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What is a cross-currency swap?

A cross-currency basis swap is a foreign exchange derivative that could lets companies acquire foreign currency at favorable rates.

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By

Kliment Dukovski

Updated

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A cross-currency swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange currencies at the spot rate. Cross-currency swaps are often made by financial institutions or large multinational corporations to access funds in foreign currencies at favorable rates.

Why is a cross-currency swap useful?

Cross-currency basis swaps are often used by financial institutions and corporations to:

  • Obtain foreign currency to pay for overseas assets.
  • Hedge against currency fluctuations.
  • Acquire foreign currency bonds as investments.
  • Raise foreign money through bonds.

Cross-currency swaps: An example

Suppose Company A is a US company that wants to build a factory in Europe and needs 10 million euros. To get a loan in euros from a European bank would come with high interest rates.

Company B is a German company that needs US dollars to acquire high-tech equipment from a US company. Similar to Company A, Company B will pay a high premium to borrow US dollars from a US financial institution to pay for the equipment.

The solution is simple — Company A and Company B agree to get loans with lower interest rates in their own countries and their home currencies and then swap them between each other at spot rates. When the time comes to pay off the loan, these two companies swap currencies once again at the same exchange rate as when the first swap was made.

Compare foreign exchange brokers

Cross-currency swaps are typically reserved for large companies. But that doesn’t mean you can’t speculate on currency exchanges or hedge against a potential US dollar decline. Forex brokers let you open an account, exchange currencies and make a profit whenever your currency appreciates against the one you sold.

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IG
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IG
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50:1
0%
IG offers tight spreads and lets you access over 80 currency pairs with leverage as high as 1:50, but the platform is far from risk-free and losses can exceed deposits.
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Forex.com
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Forex.com
Currencies
Up to 50:1
0%
Largest forex broker in the United States with assets of $1.449 billion.
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Cross currency swap pros and cons

  • Companies get foreign currency at lower interest rates.
  • Can eliminate foreign currency exposure by locking current exchange rates.
  • Transaction is executed over-the-counter (OTC), meaning it can be customized.
  • Credit risk as the counterparty could default and fail to complete the exchange.
  • Interest rates fluctuate and can negatively affect the cross currency swap deal.

Bottom line

  • A cross-currency swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange currencies at the spot rate.
  • Cross-currency swaps are mostly used by multinational companies and institutions, and they are designed to help them access foreign currency at better terms and interest rates.
  • Individual investors can speculate on currency fluctuations via the forex market.

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