Swaption
A swaption is a type of financial derivative that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an interest rate swap at a predetermined rate and on a predetermined date. It is essentially an option on an interest rate swap.
A swaption has two parties: the buyer and the seller. The buyer of a swaption pays a premium to the seller for the right to enter into an interest rate swap on a future date. The buyer has the option to either enter into the swap or let the option expire. The seller of a swaption receives the premium from the buyer and must enter into an interest rate swap if the buyer decides to exercise the option.
Swaptions come in two varieties: a payer swaption and a receiver swaption. A payer swaption gives the holder the right to enter into an interest rate swap where they pay a fixed interest rate and receive a floating interest rate. A receiver swaption gives the holder the right to enter into an interest rate swap where they receive a fixed interest rate and pay a floating interest rate.
Swaptions are used by market participants to manage their interest rate risk. For example, if a company expects that interest rates will rise in the future, they may buy a payer swaption to protect themselves from the risk of paying a higher floating interest rate in the future. Conversely, if a company expects that interest rates will fall in the future, they may buy a receiver swaption to protect themselves from the risk of receiving a lower floating interest rate in the future.
Overall, swaptions are a useful tool for managing interest rate risk, providing market participants with the flexibility to enter into interest rate swaps at a predetermined rate and on a predetermined date, while also allowing them to avoid entering into such contracts if market conditions change.