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Credit Default Swaps

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Abstract

Credit default swaps (CDS) are the most common type of credit derivative. This paper provides a brief history of the CDS market and discusses its main characteristics. After describing the basic mechanics of a CDS, I present a simple valuation framework that focuses on the relationship between conditions in the cash and CDS markets as well as an approach to mark to market existing CDS positions. The discussion highlights how the 2008 global financial crisis helped shape current practices and conventions in the CDS market, including the widespread adoption of standardized coupons and upfront premiums and the increased reliance on centralized counterparties. I also address CDS indexes--focusing on their growing role as key indicators of investors' attitudes toward credit risk--and briefly examine their behavior during periods of acute financial or economic dislocations, including those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Antulio N. Bomfim, 2022. "Credit Default Swaps," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2022-023, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2022-23
    DOI: 10.17016/FEDS.2022.023
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    1. Ang, Andrew & Longstaff, Francis A., 2013. "Systemic sovereign credit risk: Lessons from the U.S. and Europe," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(5), pages 493-510.
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    3. Stulz, Rene, 2010. "Credit default Swaps and the Credit Crisis," Ekonomicheskaya Politika / Economic Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vol. 6, pages 157-175.
    4. Tolikas, Konstantinos & Topaloglou, Nikolas, 2017. "Is default risk priced equally fast in the credit default swap and the stock markets? AN empirical investigation," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 39-57.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Credit derivatives; Credit default swaps; Credit risk; CDX; Credit curves; CDS-cash basis; CDS valuation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General

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