Tim Bennett explains how an interest rate swap works - and the implications for investors.
Entry from MoneyWeek's Financial glossary.
Swaps
The way a borrower can most easily raise money isn't always best suited to their needs. Imagine two firms need to raise money. Company A might easily be able to raise fixed-interest money, but what it really needs are floating rate funds. The reverse is true for Company B. The solution for them would be an interest rate swap. Company A issues its fixed-interest bond and Company B issues a floating-rate loan.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
They then agree to swap their interest payment liabilities, and so pay one another's interest and end up getting the money in the form they need it at a cheaper rate than if they had borrowed it direct. In practice, rather than finding a direct counterparty for the swap, companies will arrange it with a bank that will either find the counterparty for them or act as counterparty itself. Currency swaps are where Company A wants dollars but can get better trading terms in euros, while the reverse is true for Company B, so they swap so that each ends up with what it needs. With many swaps, both interest payments and currencies are exchanged.
-
Cash hoarders take total UK savings to £2 trillion – why aren’t we investing?Investment-shy Brits are hoarding huge amounts of cash in their savings accounts. We look at the case for saving versus investing.
-
The MoneyWeek Christmas Charity Appeal: who are we supporting and how to donateThis year MoneyWeek is supporting YoungMinds, tackling mental health for children and young people. Here’s why we are partnering with YoungMinds and how you can help.
