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CFA Institute Exam CFA-Level-II Topic 1 Question 89 Discussion

Actual exam question for CFA Institute's CFA Level II Chartered Financial Analyst exam
Question #: 89
Topic #: 1
[All CFA Level II Chartered Financial Analyst Questions]

Michelle Norris, CFA, manages assets for individual investors in the United States as well as in other countries. Norris limits the scope of her practice to equity securities traded on U .S . stock exchanges. Her partner, John Witkowski, handles any requests for international securities. Recently, one of Norris's wealthiest clients suffered a substantial decline in the value of his international portfolio. Worried that his U .S . allocation might suffer the same fate, he has asked Norris to implement a hedge on his portfolio. Norris has agreed to her client's request and is currently in the process of evaluating several futures contracts. Her primary interest is in a futures contract on a broad equity index that will expire 240 days from today. The closing price as of yesterday, January 17, for the equity index was 1,050. The expected dividends from the index yield 2% (continuously compounded annual rate). The effective annual risk-free rate is 4.0811%, and the term structure is flat. Norris decides that this equity index futures contract is the appropriate hedge for her client's portfolio and enters into the contract.

Upon entering into the contract, Norris makes the following comment to her client:

"You should note that since we have taken a short position in the futures contract, the price we will receive for selling the equity index in 240 days will be reduced by the convenience yield associated with having a long position in the underlying asset. If there were no cash flows associated with the underlying asset, the price would be higher. Additionally, you should note that if we had entered into a forward contract with the same terms, the contract price would most likely have been lower but we would have increased the credit risk exposure of the portfolio."

Sixty days after entering into the futures contract, the equity index reached a level of 1,015. The futures contract that Norris purchased is now trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for a price of 1,035. Interest rates have not changed. After performing some calculations, Norris calls her client to let him know of an arbitrage opportunity related to his futures position. Over the phone, Norris makes the following comments to her client:

"We have an excellent opportunity to earn a riskless profit by engaging in arbitrage using the equity index, risk-free assets, and futures contracts. My recommended strategy is as follows: We should sell the equity index short, buy the futures contract, and pay any dividends occurring over the life of the contract. By pursuing this strategy, we can generate profits for your portfolio without incurring any risk."

Evaluate Norris's comments regarding the convenience yield on the equity index futures contract and the differences between a forward and a futures contract with the same terms.

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Suggested Answer: C

Norris is incorrect regarding the convenience yield. The price of an index futures contract is reduced by cash flows from the underlying asset, but the reduction comes from the future value of the cash flows, not from an implied cost for retaining the use of the underlying asset. The comment regarding the difference between the futures and forward contracts is also incorrect. In a flat (constant) interest rate environment (indicated in the first paragraph of the item set), there Is no difference in the prices of futures or forward contracts. The part of the comment relating to credit risk is correct. Since the forward contracts are not marked to market each day, the value is not reset to zero each day and credit risk is higher since large losses are allowed to accumulate. Thus, the credit risk would increase if forwards were used instead of futures. (Study Session 16, LOS 59.c,d)


Contribute your Thoughts:

Nobuko
27 days ago
Hold up, did Norris just suggest a riskless arbitrage strategy? What is she, some kind of financial wizard? I need to get her number, because I've got a bridge to sell her.
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Elmer
5 days ago
I agree, she seems to have a good grasp on arbitrage opportunities.
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Claribel
9 days ago
Norris is a financial expert, she knows her stuff.
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Ma
1 months ago
Hmm, I'm not convinced Norris has it all figured out. The convenience yield part is correct, but the forwards vs. futures bit sounds a bit shaky. Hopefully she doesn't lead this poor client astray.
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Gabriele
7 days ago
I think Norris might be onto something with the convenience yield, but I'm not so sure about the difference between forwards and futures.
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Raymon
1 months ago
Wow, Norris really knows her stuff! The convenience yield explanation is textbook, and the forward vs. futures comparison is on point. This client is in good hands.
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Edwin
1 months ago
I believe Norris is incorrect about both the convenience yield and the difference between forwards and futures.
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Trinidad
1 months ago
Norris's comments on the convenience yield seem spot on, but I'm not sure about the difference between forwards and futures. Seems like she might be mixing things up there.
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Heike
8 days ago
Norris: Exactly. It's an important factor to consider when evaluating futures contracts.
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Harley
9 days ago
Client: So, the convenience yield makes the futures contract price lower than it would be without it?
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Sherill
10 days ago
Norris: The convenience yield is the benefit or premium associated with holding the physical asset rather than a futures contract. It reduces the price of the futures contract.
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Noah
20 days ago
I agree, but I'm not sure about the difference between forwards and futures.
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Gladys
24 days ago
I think Norris is right about the convenience yield.
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Garry
26 days ago
Client: Can you explain more about the convenience yield and how it affects the futures contract?
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Florinda
1 months ago
I agree with Gilberto, the convenience yield is an important factor to consider.
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Gilberto
1 months ago
I think Norris is correct about the convenience yield.
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