3. Forward Commitments

b. contrast forward commitments with contingent claims;

## c. define forward contracts, futures contracts, options (calls and puts), swaps, and credit derivatives and compare their basic characteristics;

What is a forward commitment? A forward commitment is an agreement between two parties in which one party agrees to buy and the other agrees to sell an asset at a future date at a price agreed on today. In essence, a forward commitment represents a commitment to buy or sell.

What are the three types of forward commitments? 1. Forward contract 2. Futures contract 3. Swap

What is a forward contract? A forward contract is a forward commitment created in the over-the-counter market. It is not conditional; both the buyer and the seller are obliged to perform the contract as agreed.

What is the difference between a forward contract and a spot contract? - A forward contract is settled in the future. - A spot contract is settled immediately

What is a futures contract? A futures contract is almost identical to a forward contract except that is is traded on an official organized exchange.

What role does the clearinghouse play on futures contracts? Performance on a futures contract is guaranteed by a clearinghouse - a financial institution associated with the futures exchange that guarantees the financial integrity of the market to all traders.

What is daily settlement or marking to market? - Every day, the gain and loss incurred by each trader is computed based on the market price of the futures contracts. - After the contracts are marked-to-market, funds are transferred from the traders who have sustained losses to traders who have incurred gains.

What is a swap? A swap is a variation of a forward contract that is essentially equivalent to a series of forward contracts. Specifically, a swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange a series of future cash flows.