swaps and otc derivatives

Educational articles in this subcategory.

Valuation Adjustments: CVA, DVA, FVA

# Valuation Adjustments: CVA, DVA, FVA Valuation adjustments (XVAs) modify derivative fair values to reflect counterparty credit risk and funding...

advanced2026-01-01

Total Return Swaps for Equity Exposure

# Total Return Swaps for Equity Exposure A total return swap (TRS) transfers the total economic performance of a reference asset—including price ...

advanced2026-01-01

Terminating or Novating Swap Positions

# Terminating or Novating Swap Positions Swap positions can be closed through termination (mutual agreement to end the trade) or novation (transf...

advanced2026-01-01

Swap Execution Facilities (SEFs)

# Swap Execution Facilities (SEFs) Swap Execution Facilities (SEFs) are CFTC-regulated trading platforms for over-the-counter derivatives. Create...

advanced2026-01-01

Setting Up Hedge Documentation

# Setting Up Hedge Documentation Proper hedge documentation ensures legal enforceability, enables hedge accounting, and establishes operational c...

intermediate2026-01-01

Plain-Vanilla Interest Rate Swaps Mechanics

# Plain-Vanilla Interest Rate Swaps Mechanics A plain-vanilla interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange fixed-rate inter...

advanced2026-01-01

ISDA Master Agreement Overview

# ISDA Master Agreement Overview The ISDA Master Agreement is the foundational legal document for over-the-counter derivatives transactions. Publ...

intermediate2026-01-01

Initial Margin vs. Variation Margin in OTC Trades

# Initial Margin vs. Variation Margin in OTC Trades Initial margin (IM) and variation margin (VM) serve different purposes in managing counterpar...

intermediate2026-01-01

Hedging Fixed Income Portfolios with Swaps

# Hedging Fixed Income Portfolios with Swaps Interest rate swaps are the primary tool for managing duration and curve exposure in fixed income po...

advanced2026-01-01

Glossary: Swap Market Terms

# Glossary: Swap Market Terms This glossary provides concise definitions of swap market terms used throughout the Swaps and OTC Derivatives serie...

beginner2026-01-01

Equity Swap Use Cases for Hedge Funds

# Equity Swap Use Cases for Hedge Funds Equity swaps provide hedge funds with flexible, capital-efficient exposure to stocks and indices. Beyond ...

advanced2026-01-01

Dodd-Frank and EMIR Reporting Requirements

# Dodd-Frank and EMIR Reporting Requirements Dodd-Frank (US) and EMIR (EU) require comprehensive reporting of OTC derivatives to trade repositori...

intermediate2026-01-01

Cross-Currency Swaps and Basis Risk

# Cross-Currency Swaps and Basis Risk A cross-currency swap exchanges both principal and interest payments in one currency for principal and inte...

advanced2026-01-01

Credit Support Annex and Collateral Terms

# Credit Support Annex and Collateral Terms The Credit Support Annex (CSA) is an annex to the ISDA Master Agreement that governs collateral excha...

intermediate2026-01-01

Credit Default Swaps Contracts

# Credit Default Swaps Contracts A credit default swap (CDS) is a derivative contract that transfers credit risk from a protection buyer to a pro...

advanced2026-01-01

Counterparty Risk Monitoring

# Counterparty Risk Monitoring Counterparty risk monitoring tracks credit exposure to OTC derivatives counterparties, identifies deteriorating cr...

intermediate2026-01-01

Compression and Portfolio Tear-Ups

# Compression and Portfolio Tear-Ups Compression and tear-up services reduce the gross notional outstanding of OTC derivatives portfolios by term...

intermediate2026-01-01

Commodity Swaps for Producers and Consumers

# Commodity Swaps for Producers and Consumers Commodity swaps allow producers and consumers to exchange floating commodity prices for fixed price...

advanced2026-01-01

Cleared vs. Bilateral Swap Structures

# Cleared vs. Bilateral Swap Structures Cleared swaps use a central counterparty (CCP) to guarantee performance, while bilateral swaps remain dir...

advanced2026-01-01

Accounting Treatment for Hedging Swaps

# Accounting Treatment for Hedging Swaps Hedge accounting allows derivatives gains and losses to be matched with the hedged item in the income st...

advanced2026-01-01