The spelling of "pure arbitrage" is based on the phonetic pronunciation of the word. "Pure" is pronounced as /pjʊər/ and refers to an investment strategy that involves simultaneously buying and selling similar assets in different markets to profit off their price difference. "Arbitrage" is pronounced as /ˈɑr.bɪˌtrɑdʒ/ and refers to the practice of exploiting price differences in financial markets. Together, "pure arbitrage" refers to a type of investment that aims to generate risk-free profit by exploiting market inefficiencies.
Pure arbitrage is an investment strategy that involves simultaneously buying and selling the same financial instrument (such as stocks, bonds, currencies, or commodities) in different markets to take advantage of price discrepancies among them. The goal of pure arbitrage is to generate risk-free profits by exploiting temporary market inefficiencies.
In pure arbitrage, the investor takes advantage of pricing differences in various markets by buying the asset at a lower price in one market and selling it at a higher price in another. This strategy exploits the principle that assets should have the same price across different markets, assuming there are no transaction costs or barriers to trade.
To successfully execute pure arbitrage, the investor must act quickly and have access to real-time market data. They engage in a series of rapid transactions, capitalizing on the small price discrepancies that may exist only for a short period. The intent is to eliminate any market risks and earn risk-free profits, as the gains from the higher-priced sale offset the costs of the lower-priced purchase.
Pure arbitrage is often associated with high-frequency trading and advanced technology that allows traders to capture price differences as they occur. However, regulatory frameworks aim to reduce the opportunities for pure arbitrage by promoting fair and efficient markets.
While pure arbitrage is considered a risk-free strategy in theory, in practice, it may face limitations due to transaction costs, time lags, or market regulations. Nonetheless, it remains an essential concept in finance and plays a role in ensuring market efficiency and price convergence across different trading venues.
The word "pure" comes from the Latin word "pūrus", which means "clean" or "unadulterated". It eventually entered Old French as "pur" and Middle English as "pure", retaining similar meanings.
The word "arbitrage" has its origins in the French term "arbitrage", which derived from the Latin word "arbitrium" meaning "judgment" or "decision". In finance, arbitrage refers to the practice of exploiting discrepancies in prices between different markets or securities to make risk-free profits.
The term "pure arbitrage" is a combination of these two words, where "pure" emphasizes the absence of risk or uncertainty in the arbitrage strategy. It denotes a situation where a trader can make a profit by simultaneously buying and selling the same asset or security in different markets, taking advantage of price inefficiencies.