Do returns on synthetic portfolios constructed from stock index futures deliver capital gains, dividends and franking credits?

Alex Frino, Grant Wearin, Joel Fabre

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

239 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Previous papers documenting the relationship between returns on stock index futures and stock indices typically ignore dividends1. This appears to leave open the issue of whether the return on a synthetic position constructed using stock index futures and a risk free asset efficiently delivers the value of dividends. This paper proves mathematically that the returns on synthetic positions using such contracts should deliver capital gains, cash dividends and the value of franking credits derived by arbitrageurs. Empirical evidence consistent with this proposition is provided, using a sample of data for the SPI 200 contract trading on the Sydney Futures Exchange. Interestingly, the evidence suggests that franking credits are priced into stock index futures contracts, despite the introduction of the 45-day rule which seemingly would appear to prevent this.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8-13
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of law and financial management
Volume3
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher version archived with the permission of the publisher Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia. This archived copy is available for individual, non-commercial use. Permission to use this version for other uses must be obtained from the publisher.

Keywords

  • synthetic portfolios
  • stock index futures
  • dividends
  • franking credits

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Do returns on synthetic portfolios constructed from stock index futures deliver capital gains, dividends and franking credits?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this