Monday, October 6, 2008

Credit default swaps - who benefits?

Someone should me a chart showing the cost of credit default swaps. Before the financial crisis, the swap rate is at average of 100 bps p.a. for well rated companies. If the structured product sells the swap to insure 6 entities, the total payout is 6% p.a. The money received from the investors were invested in CDOs and low quality bonds, which are likely to earn another 6% p.a. (this is my estimate).

It is possible that the structured product could earn up to 12% p.a. But, this is not the return given to the investors. They are given a low return of about 5% p.a. The question is, "where does the rest of the money go"? I suspect that they are taken away as charges for distribution and profit. There amounts are not disclosed to the investors.

The figures indicated by me are estimates and may not be accurate. It will be better to look at the actual figures. So far, the trustee or the arranger are not disclosing these figures. Perhaps the authority can step in and ask for these figures to be disclosed.

Even if the actual figures are lower than my estimates, there is still a question whether the charges are reasonable or excessive, and whether there is any breach of fiduciary duty.