What are Swaps in Finance?

Example

Let us understand it with the help of an example.

EDU Inc. enters into a financial contract with CBA Inc. in which they have agreed to exchange cash flows making LIBOR as its benchmark wherein EDU Inc. will pay a fixed rate of 5% and receive a floating rate of LIBORLIBORLIBOR Rate (London Interbank Offer) is an estimated rate calculated by averaging out the current interest rate charged by prominent central banks in London as a benchmark rate for financial markets domestically and internationally, where it varies on a day-to-day basis inclined to specific market conditions.read more+2% from CBA Inc.

Now, we see that both parties have two legs to the transaction in this financial contract.

  • EDU Inc. is paying the fixed rate of 5% and receiving a floating rate (Annual LIBOR+2%), whereas CBA Inc. is producing a floating rate (Annual LIBOR+2%) and receiving a fixed percentage (5%).

In order to understand this, let’s look into the numerical now.

In the above example, let’s assume that both parties have entered into a swaps contract for one year with a notional principal of Rs.1,00,000/-(since this is an Interest rate swap, the principal will not be exchanged). And after one year, the one-year LIBOR in the prevailing market is 2.75%.

We will analyze the cash flows for two scenarios:

  • When the one year LIBOR is 2.75%,When the one year LIBOR increased by 50 bps to 3.25%

Scenario 1 (When one year LIBOR is 2.75%)

Scenario 2 (When one year LIBOR is 3.25%)

Looking at the above exchange of cash flows, an obvious question comes to our mind: why do financial institutions enter into swap agreements. It is seen in scenario one that a fixed-paying party benefited from the swaps. However, when the one-year LIBOR increased by 50 bps to 5.25%, it was in loss from the same swap agreement.

The answer to this is a comparative rate advantage to both parties.

Comparative Rate Advantage

The comparative rate advantage suggests that when one of the two borrowers has a comparative advantage in either the fixed or floating rate market, the better their liability by entering into swaps. It reduces the cost for both parties. However, a comparative advantage argument assumes that no credit riskCredit RiskCredit risk is the probability of a loss owing to the borrower’s failure to repay the loan or meet debt obligations. It refers to the possibility that the lender may not receive the debt’s principal and an interest component, resulting in interrupted cash flow and increased cost of collection.read more is involved, and funds can be borrowed during the Swap’s life.

To understand the comparative rate advantage, let’s assume that EDU Inc. and CBA Inc. have borrowing capacities in both a fixed and a floating market (as mentioned in the table below).

The above table shows that EDU Inc. has an absolute advantage in both markets, whereas CBA Inc. has a comparative advantage in the floating rate market (as CBA Inc. is paying 0.5% more than EDU Inc.). Assuming both parties have entered into a Swap agreement with the condition that EDU Inc. will pay one year LIBOR and receive 4.35% p.a.

The cash flows for this agreement are described in the table below for both parties.

Looking at the above cash flows, we can say that EDU Inc. has a net cash flowNet Cash FlowNet cash flow refers to the difference in cash inflows and outflows, generated or lost over the period, from all business activities combined. In simple terms, it is the net impact of the organization’s cash inflow and cash outflow for a particular period, say monthly, quarterly, annually, as may be required.read more of LIBOR – 0.35% per annum, giving it an advantage of 0.25%, which EDU Inc. had to pay if it went directly into the floating market, i.e., LIBOR – 0.1%.

In the second scenario for CBA Inc., the net cash flow is 4.95% per annum, giving it an advantage of 0.25% in the fixed borrowing market if it had gone directly, i.e., 5.20%.

Types of Swaps in Finance

There are several types of Swaps transacted in the financial world. They are commodity, currency, volatility, debt, credit default, puttable, swaptions, Interest rate swap, equity swapEquity SwapEquity Swaps is defined as a derivative contract between two parties that involve the exchange of future cash flows. There are two basis of determining cash-flows, cash stream and equity stream.read more, etc.

