The common shares of networking giant Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) recently traded on NASDAQ for $22.64 per share. You have employee stock options to purchase 1,000 CSCO shares for $22 per share. The options expire in three years. The annualized volatility of CSCO stock according to Roberts Historical Stock Volatilities (www.intrepid.com/robertl/stock-vols1.html) in a recent month was 31.41 percent. The companys dividend yield is 3.0 percent, and the interest rate is 2.5 percent. (Assume the options are European options that may only be exercised at the maturity date.)

a. Is this option a call or a put?

b. Using Roberts Option Price (www.intrepid.com/robertl/ option-pricer1.html) or any other calculator you prefer, estimate the value of your CSCO options.

c. What is the estimated value of the options if their maturity is five months instead of three years? Why does the value of the options decline as the maturity declines?

d. What is the estimated value of the options if their maturity is three years, but CSCOs volatility is 45 percent? Why does the value of the options increase as volatility increases?