Suppose That the Futures Index for the S&P 500 for Delivery

question 55

Essay

Suppose that the futures index for the S&P 500 for delivery one year from now is selling for $960,000, whereas the stocks are selling for $900,000. If the one-year Treasury bill rate is 5%, is it possible to use index arbitrage to make a profit?

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Definitions:

Efficient Outcome

A situation where resources are allocated in a way that maximizes net benefits to society and cannot be improved upon by making any one individual better off without making someone else worse off.

Simultaneous Move Game

A strategic situation where all players make their moves at the same time without knowledge of the others' choices.

Centralized Purchasing

The process where one central department within an organization is responsible for making all purchasing decisions to achieve efficiencies and cost savings.

Equilibrium

A situation where the equilibrium of market forces of supply and demand results in stable prices.