Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swap Application in the Long-Term Currency Risk Management

Abstract

Effective currency risk management using various derivatives is particularly important under increased market volatility. The risk is relatively higher for longer than shorter time frames. This study highlights the implementation of selected instruments for long-term hedging. It presents the application of cross-currency interest rate swap as a currency risk hedging tool used by Polish exporters, mainly manufacturers generating their revenues mostly abroad (in euro area), exposed to negative exchange rate fluctuations. The paper covers issues related to the pricing, market risk estimation and collateral required in the OTC market, as well as undertakes a sensitivity analysis in search for exchange rates at which margin call occurs. There is a comparative analysis and back test simulation conducted using market data from exchange and money markets. The study emphasized that the analyzed instrument meets the expectations in terms of hedging the company cash flows, as well as may generate additional benefits due to the still existing interest rate differential.