Exercise 3: Index-Linked Asset Swaps

Compare the relative values of the following two bonds.

Nominal Bond Index-Linked Bond

Price (dirty inc. inflation) 102.11 102.23
Coupon 4% 1.6% index-linked
Maturity 10 years 10 years

You can do this on an asset swap basis by converting the bond cashflows to Libor plus a spread.

In converting the nominal bond’s cashflows to floating plus a spread you will use the nominal swap
curve. With the index linked bond you will have to use inflation swaps to strip out the inflation
component of the fixed cashflows before finding a spread over or under Libor that gives equivalent
value.

Once both bond coupons have been converted to Libor plus a spread they can be compared on a
like for like basis. Do the initial comparison using par asset swaps. If there is time you can also try
proceeds asset swaps.

• Swap curve discount factors are given in the template spreadsheet and zero coupon inflation
swap rates are as follows:

Zero Coupon Inflation Swaps

Maturity Bid Ask Maturity Bid Ask
1Y 2.18% 2.28% 6Y 2.37% 2.47%
2Y 2.27% 2.37% 7Y 2.38% 2.48%
3Y 2.31% 2.41% 8Y 2.37% 2.47%
4Y 2.35% 2.45% 9Y 2.38% 2.48%
5Y 2.36% 2.46% 10Y 2.40% 2.50%

To illustrate how the index linked asset swap works the template spreadsheet will guide you
through the following steps:

• Work out the indexation coefficients and bond cashflows for a constant inflation rate over the
life of the bond (say 2%).
• Convert the index-linked bond cashflows to fixed payments by using a series of zero coupon
inflation swaps at the rates given. The swap principals will need to be equal to the bond’s
nominal coupon payments and par payment at maturity.
• Check to see that the position is hedged against inflation changes and that there is no
alteration in the net cashflow (bond plus swap) for different levels of inflation.
• Convert the fixed cashflow stream to Libor plus a spread by discounting both sets of cashflows
and setting the spread so that the total NPV is zero. Remember to include the difference
between the bond’s dirty price and par as an initial payment.

• The relevant CPI for today is 110.

Starting Point: Inflation Asset Swaps [Link]

Answer: Inflation Asset Swaps [Link]

© David Cox 1 Using inflation derivatives

Exercise 3: Index-Linked Asset Swaps

Notes to the answer spreadsheet

Nominal Bond Par Asset Swap

Investor Swap Market

Buy €100,000,000
nominal of bond @ 102.11
inc. accrued interest €2,110,000 Difference between bond dirty
price and par
Receive difference
between price and par
from swap market
Swap Fixed € coupon for Euribor – 4.3bp
Floating €
4%
Bond Bond
Purchase: Redeemed at par:
€102,110,000 €100,000,000

Coupon @ 4%

Bond Issuer
At maturity bond is redeemed at par

Index-Linked Bond Par Asset Swap

Investor Bank

Buy €100,000,000 nominal Difference between inflation

€2,230,000
of bond @ 102.23 inflation adjusted dirty price and par
adjusted dirty price
Receive difference between Euribor – 4.9bp
price and par from swap (not index linked)
market 1.6% * Inflation
Swap fixed € coupon for €100,000,000 (par)
floating € €100,000,000 * inflation

Bond Bond redeemed: 1.6% + principal

Purchase: par * inflation — inflation
€102,230,000

Coupon: @ 1.6% * Inflation

ZC inflation IRS on inflation
Bond Issuer swaps swap fixed
cashflows

© David Cox 2 Using inflation derivatives