Interest Rate Currency Swaps

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics - Banking, Stock Exchanges, Insurance, Accounting, grade: 1,0, Reutlingen University (sib - school of international business Reutlingen), course: International Financing, language: English, abstract: Risk management within companies is getting more and more important. The reasons for this development are varied. The most important factor is doubtless the internationalisation of companies. Acting on international markets offers on the one hand numerous chances for an enterprise but on the other hand it also holds an additional risk potential concerning losses. This negative aspect is mainly caused by a lack of information regarding political risk and exchange rate risk. Risk management is also necessary referring to change in interest rates. It is possible to limit, control and organize the interest rate risk as well as other risks of the company. As the financial outcome of a company gains importance risk management concerning interest rates and exchange rates is thus essential. To face these risks and other problems that derive of variations in stock markets, interest markets or exchange markets derivative instruments play a significant role. In April 2003 the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) published a survey of derivatives usage by the world’s 500 largest companies. According to this study 85% of the companies use derivatives to help manage interest rate risk and 78% of them use derivatives to help manage currency risk. Only 8% of the 500 largest companies do not use derivatives. There are many different kinds of financial instruments which are very complex in their function. This paper has its focus on interest rate and currency swaps. By using these instruments it is possible to hedge interest rate risks or currency risks. The first chapter gives an overview about existing derivatives and about the structure and function of swaps. Moreover the different kinds of traders with emphasis on hedging will be described. Afterwards the impact of interest risks on companies as well as OTC instruments that are used for hedging are explained. Subsequently the definition of an interest rate swap follows plus the application of this instrument with regard to hedging. In chapter five the currency risk management and types of exchange rate risks are illustrated. After that it will be explained how to hedge these exchange rate risks. The paper then gives a description of currency swaps and their application. Reasons for swaps in general as well as possible risks will also be pointed out. [...]

The Currency Risk Management series offers readers, researchers, and financial professional a time-tested training tool for understanding and working in the increasingly complex currency markets. This series breaks new ground in simplicity, clarity, and ease of application in risk management practice.

This book analyzes and integrates the latest developments in this rapidly changing fields. Chapters by financial officers at major corporations such as Rolls Royce, PepsiCo, United Technology and Siemens Electronics further enhance the value of this truly unique book. Topics include: New products, such as indexed and cross-rate swaps; Managing swap credit risk; Liability hedging using swaps; Risk management at major corporations; Financial risk management for developing countries.

This broad overview of swaps brings you the experience of prominent international authorities who explain how to effectively manage interest rate risk.

Interest Rate and Currency Swaps: A Tutorial is a thorough discussion of two useful and widely used forms of derivatives-interest rate and currency swaps. The authors provide step-by-step instructions and real-life examples of how to use the swaps. Exercises (and solutions) after each chapter permit readers to learn by doing, and the book contains a comprehensive bibliography.

"The swap market has revolutionized the world of finance. No other instrument provides such flexibility in managing the risk of assets and liabilities. Indeed, swaps simply have no equal as financing and risk-management tools." "The growth of the swap market has been phenomenal. After coming into being less than 20 years ago, the notional value of the swap market has expanded to around $3 trillion. Among financial professionals, the influence of the swap market is second only to the Treasury yield curve in importance." "Interest Rate and Currency Swaps explains how swaps work and how they can be applied to a variety of situations. In clear, straightforward language this book describes the structure of swaps from simple to complex, risk and price analysis of swap transactions and hedging principles." "Many corporations use interest rate swaps to borrow at lower costs than they could through more traditional financing means. Similarly, with the globalization of business, currency swaps are frequently used to hedge foreign exchange risk. Indeed, for most large companies and financial institutions, swap transactions have become routine." "As the swap market has grown, so has the complexity of swap instruments. Authors Ravi Dattatreya, Raj Venkatesh and Vijaya Venkatesh describe in detail a variety of swap structures including: off-market swaps, zero coupon swaps, swaps-in-arrears, basis swaps and forward swaps." "In addition, the authors devote considerable attention to asset/liability management through swaps. They describe basic hedging techniques, as well as unveiling a new method for managing yield curve risk. For any financial institution or corporation grappling with interest rate risk, this section alone is well worth the book's price." "Other topics addressed include measuring interest rate risk, multi-currency hedging, arbitrage and speculation, scenario analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation." "Without question, swaps are the single most important finance development in recent years. Interest Rate and Currency Swaps is the definitive source to understand and apply these powerful instruments."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

An up-to-date look at the evolution of interest rate swaps and derivatives Interest Rate Swaps and Derivatives bridges the gap between the theory of these instruments and their actual use in day-to-day life. This comprehensive guide covers the main "rates" products, including swaps, options (cap/floors, swaptions), CMS products, and Bermudan callables. It also covers the main valuation techniques for the exotics/structured-notes area, which remains one of the most challenging parts of the market. Provides a balance of relevant theory and real-world trading instruments for rate swaps and swap derivatives Uses simple settings and illustrations to reveal key results Written by an experienced trader who has worked with swaps, options, and exotics With this book, author Amir Sadr shares his valuable insights with practitioners in the field of interest rate derivatives-from traders and marketers to those in operations.