Copyright ©2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 12-12
Forward Contract Impact
If Sam’s fixed costs are $50,000, and the variable cost is $3 per unit, Sam will lock in profit of $20,000 ($100,000 revenue less $50,000 fixed costs less $30,000 variable costs). If the market price for the item increases, Sam can sell at the higher market price and settle with Irene by paying her the difference, or simply sell the items to Irene at the contracted price. Either way, Sam has profit of $20,000.
Copyright ©2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 12-10
Swaps
Swaps are contracts to exchange an ongoing stream of cash flows, commonly swapping interest rates. Swap variable- for fixed-rate debt, or Swap fixed- for variable-rate debt Swaps are commonly negotiated on an individual basis like forward contracts, but may be standardized and exchange-traded like futures.