Table of Contents
Is currency swap a contract?
A currency swap is an agreement in which two parties exchange the principal amount of a loan and the interest in one currency for the principal and interest in another currency. At the inception of the swap, the equivalent principal amounts are exchanged at the spot rate.
How do currency swap agreements work?
A currency swap is a transaction in which two parties exchange an equivalent amount of money with each other but in different currencies. The parties are essentially loaning each other money and will repay the amounts at a specified date and exchange rate.
What are the two types of swaps contract?
The most popular types of swaps are plain vanilla interest rate swaps. They allow two parties to exchange fixed and floating cash flows on an interest-bearing investment or loan. Businesses or individuals attempt to secure cost-effective loans but their selected markets may not offer preferred loan solutions.
What is a currency futures contract?
Currency futures are futures contracts for currencies that specify the price of exchanging one currency for another at a future date. The rate for currency futures contracts is derived from spot rates of the currency pair. Currency futures are used to hedge the risk of receiving payments in a foreign currency.
What are the benefits of currency swaps?
Swapping allows companies to revise their debt conditions to take advantage of current or expected future market conditions. Currency and interest rate swaps are used as financial tools to lower the amount needed to service a debt as a result of these advantages.
Why do countries do currency swaps?
Currency swaps are primarily used to hedge potential risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates or to obtain lower interest rates on loans in a foreign currency. The swaps are commonly used by companies that operate in different countries.
What are the difference between currency futures and forward contracts?
A forward contract is a private and customizable agreement that settles at the end of the agreement and is traded over the counter. A futures contract has standardized terms and is traded on an exchange, where prices are settled on a daily basis until the end of the contract.
How are currency contract are settled?
The mark to market losses or profits are directly debited or credited to the CMs clearing bank account. On the expiry of the futures contracts, NSE Clearing marks all positions of a CM to the final settlement price and the resulting profit / loss is settled in cash.
Why do firms use currency swaps?
Companies doing business abroad often use currency swaps to get more favorable loan rates in the local currency than they could if they borrowed money from a bank in that country. Currency swaps are important financial instruments used by banks, investors, and multinational corporations.
What is the benefit of currency swap agreement?
Currency swaps have emerged as an important derivative tool after the global financial crisis of 2008 to hedge the exchange rate risks. Swap agreements in US dollar, the concept paper said, provide confidence to the market and prevent excess volatility in financial and foreign exchange markets.
Why futures contract is better than forward?
The credit risk in a forward contract is relatively higher that in a futures contract. Forward contracts can be used for both hedging and speculation, but as the contract is tailor made, it is best for hedging. Conversely, futures contracts are appropriate for speculation.