An ESPP, or Employee Stock Purchase Plan, is a benefit some public companies offer to their employees. It allows employees to purchase company stock at a discounted price.
For example, if your company stock is trading at $100, and the plan discount is 15%, you will receive stocks at $85.If your company has an ESPP, you can buy stock and potentially sell it for a 15% guaranteed profit immediately.
If the company stock is trading at $100 on Jan 1stand trading at $110 on Jun 30th, you will receive the stock at $85 on Jul 1st.As a result of the favorable lookback period, your profit is $110-$85 = $25 per stock, which is more than 15%.