Currently, the spot exchange rate is $1.50/ and the three-month forward exchange rate is $1.49/. The three-month interest rate is 4.0% per annum in the U.S. and 2% per annum in the U.K. Assume that you can borrow as much as $1,500,000 (in the US) or 1,000,000 (in the U.K.).

a. Determine whether the interest rate parity (IRP) 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. [Hint: Step 1: borrow money. You first need to determine whether US investor or UK investor can capitalize]

c. Explain how the IRP will be restored as a result of covered arbitrage activities. [i.e. what changes might happen?]