Your Firm Is Faced with Paying a Variable Rate Debt

question 23

Essay

Your firm is faced with paying a variable rate debt obligation with the expectation that interest rates are likely to go up. Identify two strategies using interest rate futures and interest rate swaps that could reduce the risk to the firm.

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Definitions:

Inflation

The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and, subsequently, purchasing power is falling.

Production Sector

A segment of the economy that includes the activities involving the manufacturing and production of goods.

Consumption Sector

Part of the economy that involves the purchase of goods and services by individuals and households.

Real Interest Rate

The interest rate adjusted for inflation, reflecting the true cost of borrowing or the true yield on an investment.