Currently, the spot exchange rate is $1.50/ and the six-month forward exchange rate is $1.52/. The six-month interest rate is 8.0% per annum in the U.S. and 3% per annum in the U.K. Assume that you can borrow as much as $1,500,000 or 1,000,000.

Answer The Following:

a. Determine whether the interest rate parity is currently holding?

b. If the IRP is not holding, how would you carry out covered interest arbitrage? (Show all the steps and determine the arbitrage profit.)

c. Explain how the IRP will be restored as a result of covered arbitrage activities (What factors could change and how?)?