Question

The US dollar/euro exchange rate is $1.6/€ while the Canadian dollar/US dollar exchange rate is C$1.25/$. You also observe that the actual euro/Canadian dollar cross exchange rate is €.65/C$. Find the triangular arbitrage profit (in USD) available to someone that has access to $1,000,000. Round intermediate steps to four decimals and your final answer to two decimals. Do not use the dollar sign when entering your answer.

Answer 1

$300,000

Step-by-step explanation:

I have $1,000,000 which I can use to buy C$1,250,000 (C$ = $1,000,000 x 1.25). Then I would use my C$1,250,000 to buy €812,500 (€ = C$1,250,000 x 0.65). Finally, if you use your €812,500 you can purchase $1,300,000 ($ = €812,500 x 1.6).

We started with $1,000,000 and ended up with $1,300,000 by purchasing Canadian dollars first and then Euros.