Question

A company has a $20 million portfolio with a beta of 1.2. It would like to use futures contracts on a stock index to hedge its risk. The index futures price is currently standing at 1080, and each contract is for delivery of $250 times the index. What is the hedge that minimizes risk

Answer 1

Answer: 88.89 or 89

Explanation: Futures contract refers to a legal binding which obligates a buyer and seller to transact about a commodity, good, security or services at a predetermined price but goods are delivered or paid for in the future.

Given the following ;

Portfolio value(p) = $20million

Portfolio Beta (b) = 1.2

Index price (i) = 1080

Multiplier = 250

Future value(A) = index price × multiplier

Future value(A) = 1080 × 250 = 270000

Number of contracts (N) = (portfolio value × portfolio Beta) ÷ future value

N = ($20,000,000×1.2)÷270000

N = 24000000 ÷×270000

N = 88.8888=88.89

N = 89 (NEAREST whole number)