Derivatives Markets

Interest rate derivatives markets have enjoyed substantial growth since the late 1990s. This chapter discusses the development of these markets since 2000 and introduces the most popular interest rate derivative instruments. Although forward rate agreements and interest rate swaps are important examples of over-the-counter (OTC) products, futures on interest rates and bonds are innovations of organized exchanges. Both OTC interest rate options and exchange-traded options on interest rate futures are discussed to illustrate an overlapping area of both types of derivatives markets. Participants in debt markets are also exposed to both interest rate and credit risk. To mitigate the latter risk, the OTC fixed income derivatives markets provide credit default swaps (CDSs). As credit derivatives are also a subset of fixed income derivatives, CDSs are discussed further.

Valuing and Analyzing Fixed Income Derivatives

Derivatives valuation is based on the key principle of no-arbitrage pricing. This chapter presents valuation models for various types of fixed income derivatives, including forward rate agreements (FRAs), interest rate swaps, Eurodollar and Treasury bond futures, bond options, caps and floors, swaptions, and options on interest rate futures. Following the financial crisis that began in the summer of 2007, major changes occurred in the practice of fixed income derivatives valuation, particularly regarding the adoption of overnight indexed swaps (OIS) as a source of the risk-free rate. This chapter shows how OIS discounting is implemented in FRA pricing and swap valuation. Traditional approaches such as cost of carry valuation in futures pricing are illustrated. With respect to option valuation, this chapter explains the risk-neutral pricing approach as well as closed-form solutions such as the Black model. The chapter also provides numeric examples to illustrate the practical use of the presented models and formulas.