What Does Interest Rate Futures Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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An interest rate future is a futures contract with an underlying instrument that pays interest . The contract is an agreement between the buyer and seller for the future delivery of any interest-bearing asset.

What happens to futures when interest rates go up?

The futures price decreases when there is a known interest income because the long side buying the futures does not own the asset and, thus, loses the interest benefit. Otherwise, the buyer would receive interest if they owned the asset. In the case of stock, the long side loses the opportunity to get dividends.

What is meant by interest rate futures?

An interest rate future is a futures contract with an underlying instrument that pays interest . The contract is an agreement between the buyer and seller for the future delivery of any interest-bearing asset.

What does selling interest rate futures mean?

Interest rate futures are a type of futures contract that are based on a financial instrument which pays interest. It is a contract between a buyer and a seller which agrees to buy and sell a debt instrument at a future date when the contract expires at a price that is determined today.

How are interest futures priced?

Interest Rate Futures Introduction

Eurodollar futures prices are expressed numerically using 100 minus the implied 3-month U.S. LIBOR interest rate . In this way, a Eurodollar future price of $98 reflects an implied settlement interest rate of 2%. Interest rate futures are used to hedge against interest rate risk.

Do you pay interest on futures?

There are no interest charges on futures margin because it represents a deposit held with the broker to open a contract. Investors can borrow up to 50% of the value of equities in a margin account held at a stock brokerage and will pay interest charges for the privilege of doing so.

What is short-term interest rate future?

A short-term interest rate (STIR) future is a futures contract that derives its value from the interest rate at maturation. ... This value is calculated as 100 minus the interest rate . Contracts vary, but are often defined upon an interest rate index such as 3-month sterling or US dollar LIBOR.

When interest rates are constant futures prices are most likely?

Dividends are benefits that reduce the forward price but the lack of dividends has no effect on the spot price relative to the forward price of a commodity in short supply. 16. When interest rates are constant, futures prices are most likely: A less than forward prices .

What causes the future change in rates?

Interest rate levels are a factor of the supply and demand of credit: an increase in the demand for money or credit will raise interest rates, while a decrease in the demand for credit will decrease them. ... And as the supply of credit increases, the price of borrowing (interest) decreases.

What are the factors that determine the value of future?

The Basics

The main components of options are: the current price of the underlying futures contract, strike price, expiration date and premium . Once you have grasped these main elements, you will be on your way to determining the value of an option.

What is interest rate swap with example?

Real-World Example of an Interest Rate Swap

PepsiCo could enter into an interest rate swap for the duration of the bond . Under the terms of the agreement, PepsiCo would pay the counterparty a 3.2% interest rate over the life of the bond.

Will speculators buy or sell treasury bond futures contracts if they expect interest rates to increase?

Speculators should sell Treasury bond futures contracts. If they expected interest rates to increase, this implies expectations of lower bond prices . Thus, if security prices decline so will futures prices. Speculators could then close out their positions by purchasing an identical futures contract.

What is interest rate forward contract?

Forward rate agreements (FRA) are over-the-counter contracts between parties that determine the rate of interest to be paid on an agreed-upon date in the future . In other words, an FRA is an agreement to exchange an interest rate commitment on a notional amount. ... The notional amount is not exchanged.

Are futures high risk?

Futures, in and of themselves, are not any riskier than other types of investments, such as owning equities, bonds, or currencies. ... However, the actual practice of trading futures is considered by many to be riskier than equity trading because of the leverage involved in futures trading.

How the interest rate futures could be used to hedge against the risk?

Interest rate futures help in hedging exposure due to interest rate risks. Changes in interest rates will affect value of interest- bearing assets, such as bonds, securities or loans. Interest rate futures will help in offsetting losses by holding such positions, by generating corresponding gains in futures position.

What is the purpose of hedging?

Hedging is a risk management strategy employed to offset losses in investments by taking an opposite position in a related asset . The reduction in risk provided by hedging also typically results in a reduction in potential profits.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.