A swap rate is the rate of the fixed leg of a swap as determined by its particular market and the parties involved. In an interest rate swap, it is the fixed interest rate exchanged for a benchmark rate such as Libor, plus or minus a spread. It is also the exchange rate associated with the fixed portion of a currency swap.

How Does the Swap Rate Work?

Swap rates are applied to different types of swaps. An interest rate swap refers to the exchange of a floating interest rate for a fixed interest rate. A currency swap refers to the exchange of interest payments in one currency for those in another currency. In both types of transactions, the fixed element is referred to as the swap rate.

What Does an Interest Rate Swap Tell You?

In an interest rate swap, one party will be the payer and the other will be the recipient of the fixed rate. The cash flow of the fixed rate leg of the swap is set when the trade is undertaken. The cash flow for the floating rate leg is set periodically on the rate reset dates, which are determined by the reset period of the floating rate leg.

The most common index for the floating rate leg is the three-month Libor. This can either be paid quarterly or compounded and paid semi-annually. The rate above or below the chosen Libor reflects the yield curve and credit spread to be charged.

Interest rate payments between fixed and floating rate legs are netted at the end of each payment period and only the difference is exchanged.

What Does a Currency Swap Tell You?

There are three types of interest rate exchanges for a currency swap:

1. The fixed rate of one currency for the fixed rate of the second currency.
2. The fixed rate of one currency for the floating rate of the second currency.
3. The floating rate of one currency for the floating rate of the second currency.

The swap can include or exclude a full exchange of the principal amount of the currency at both the beginning and the end of the swap. The interest rate payments are not netted because they are calculated and paid in different currencies. Regardless of whether or not the principal is exchanged, a swap rate for the conversion of the principal must be set.

If there is no exchange of principal, then the swap rate is simply used for the calculation of the two notional principal currency amounts on which the interest rate payments are based. If there is an exchange, where the swap rate is set can have a financial impact since the exchange rate can change between the start of the agreement and its conclusion.

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