What is Zero Basis Risk Swap ?

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A zero basis risk swap (ZEBRA) is an interest rate swap agreement between a municipality and a financial intermediary. A swap is an agreement with two counterparties, where one party pays the other party a fixed interest rate and receives a floating rate.This particular swap is considered zero-risk because the municipality receives a floating rate that is equal to the floating rate on its debt obligations, meaning that there is no basis risk with the trade. The ZEBRA is also known as a "perfect swap" or "actual rate swap."

Definition

A Zero Basis Risk Swap (ZEBRA) is an interest rate swap agreement between a municipal entity and a financial intermediary. In this swap, one party pays a fixed interest rate while the other pays a floating rate. It is considered zero risk because the municipal entity receives a floating rate equal to its debt obligations, eliminating basis risk. This swap is also known as a 'perfect swap' or 'actual rate swap'.

Origin

The Zero Basis Risk Swap originated from the need for municipal debt management, aiming to help municipal entities better manage interest rate risk. As the municipal debt market evolved, this tool was introduced to provide more stable financial planning.

Categories and Features

Zero Basis Risk Swaps are mainly categorized into fixed-to-floating and floating-to-floating swaps. In a fixed-to-floating swap, the municipal entity pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate. In a floating-to-floating swap, both parties exchange different floating rates. The main feature is the elimination of basis risk, providing interest rate stability.

Case Studies

Case 1: A municipal entity enters into a zero basis risk swap with a bank, paying a 3% fixed rate and receiving a floating rate matching its debt. This helps the entity lock in interest costs and avoid market volatility risks. Case 2: Another municipal entity uses a zero basis risk swap to convert its floating rate debt to a fixed rate, ensuring predictability in future budgeting.

Common Issues

Investors might misunderstand the 'zero risk' aspect of zero basis risk swaps, assuming there is no risk at all. In reality, it only eliminates basis risk; other risks like credit risk still exist. Additionally, changes in market conditions can affect the swap's effectiveness.

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A liquidity trap is an adverse economic situation that can occur when consumers and investors hoard cash rather than spending or investing it even when interest rates are low, stymying efforts by economic policymakers to stimulate economic growth.The term was first used by economist John Maynard Keynes, who defined a liquidity trap as a condition that can occur when interest rates fall so low that most people prefer to let cash sit rather than put money into bonds and other debt instruments. The effect, Keynes said, is to leave monetary policymakers powerless to stimulate growth by increasing the money supply or lowering the interest rate further.A liquidity trap may develop when consumers and investors keep their cash in checking and savings accounts because they believe interest rates will soon rise. That would make bond prices fall, and make them a less attractive option.Since Keynes' day, the term has been used more broadly to describe a condition of slow economic growth caused by widespread cash hoarding due to concern about a negative event that may be coming.

Liquidity Trap

A liquidity trap is an adverse economic situation that can occur when consumers and investors hoard cash rather than spending or investing it even when interest rates are low, stymying efforts by economic policymakers to stimulate economic growth.The term was first used by economist John Maynard Keynes, who defined a liquidity trap as a condition that can occur when interest rates fall so low that most people prefer to let cash sit rather than put money into bonds and other debt instruments. The effect, Keynes said, is to leave monetary policymakers powerless to stimulate growth by increasing the money supply or lowering the interest rate further.A liquidity trap may develop when consumers and investors keep their cash in checking and savings accounts because they believe interest rates will soon rise. That would make bond prices fall, and make them a less attractive option.Since Keynes' day, the term has been used more broadly to describe a condition of slow economic growth caused by widespread cash hoarding due to concern about a negative event that may be coming.

Liquidity Crisis

A liquidity crisis is a financial situation characterized by a lack of cash or easily-convertible-to-cash assets on hand across many businesses or financial institutions simultaneously.In a liquidity crisis, liquidity problems at individual institutions lead to an acute increase in demand and decrease in supply of liquidity, and the resulting lack of available liquidity can lead to widespread defaults and even bankruptcies.

Liquidity Crisis

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Liquidity Event

A liquidity event is an acquisition, merger, initial public offering (IPO), or other action that allows founders and early investors in a company to cash out some or all of their ownership shares.A liquidity event is considered an exit strategy for an illiquid investment or equity with little or no market to trade on. Founders of a firm push toward a liquidity event, and investors like venture capital (VC) firms, angel investors, or private equity firms expect one within a reasonable amount of time after initially investing capital.

Liquid Alternatives

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Liquid Alternatives

Liquid alternative investments (or liquid alts) are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that aim to provide investors with diversification and downside protection through exposure to alternative investment strategies. These products' selling point is that they are liquid, meaning that they can be bought and sold daily, unlike traditional alternatives which offer monthly or quarterly liquidity. They come with lower minimum investments than the typical hedge fund, and investors don't have to pass net-worth or income requirements to invest. Critics argue that the liquidity of so-called liquid alts will not hold up in more trying market conditions; most of the capital invested in liquid alts has entered the market during the post-financial crisis bull market. Critics also contend that the fees for liquid alternatives are too high. For proponents, though, liquid alts are a valuable innovation because they make the strategies employed by hedge funds accessible to retail investors.

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Zero-Coupon Convertible

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Zero-Investment Portfolio

A zero-investment portfolio is a collection of investments that has a net value of zero when the portfolio is assembled, and therefore requires an investor to take no equity stake in the portfolio. For instance, an investor may short sell $1,000 worth of stocks in one set of companies, and use the proceeds to purchase $1,000 in stock in another set of companies.