The common shares of networking giant Cisco Systems, Inc.(CSCO) recently traded on NASDAQ for $22.64 per share.

Question:

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 Robert’s Historical Stock Volatilities (www.intrepid.com/robertl/stock-vols1.html ) in a recent month was 31.41 percent. The company’s yield is3.0 percent, and the interest rate is 2.5 percent. (Assume the options are European options that may only be exercised at the date.)
a. Is this option a call or a put?
b. Using Robert’s Option Pricer ( 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 is five months instead of three years? Why does the value of the options decline as the declines?
d. What is the estimated value of the options if their is three years, but CSCO’s volatility is 45 percent? Why does the value of the options increase as volatility increases?
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