Arbitrage

Learn about Arbitrage with iMinds Money's insightful fast knowledge series. 

Arbitrage is defined as attempting to profit by exploiting price differences of identical or similar financial instruments between two or more markets.  The difference between the two market prices is the profit or spread. The term is usually used to describe transaction involving financial instruments such as stock, bonds, commodities, currencies and derivatives. A person or institution that practises arbitrage is known as an arbitrageur.

When used academically, arbitrage refers to transactions in which there is no negative cash flow at any stage, and at least one state where there is a positive cash flow. Put simply, it is the prospect of making a profit without any risk or cost for the investor. However, when the term is used in real world situations, it may refer to the expected profit, as there is always some risk and execution time involved in arbitrage transactions.  While the concept is risk free in theory, the complexity and volatility of real world markets make the process more perilous than it initially sounds.

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