CFH: FRA Used as a Hedging
Transaction
Mapping Cap/Floor Collars in the System
A forward rate agreement (FRA) represents an agreement on a future interest rate. A FRA is used to hedge against falling or rising interest rates.
Valuation and Effectiveness Test
As part of the effectiveness test, the system differentiates between a variable and fixed part of the FRA. The system sets the fixed portion to zero and determines the forward interest rates for the variable part of the FRA and the assigned variable interest payment of the exposure. These values are discounted on the valuation key date and then totaled for the underlying transaction and hedging transaction. Both totals are then compared.
If the test proves the hedging relationship to be 100% effective, the total effect is posted to equity capital (OCI) without affecting profit and loss.
If the underlying transaction and the hedging transaction (FRA) are concluded in local currency, the total effect comprises only the interest rate effect. If a foreign currency is involved, the total effect comprises the interest rate and foreign currency effects. The system cannot manage these effects separately in the effectiveness test.
If an effective hedging relationship is not 100% effective, the system differentiates between the following two scenarios:
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1. If the change in value of the hedging transaction is greater than the change in value of the hedged item, the foreign currency effect is posted proportionately to the profit and loss account.
2. If the change in value of the hedging transaction is less than the change in value of the hedged item, the hedging transaction value is posted to equity and not recognized in profit and loss.
Alternatively, you can use a hypothetical derivative in the effectiveness test.
Creating a Hedging Relationship
To create a hedging relationship, proceed as follows:
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1. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose Treasury and Risk Management → Transaction Manager → Hedge Accounting for Exposures → Hedging Relationships → Hedge Plan (transaction THMEX).
2. Specify Interest Rate Risk as the risk category.
If the Single Hedged Item indicator is set, the system assigns all the loaded exposures (an interest rate instrument or the interest payment in a transaction) to only one hedged item. We recommend that you set this indicator. The reason for this is that a FRA refers to only one interest payment whilst the interest rate instrument usually covers multiple interest payments.
3. Once the underlying transaction has been uploaded, Liabilities or Financial Assets are displayed under the Transaction Category, and Position or Cash Flow are displayed under Transaction Activity. You can also select the underlying transaction manually.
4. Choose the Hedged Item tab page and select the hedge category Cash Flow Hedge.
5. On the Hedging Relationship tab page, specify the FRA that you entered as the hedging instrument.
6. Select the hedge strategy 103 – CF Forward discounted, cumulated.
Selecting the Hedge Strategy
We recommend that you use the hedge strategy 103 – CF Forward discounted, cumulated delivered as standard in Customizing with the calculation type 103.
If you decide to use a different hedge strategy, this strategy must use a calculation type based on calculation category 003 Cash Flow Differences, Forward Rate Discounted and on Cash Flow Determination Method 2 (FAS133: DIG G7 method 1).
Customizing Settings
● In Customizing for the Transaction Manager, you can use the standard product type 63B (FRA Hedge Accounting) by choosing OTC Derivatives → Transaction Management → Product Types → Define Product Types.
● Product type 63B is assigned to position management procedure 3000 (Derivatives: Hedging Instr., Hedge Acc.). This setting is in Customizing for the Transaction Manager under Accounting → Settings for Position Management → Assign Position Management Procedure.
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See also:
● Hypothetical (Perfect) Derivative
● Cash Flow Hedge (CFH) to Hedge Interest Rate Risk