There is a perception among some commentators that only a small fraction of derivatives activity relates to hedging that benefits the ‘real economy’. This analysis challenges that assumption. Publicly available data published by the Bank for International Settlements reveals that 65% of over-the-counter interest rate derivatives market turnover involves an end user on one side and a reporting dealer on the other. These participants, comprising non- dealer financial institutions and non-financial customers, use derivatives primarily to hedge risks and reduce volatility on their balance sheets.
The remaining 35% of derivatives turnover activity relates to dealer market-making and the hedging of customer transactions – vital for market liquidity and the facilitation of client trades. Without this, end users would be unable to put on risk-reducing and cost-effective hedges, potentially leading to less hedging and more balance-sheet volatility.
Documents (1) for Dispelling Myths: End-User Activity in OTC Derivatives
Latest
ISDA AGM Studio: David Bailey
David Bailey, executive director, prudential policy, at the Bank of England, speaks with ISDA CEO Scott O’Malia about the UK’s approach to Basel 3.1, the impact of the revised US Basel III endgame on cross‑border consistency and the role of the...
ISDA AGM Studio: Harleen Bains and Sonali Das Theisen
How have trading desks responding to increased market volatility this year? Harleen Bains, ISDA board member and head of global markets sales, Canada, at RBC Capital Markets, and Sonali Das Theisen, global head of FICC e‑trading and markets strategic investments...
ISDA AGM Studio: Scott O'Malia and Chris Edmonds
Christopher Edmonds, president, fixed income & data services, at Intercontinental Exchange, speaks with Scott O’Malia, ISDA CEO, about how market volatility, regulatory change and technological transformation are reshaping global markets. The discussion explores what recent volatility has meant for participation,...
ISDA AGM Studio: Bill Borden, Microsoft
Bill Borden, corporate vice president, worldwide financial services, at Microsoft, speaks with Mark New, ISDA’s co-head of digital transformation and senior counsel, about how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of financial markets and the key factors firms should...