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ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

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Basis Points (bps)<br />

500<br />

Figure 6-19<br />

TED Spread, 2005–2016<br />

450<br />

400<br />

350<br />

300<br />

250<br />

200<br />

150<br />

100<br />

50<br />

Nov-2016<br />

0<br />

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016<br />

Source: Federal Reserve Board.<br />

difficulty in creating a complete picture of such exposures highlighted the<br />

need for better data.<br />

Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are determined<br />

by reference to other “underlying assets,” and include forwards, futures,<br />

options, and swaps. These instruments are useful to investors and businesses<br />

seeking to hedge risks. For example, an airline may need to hedge its<br />

exposure to oil price fluctuations or a pension fund may need to hedge its<br />

exposure to interest rate changes. Derivatives often create leverage because<br />

changes in the value of the underlying asset can be magnified many times in<br />

the value of the derivative contract. Thus, while they can be used to hedge<br />

against risks, derivatives can also be used to increase exposure to risky assets<br />

and can concentrate risk rather than dispersing risk among many market<br />

participants. Many derivatives have standardized terms, are traded on<br />

exchanges, and are cleared through central counterparties (CCPs). Exchange<br />

trading and central clearing create a record of prices and transactions that<br />

can be used by the public in the price discovery process and by regulators<br />

to measure the exposures of market participants. Central clearing also helps<br />

mitigate counter-party credit risk.<br />

400 | Chapter 6

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