
Explanation:
510.3. D. 5.0
After the trade, assets = $150 (currency forward) + $50 (long option) + $200 (short CDS) + $50 cash + $50 margin due from broker = $500;
After the trade, debt = $400 (i.e., corresponding to derivative positions) such that equity = $100 (i.e., unchanged by new positions), and
Leverage = 500/100 = 5.0
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510.3. On opening day, Lever Brothers Fund LP has a simple economic balance sheet: $100 in Cash, and Equity of $100. This corresponds to an initial placement of $100 in equity by investors, and no debt. Suppose Lever Brothers now adds three derivatives positions:
$150 against the euro$100$200Assume that the non-option positions are initiated at market-adjusted prices and spreads, and therefore have zero NPV. Also assume that the counterparty is the same for all the positions, namely the prime broker or broker-dealer with which they are executed. If the initial margin on this derivatives portfolio (i.e., all three derivative positions) is $50, what is the leverage of the firm’s balance sheet after the trades?
A
2.5
B
3.5
C
4.0
D
5.0