Help, CFA Level 1 Arbitrage Question (Can't Find Correct Forum Topic)
I was working on a practice test for Level 1 when I came across this bugger. The answer provided makes absolutely no sense to me. I honestly think they made an error. If I don't get to the bottom of this it will really bother me. Please give it a shot and let me know. Should be very simple.
Question:
An investor examines the following rate quotes for the Brazilian real and the Australian dollar and shorts BRL 500,000.
Spot rate BRL/AUD 2.1128 BRL 1-year interest rate 4.1%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forward rate BRL/AUD 2.1388 AUD 1-year interest rate 3.1%
Question:
The risk-free arbitrage profit that is available is closest to:
a) BRL6,405.
b) BRL1,344.
c) –BRL6,327
b) is the Correct answer...somehow
This is how I got my answer:
Scenario 1(invest locally) vs Scenario 2(invest abroad then convert back):
Scenario 1.
Step 1: Simply invest 500,000 BRL locally @ 4.1%
= 500,000 * 1.041 = 520,500 BRL
VS.
Scenario 2.
Step 1: Convert 500,000 BRL to AUD, @ BRL/AUD = 2.1128 (2.1128 AUD for every 1 BRL)
500,000 * 2.1128 = 1,056,400 AUD
Step 2: Invest that 1,056,400 AUD @ 3.1% for 1 year
1,056,400 * 1.031 = 1,089,148 AUD
Step 3: Convert that 1,089,148 AUD back to BRL @ BRL/AUD 2.1388 (Locked in Forward Rate)
2.1388 AUD for every 1 BRL, so 1,089,148/2.1388 = 509,233 BRL
RESULT: Scenario 2 - Scenario 1
Arbitrage Profit = 509,233 BR - 520,500 BRL = -11,267 BRL
Ergo, no arbitrage profit, you are better off keeping those BRL and investing locally
Am I missing something here?? or is it an error?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This is what the answer key gave me:
Left side of equation: BRL500,000 × (1+.041) = BRL520,500
Right Side:
1
BRL500,000 × (1/2.1128AUD/BRL) = AUD236,653 --- **Why are they doing 1 over spot?**
**500,000 BRL= 1,056,400 AUD not 236,653 AUD wtf?**
Convert domestic to foreign
2
AUD236,653 × (1.031) = AUD243,989
Invest foreign @ foreign rate
3
AUD243,989 × 2.1388 = BRL521,844
Convert foreign to domestic
Arbitrage profit = BRL521,844 – BRL520,500= BRL1,344 ----Wtf? Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
They definitely gave you the BRL/AUD rate and called it AUD/BRL. Does it seem logical to you that the Brazilian real would be stronger than Aussie dollars?
Though it's the other way around - they gave you the AUD/BRL rate but called it BRL/AUD.
Yes
Quo molestiae iure dicta id molestias qui. Sit sit nesciunt explicabo provident vitae numquam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...