We will look at Currency swapsCurrency SwapsCurrency Swap is an agreement between the two parties for exchanging notional amount in one currency with that of another currency. It’s interest rate can be fixed or floating rates denominated in two currencies. read more in detail later in this article.

Valuation of Swaps in Finance

As we know, a Swap is nothing but a series or a combination of bonds for both counterparties, so its valuation is also easy.

For example, suppose that two counterparties, A and B, enter into a Swaps agreement wherein A pays fixed and receives a float (refer to image: 2 below). In this arrangement, if we see, there is a package of two bonds for A.

  • A is short on fixed coupon paying bond andLong on floating coupon paying a bond.

At any given point in time, the value of the Swap for a fixed ratepayer is the difference between the present value of the remaining floating-rate payment and the present value of the remaining fixed-rate payment (Bfloat – Bfixed). Whereas for a fixed-rate receiver, the value of the Swap is the difference between the present value of the remaining fixed-rate payment and the present value of the remaining floating-rate payment (Bfixed – Bfloat). We can calculate the value of a Swap for either party and then find out for another easily as a swap is a derivative contract. We know that a derivative is a zero-sum gameZero-sum GameA zero-sum game refers to a competitive situation wherein the profit of one equals the loss of another and vice-versa, thereby nullifying the net change in wealth for participants involved. The number of participants can be anything but one. It is a type of game theory and often applies in economic and political situations. read more wherein profit for one party is equal to the loss of another. Hence, the formula for the value of the swap agreement can be summarized below:

  • Value of a Swap agreement (for a Floating ratepayer) = PV of remaining fixed-rate payment (Bfixed) – Value of remaining floating-rate payment (Bfloat) or Bfixed – BValue of a Swap agreement (for a Fixed ratepayer) = PV of remaining float rate payment (Bfloat) – Value of remaining fixed-rate payment (Bfixed) or Bfloat – B

Here, one point is to be noted that at the date of settlement, the value of the floating coupon bondCoupon BondCoupon bonds pay fixed interest at a predetermined frequency from the bond’s issue date to the bond’s maturity or transfer date. The holder of a coupon bond receives a periodic payment of the stipulated fixed interest rate.read more is always equal to the notional principal as at the date of settlement coupon rateCoupon RateThe coupon rate is the ROI (rate of interest) paid on the bond’s face value by the bond’s issuers. It determines the repayment amount made by GIS (guaranteed income security). Coupon Rate = Annualized Interest Payment / Par Value of Bond * 100%read more is equal to YTM, or the bond is par bond.

Suppose A & B enters into a Swap Agreement for two years wherein A pays fixed (here A is short on a fixed coupon paying bond) at the rate of 4% and receives LIBOR from B. One year has already crossed, and both parties want to terminate the agreement immediately.

A notional principal is Rs.1,00,000/- and two years LIBOR is 4.5%.

Scenario -1 (if party A pays fixed)

Here, since the swap agreement was supposed to end after two years, it is being terminated by the counterparties only after one year. Hence, we must value the Swap at the end of one year.

As per the above formula, a value of Swap = Bfloat – B fixed, Where,

Afloat = PV of all remaining float rate payment and,Bfixed = PV of remaining fixed-rate payment.

Calculations:

Bfloat= since we are valuing the Swap at the settlement date, the PV of floating-rate payment would be the notional principal, i.e., Rs.100000/-. Also, it is assumed that coupon payment has been made to a long party on the date of settlement.Hence, Bfloat = Rs.100000/-

B fixed = The total fixed payment to be made by A for the second year is principal of Rs.100000/- and interest of Rs.4000/- (100000*0.04). This amount needs to be discounted with two years LIBOR, i.e., 4.5%.

(P+C)e-rt = (100000+4000)e-0.0451

= 99423.74

Hence, Bfixed = 99423.74

Value of Swaps = Rs.100000 – Rs.99423.74

= Rs.576.26

Scenario -2 (if party A pays float)

As per the above formula, the value of Swap = Bfixed – Bfloat,

Bfloat= Here also, the PV of floating-rate payment would be the notional principal, i.e., Rs.100000/- as we are valuing the Swap at the settlement date.

