Interest Rate Markets: A Practical Approach to Fixed Income

With trades worth trillions of dollars annually, the U.S. interest rate markets are some of the largest and most important markets in the world. These markets attract a wide variety of participants, from individuals and corporations to governments, and offer numerous financial instruments that include bonds, swaps, futures, and options. Each of these instruments requires careful understanding of unique risks.

Growing out of the author's experience as a fixed income strategist, Interest Rate Markets equips the reader with the knowledge and tools needed to rationally assess those risks for informed investment decisions. Toward this end, the book discusses the structural drivers and the main players of fixed income markets; explains how to understand and forecast the yield curve and spreads; and elaborates on the trades in cash and derivative products. To develop a complete picture of fixed income space, it analyzes rate options and volatility trading.

A detailed primer, Interest Rate Markets starts from the first principles to acquaint newcomers with interest rate products, mathematical tools, and intuitive understanding of market concepts. It then expands upon these basics and provides an in-depth understanding of the drivers of rates markets and interest rate volatility. The experienced professional will find this book an indispensable resource on trading, hedging, and market indicators. Seasoned professionals and novices alike will also find value on the companion website, including example sets, commonly used calculations, and trade construction methods.