The S&P 500 Index is currently at 2,000. You manage a $19 million indexed equity portfolio. The S&P 500 futures contract has a multiplier of $50.

Required:

a. If you are temporarily bearish on the stock market, how many contracts should you sell to fully eliminate your exposure over the next six months?

b. If T-bills pay 4.0% per six months and the semiannual dividend yield is 1.8%, what is the parity value of the futures price? (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to 2 decimal places.)