The business of hedging
sound risk management without
the rocket-science
Rocket-science is not a
prerequisite of hedging. You don' even need a trading or financial background to be able
to learn how to put the principles into good practice. The concepts and many of the
executions of hedging are surprisingly simple.
Starting with the
fundamentals, The Business of Hedging is a systematic and clearly explained tour of
financial risk management. It describes the various forms of risk, such as interest rate
risk, foreign exchange risk, and commodity price risk, and shows how these can have
adverse effects on your business. It reviews the different tools available to neutralise
these, including forwards, swaps, futures and options, and illustrates how best to apply
them to everyday business. It also shows the strategies used by top companies around the
world over the last century and a half, and describes how you can use the same techniques
within your own company.
The Business of Hedging
counteracts the fact that as the derivatives industry becomes more specialised and
esoteric it is bypassing the very people that it can be of most benefit to. It provides a
simple understanding of risk management and will enable you to put the right structure in
place to not only ensure the survival of your own business but also guarantee its
continued growth and prosperity.
The Business of Hedging.
Harness the skills. Avoid the science.
PART ONE Foundations of
Hedging Financial Risk
Chapter One The Background to
Hedging
Why Hedging is Your Business
Identifying Risks in an Enterprise Managing Risk and Hedging Risk Conclusion
Chapter Two The fundamentals
The Nature of a Financial
Hedge Essential Elements of a Financial Hedge The Need to Measure
Risk Volatility as a Measure of Risk Measuring the Value at Risk(VAR)
Hedgeable Risk The Three Risks of the Apocalypse The Price
of Money Commodity Price Risk Systemic Risk
The Tools of Financial
Hedging
Chapter Three The Derivatives
Know Your Tools
The Fundamentals of
Derivatives Over-The-Counter Derivatives (OTCs) Exchange-Traded Derivatives
Chapter Four Financial Swaps
Background The
Subject Matter of a Financial Swap The Basic Structure of Swaps The Risk in
Interest Rate Swaps Types of Interest Rate Swaps Basic Currency Swaps Cross-Currency
Coupon Swap The Cross-Currency Basis Swap Complex Currency Swap Types Commodity Swaps
Equity Index Swaps Master Agreements and the ISDA Flexibility of Swaps
Chapter Five Financial
Options
Background The
Universal Principles of Options Option Pricing Time Value of an
Option The Greeks Exercising an Option Profit and Loss at Option
Expiration Option Multiple Exercise Constructs - Caps and Floors The Risk of
the Parties to Options
Chapter Six Commodity Futures
Background Some
Basic Features of Futures Contracts The Three Innovations of the Futures Contract The
Minimum Standard Terms and Conditions Contract Negotiability or On-Sellability The
Elimination of Credit Risk Pricing the Futures The Basis
Chapter Seven Option on
Futures
Background Option
Standardization Option Classification Selling Options on Futures
Chapter Eight Derivatives
Risk
Basis Risk Credit Risk Legal
Risk Operational Risk
PART THREE The Business of
Hedging
Chapter Nine Laying the
Groundwork
Background
Analyzing the Risk Selecting the Right Hedging Tool Meeting the
Risk Criteria Meeting Your Business Criteria
Chapter Ten Hedging the Price
of Money
Background Analyzing
Money Price Risk - Additional Factors Using Swaps The Zero-Sum Objection
Using OTC Options The Strike Rate and the Option Premium Using Futures
Interest Rate Futures Currency Futures Using Options on Futures
Chapter Eleven Hedging
Commodity and Systemic Risks
Hedging Commodities
Hedging Systemic Risk Hedging Creatively Conclusion
195pp