FRA Pricing and Valuation

pop synthpop, tuareg synthwave · 3:52

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Picture a contract made today
For borrowing money in three months' time
The rate gets locked, but we must weigh
What's fair before we sign the dotted line
Banks shake hands on future rates
But who wins when the market fluctuates?

[Chorus]
No arbitrage keeps it clean
Calculate what fair should mean
Long position wins when rates climb high
Short position profits when they slide
FRA settlement, mark to market
No free lunch in banking's target

[Verse 2]
Notional principal stays put
Just the interest difference flows
If market rate exceeds our foot-
Print rate, the long position glows
Settlement discounted back
Present value fills the gap

[Chorus]
No arbitrage keeps it clean
Calculate what fair should mean
Long position wins when rates climb high
Short position profits when they slide
FRA settlement, mark to market
No free lunch in banking's target

[Bridge]
Take the reference rate today
Subtract the fixed rate we agreed
Multiply notional, then weigh
Against the discount factor's feed
Days over three-sixty base
Settlement finds its proper place

[Verse 3]
Pricing formula's crystal clear
Forward rate equals spot plus spread
Bootstrap the curve, make premiums disappear
Arbitrage opportunities drop dead
Market makers quote both ways
Risk management always pays

[Chorus]
No arbitrage keeps it clean
Calculate what fair should mean
Long position wins when rates climb high
Short position profits when they slide
FRA settlement, mark to market
No free lunch in banking's target

[Outro]
Forward rate agreements dance
Between the present and tomorrow
No arbitrage gives us our chance
To price without financial sorrow

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