Hence, Bfloat = Rs.100000/-.

B fixed = The total fixed payment to be made by B for the second year is principal of Rs.100000/- and interest of Rs.4000/- (100000*0.04). We will discount this amount with two years LIBOR, i.e., 4.5%.

Value of Swaps = Rs.99423.74 – Rs.100000

= – Rs.576.26

In the above-explained scenarios, we have seen Swaps’ valuation on the settlement date. But what if the contract is not terminated on the date of settlement?

Valuation of Swaps – Before the date of settlement

Let’s see how valuation is done if the contract is not terminated on the settlement date.

As explained above, the valuation for fixed leg payment shall remain the same. But the valuation for the floating leg is slightly changed. Here, since we are not standing on the settlement date, the floating-rate payment discounting shall be a Notional Principal + Floating rate payment for the remaining period.

Let’s look at the example.

Suppose A & B enters into a Swap Agreement for two years wherein A pays fixed (here A is short on a fixed coupon paying bond) at the rate of 4% and receives LIBOR from B. After one and a half years, both parties want to terminate the agreement immediately.

Value of Swaps = Bfloat – Bfixed, Where,

Bfloat = PV of all remaining float rate payment and,Bfixed = PV of remaining fixed-rate payment.

Bfloat= since valuation is happening six months before the settlement, the PV of floating-rate payment would be the notional principal, i.e., Rs.100000/- plus the floating rate coupon payment, which is due in the next six months. The same can be found using two years of LIBOR curveLIBOR CurveLIBOR curve represents graphically, the values of the LIBOR rate at various maturity intervals such as one-month rate, two-month rate, etc. and it is used by various banks and other financial institutions for determining the interest rate for debt-based products and other financial products.read more.

(P+C)e-rt = (100000 + 4500)* e-0.045*0.5

= 102175.00

Hence, Bfloat = Rs.102175.00

B fixed = Total fixed payment to be made by A for the second year is principal of Rs.100000/- and interest of Rs.4000/- (100000*0.04). This amount needs to be discounted with two years LIBOR, i.e., 4.5% for six months, as six months are left to expire the contract.

(P+C)e-rt = (100000+4000)e-0.0450.5

= 101686.12

Hence, Bfixed = 101686.12

Value of Swaps = Rs.102175 – Rs.101686.12

= Rs.488.88

What are Currency Swaps in Finance?

Like an Interest rate swapInterest Rate SwapAn interest rate swap is a deal between two parties on interest payments. The most common interest rate swap arrangement is when Party A agrees to make payments to Party B on a fixed interest rate, and Party B pays Party A on a floating interest rate.read more (as explained above), Currency Swaps (also known as Cross Currency Swaps) are derivative contracts to exchange certain cash flows at a predetermined time. The basic difference here is that under currency swaps, the principal is exchanged (not obligatory) at the inception and maturity of the contract, and cash flows are in different currencies, generating a larger credit exposure.

Another difference between these types of swaps is that in Interest Rate swaps, cash flowsCash FlowsCash Flow is the amount of cash or cash equivalent generated & consumed by a Company over a given period. It proves to be a prerequisite for analyzing the business’s strength, profitability, & scope for betterment. read more are netted at the time of settlement, whereas, in the currency swap, the same is not netted but exchanged between parties.

Mechanics of currency swaps

Suppose two companies EDU Inc. (based in the US) and CBA Inc. (based in India), entered into currency swaps, wherein EDU Inc. pays 5% in INR and receives 4% in USD (and CBA Inc. pays 4% in USD and receives 5% in INR) every year for the next two years (refer Image: 3). At the beginning of the contract, both the parties exchanged a certain amount of principal (EDU Inc. exchanged USD 80000, and CBA Inc. exchanged INR 100000). The current spot rateSpot RateSpot Rate’ is the cash rate at which an immediate transaction and/or settlement takes place between the buyer and seller parties. This rate can be considered for any and all types of products prevalent in the market ranging from consumer products to real estate to capital markets. It gives the immediate value of the product being transacted.read more is INR 65/USD.

