Answer:
(a) The arbitrage strategy is to buy zeros with face values of $140 and $1,140 and respective maturities of one and two years, and simultaneously sell the coupon bond.
(b) The profit on the activity equals $0.72 on each bond.
Explanation:
The price of the coupon bond = 140 × PV(7.9%, 2) + 1000 × PV(7.9%, 2)
= 140 × (1-(1/1.079)^2)/0.079 + 1,000/1.079^2
= $1,108.93
If the coupons were withdrawn and sold as zeros individually, then the coupon payments could be sold separately on the basis of the zero maturity yield for maturities of one and two years.
[140/1.07] + [1,140/1.08^2] = $1,108.21.
The arbitrage strategy is to buy zeros with face values of $140 and $1,140 and respective maturities of one and two years, and simultaneously sell the coupon bond.
The profit on the activity equals $0.72 on each bond.
