Sally Ferguson, CFA, is a hedge fund manager. Ferguson utilizes both futures and forward contracts in the fund she manages. Ferg
uson makes the following statements about futures and forward contracts: Statement 1: A futures contract is an exchange traded instrument with standardized features.
Statement 2: Forward contracts are marked to market on a daily basis to reduce credit risk to both counterparties.
Are Ferguson's statements correct?
(A) Only one of these statements is correct.
(B) Both statements are correct.
(C) Neither statement is correct.
The correct answer is letter "B": Both statements are correct.
Explanation:
A futures contract is a type of forward contract between a buyer and a seller of an asset. They agree to exchange goods and money at a future date but at a price and quantity determined today. Futures contracts are standardized, regulated, and free of counterparty risk. In difference to other forward contracts, futures contracts are traded in secondary markets such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Intercontinental Exchange.
A forward contract is an agreement to buy and sell an asset at a future date. The price of the asset is fixed at the time the contract is executed. They are similar to a futures contract but forward contracts do not trade in an exchange.
From the question, we are informed that Carrie and Michael are married and will file a joint return and that they have a $5,000 long-term capital gain from the sale of stock. We are further told that their 2019 taxable income is $121,500.
Based on the above scenario, their capital gain will be taxed at a rate of 15%. This is due to the fact that when filing their status, they will be regarded as married and the applicable rate is 15% for an income that is between $78,751 and $488,850. Since they've $121,500 their rate will be 15%.
