps protect against the risk of default by ensuring
that losses are covered before they escalate to a level where the trader can’t cover their losses
and enter into default.
Q 2.11 A trader buys two July futures contracts on frozen orange juice concentrate. Each
The contract is for the delivery of 15,000 pounds. The current futures price is 160 cents per
pound, the initial margin is $6,000 per contract, and the maintenance margin is $4,500 per
contract. What price change would lead to a margin call? Under what circumstances could
$2,000 be withdrawn from the margin account?
6000 - 4500 = 1500 * 2 contracts = 3000 loss will cause a margin call
Profits = (X - $1.60) * 15,000 * 2
Profits = (X - $1.60) * 30,000
-3000 = (X - 1.60) * 30,000
X = -3000/30,000 + 1.60 = $1.50
1.60 - 1.50 = .10 cents
1000 rise per contract needed * 2 contracts = 2000
2,000 = (X - 1.60) * (15,000 * 2)
2,000 = (X - 1.60) * 30,000
X = 2,000/30,000 + 1.60 = $1.667
1.667 - 1.60 = 6.67 cents
There is a margin call if more than $1,500 is lost on one contract. This happens if the futures
price of frozen orange juice falls by more than 10 cents to below 150 cents per pound. $2,000
can be withdrawn from the margin account if there is a gain on one contract of $1,000. This will
happen if the futures price rises by 6.67 cents to 166.67 cents per pound.
Q 2.19 “Speculation in futures markets is pure gambling. It is not in the public interest to allow
speculators to trade on a futures exchange.” Discuss this viewpoint.
Some people against this view would claim that letting people gamble on futures is creating
more risk and volatility for no necessary reason. But, others would argue that people should be
allowed to seek profit if they would like in a free market, and spectators also add liquidity to the
market. However, contracts must have some useful economic purpose. Regulators may only
approve contracts when they are likely to be of interest to hedgers as well as speculators. OTC
trading also provides a way to circumvent traditional exchanges, although they have their own
risks.
Q 2.22 “When a futures contract is traded on the floor of the exchange, it may be the case that
the open interest increases by one, stays the same, or decreases by one.” Explain this.
If both sides/parties are entering into a new contract, the open interest increases by one. If one
party is entering into a new contract while the other party is closing out an existing position, the
open interest stays the same. If both parties are closing out existing positions, the open interest
decreases by one.
Q2.30 A company enters into a short futures contract to sell 5,000 bushels of wheat for
750 cents per bushel. The initial margin is $3,000 and the maintenance margin is $2,000.
What price change would lead to a margin call? Under what circumstances could $1,500
be withdrawn from the margin account?
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