Here, at each settlement dateSettlement DateThe settlement date is the date on which the cash and assets that have been exchanged or traded are settled by netting out a process that happened a few days ago. Commonly for shares, it is two business days after the trade.read more, EDU Inc. shall pay INR 5000 (1000000.05) to CBA Inc. and receive USD 3200 (800000.04) from CBA Inc. Further, at the end of the contract, both the parties shall exchange the principal amount, i.e., EDU Inc. shall pay INR 100000, and CBA Inc. shall pay USD 80000.

You are free to use this image on you website, templates, etc., Please provide us with an attribution linkHow to Provide Attribution?Article Link to be HyperlinkedFor eg:Source: Swaps in Finance (wallstreetmojo.com)

Valuation of Currency Swaps in Finance

Currency swaps are valued similarly to interest rate swaps, using DCFDCFDiscounted cash flow analysis is a method of analyzing the present value of a company, investment, or cash flow by adjusting future cash flows to the time value of money. This analysis assesses the present fair value of assets, projects, or companies by taking into account many factors such as inflation, risk, and cost of capital, as well as analyzing the company’s future performance.read more (bond method). Hence,

Value of Currency Swaps (long on one bond) = Blong on a currency – So*Bshort on currency,

Value of Currency Swaps (short on one bond) = Bshort on a currency – So*Blong on currency, where

S0 = Spot rate of the currency

Let’s understand this through a numerical.

Considering the above example, assume that the interest rate in India is 6%, and in the USA, it is 4%. Assume that the interest rate remains constant throughout the life of the Swaps agreement in both the economy. Exchange rates for the currencies are INR 65/USD.

Before proceeding to value the swap contract, first look at the cash flows in the below table:

  • Discounting factorDiscounting FactorDiscount Factor is a weighing factor most often used to find the present value of future cash flows, i.e., to calculate the Net Present Value (NPV). It is determined by, 1 / {1 * (1 + Discount Rate) Period Number}read more has arrived through formula e-r*t

PV of Cash flows have arrived through the formula Cash Flows*Discounting Factor

As mentioned above, the valuation of currency swaps is also done through discounted cash flow. Therefore, here we will calculate the total PV of Cash flows in both currencies.

PV of INR Cash Flows = INR 53820.36

PV of USD Cash Flows = USD 28182.30

Since EDU Inc. is long on USD and short on INR, therefore,

Value of Swaps = BUSD – S0*BINR

= 28182.30 – (1/65)*53820.36

= 28182.30 – 828.01 = 27354.49

In a Nutshell

  • It is an OTC derivative contractDerivative ContractDerivative Contracts are formal contracts entered into between two parties, one Buyer and the other Seller, who act as Counterparties for each other, and involve either a physical transaction of an underlying asset in the future or a financial payment by one party to the other based on specific future events of the underlying asset. In other words, the value of a Derivative Contract is derived from the underlying asset on which the Contract is based.read more between two parties exchanging a sequence of cash flows with another at a predetermined rate for a set period.Under the Swaps agreement, one party exchanges fixed cash flows in return for floating cash flows exchanged by the other counterparty.The most common kind of swaps in finance are Interest rates and Currency Swaps.A plain vanilla interest rate swap exchanges fixed-rate payment for floating-rate payment throughout swaps.A swap contract is equivalent to a simultaneous position in two bonds.The comparative rate advantage suggests that when one of the two borrowers has a comparative advantage in either the fixed or floating rate market, the better their liability by entering into the Swap.The value of the Swap for a fixed-rate receiver is the difference between the present value of the remaining fixed-rate payment and the present value of the remaining floating-rate payment. For a floating rate, the receiver is the difference between the present value of the remaining floating-rate payment and the present value of the remaining fixed-rate payment.Currency swaps exchanges cash flows in different currencies along with the principal amount at inception and maturity, though not obligatory.

This has been a guide to swaps in finance and their definition. Here we discuss examples, different types of swaps, valuation, and mechanics. You may also have a look at the following articles –

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