Credit Default Swaps

Free CFA Level II lesson in Fixed Income. 10 min read, ~1,541 words.

CDS: protection buyer pays premium; seller makes contingent payment on credit event. Standardized coupons: 100 bps (IG), 500 bps (HY). Upfront payment settles the difference. Upfront = (Market spread - Fixed coupon) x EffSpreadDur x Notional. MTM gain to buyer = (Current spread - Contracted spread) x Duration x Notional...

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