How Interest Rate Futures Works
Interest rate futures are contracts that come with standard terms and are traded on exchanges. This helps investors speculate on or mitigate any potential changes in interest rates. Simply put, interest rate futures are contracts that allow investors to buy or sell the notional value of a debt instrument, like a government bond, at a predetermined price on a future date.
Since these contracts are standardised, they also provide liquidity and transparency in the market, helping investors trade more efficiently. Futures trading also allows the use of leverage, thus letting investors hold larger positions than their available capital would have otherwise let them.
Types of Interest Rate Futures
Listed below are some of the different types of interest rate futures which are divided according to the underlying instrument.
Short-term interest rate futures come with an underlying instrument that has a maturity time of less than one year. Long-term investments on the other hand consist of underlying assets whose maturity is more than one year.
Cash-settled futures are settled between different markets. Any differences in the value are settled every day without the need to aggregate them at the expiration date.
When it comes to delivering futures contracts physically, no specific bond is delivered. However, physical delivery of the special requirements of certain interest-bearing security will be provided.
Additional Read: What is Trading Account: Definition, Types & Benefits
Example of Interest Rate Futures
Let us have a look at an example of interest rate futures:
When a rise in the interest rate is expected, the contract value also increases. This ends up offsetting any losses that an investor might have incurred on their other investments. This is one of the many ways the contracts mitigate an investor’s exposure to rising interest rates with potential profits also on the horizon.
How To Find The Interest Rate Futures
If investors need to derive the pricing for these futures, there is a simple formula that needs to be used:
100 is the implied interest rate.
If a futures price is 96, then it means that the implied interest rate for the security is 4 per cent, i.e. 100-96
Impact of Interest Rate Futures on New-Age Investors
Importance of Interest Rate Futures
There are several benefits that interest rate futures offer for market participants. Some of them are listed below:
Market participants can hedge against any potential interest rate changes in the market with ease.
The contracts offer investors protection from sudden movements in interest rates.
Interest Rate Futures also play an important part in helping with price discovery.
Interest rate futures also provide better access and liquidity in the futures market which are open to diverse participants.
Interest rate futures also come with the potential for profit in various environments where interest rates dominate.
Since futures trading also provides the option of investing through leverage, investors can increase their potential gains albeit with higher risks.
Significance of Interest Rate Futures
Elements of Interest Rate Futures
Many elements form interest rate futures. Here is a look at them.
Standardisation:
Interest rate futures contracts are standardised when it comes to the contract size, expiration dates, and settlement process.
Such standardisation enables easier trade practices and increases liquidity in the market.
Interest rate futures also enable participants to easily enter and exit positions.
Accessibility:
Interest rate futures can easily be accessed by individual investors, small businesses and large financial institutions.
With such accessibility comes better participation in the market adding to its inclusivity.
Hedging:
Price Transparency:
Since interest rate futures contracts are traded on exchanges, there is more transparency in pricing and execution.
Market participants have easy access to information on the current and historical prices of interest rate futures, which reduces counterparty risk.
Additional Read: Difference Between Demat and Trading Account
Conclusion
Investors must do their research and analyze all the factors that can impact interest rate futures. This could include anything from economic trends to bank policies. When used in the right manner, interest rate futures can be a true ally in helping participants generate higher returns.
Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.
This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
For All Disclaimers Click Here: https://bit.ly/3Tcsfuc