1. The S&P 500 futures contract is scheduled to expire in half a year, and the interest rate for carrying

stocks over that period is 8%. The expected dividend rate on the underlying stocks for the same period is 2% of the value of the stocks (the 2% is the half-year rate, not an annual rate). Ignoring the interest that it might be possible to earn on the dividend payments, find the fair value for the futures if the current value of the index is 970.00.

2.

For the next three futures expirations, you observe the following Eurodollar quotations:

MAR        95.00

JUN         94.70

SEP        94.35

What shape does the yield curve have? Explain

3.Consider a firm financed only by common stock and a convertible bond issue. When should the bondholders exercise? Explain. If the common shares pay a dividend, could it make sense for the bondholders to exercise before the bond matures? Explain by relating your answer to our discussion of the exercise of American calls on dividend-paying stocks.

4.If the stock trades for $130, and the expiring put with an exercise price of $145 trades for $18, how would you trade?

5. At a party, a man tells you that he is an introducing broker. He goes on to explain that his job is introducing prospective traders such as you to futures brokers. He also relates that he holds margin funds as a service to investors. What do you make of this explanation?

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