Forward Rate

Last Updated :

-

Blog Author :

Edited by :

Reviewed by :

Table Of Contents

arrow

Forward Rate Meaning

The forward rate refers to the expected yield or interest rate on a future bond or forex investment or even loans/debts. It requires investors to sign a contract agreeing to carry out a financial transaction at a specific future date. Hence, its calculation typically involves interest rate and maturity period.

Forward Rate

This rate, also known as forward yield, allows investors to choose from various investment options, such as US Treasury Bills (T-bills), depending on predicted interest rates. Two typical ways to estimate the future yield on an investment are the spot rate and the yield curve. It is commonly used for hedging and serves as a financial market economic indicator.

  • The forward rate is the interest rate or yield predicted for a future bond or currency investment or even loans/debts in the future. Besides the interest rate, maturity time is another component of its calculation.
  • It allows investors to choose from multiple investment options, such as US Treasury Bills (T-bills), using the spot rate and the yield curve.
  • It is frequently used for hedging and is seen as an economic indicator that aids investors in reducing currency market risks.
  • The difference between forward yield and spot rate is that the latter represents the current interest rate or yield for bonds that must be settled and delivered on the same day. 

Forward Rate Explained

The forward rate calculation considers the interest rate observed for the investment that has reached maturity lately. Based on this analysis or projection, traders decide if a future yield for the investment is profitable. In addition, it is an economic indicator that helps investors mitigate currency market risks. As a result, investors prefer investing in bonds or other financial instruments only when they find forward yields worthy of those investments.

It involves a Forward Rate Agreement (FRA), a derivative contract between two parties who agree to complete the transaction later. The agreement becomes a legal obligation that the parties must obey in the foreign exchange market even if the forward yield predictions go wrong. Forward yield also helps determine the future value of bonds. The future date can range from a few months to a year.

Even though FRAs sound similar to futures contracts, there is a significant distinction between the two. While currency forwards can be customized to meet the individual needs of the parties involved in the transaction, futures cannot be tailored and have predetermined contract size and expiration dates.

Formula

The standard formula used for forward rate calculation is:

Forward Rate = ((1+Ra)Ta/(1+Rb)Tb  - 1)

Where,

  • Ra = Spot rate for the bond with maturity period Ta
  • Ta = Maturity period for one term
  • Rb = Spot rate for the bond with maturity period Tb
  • Tb = Maturity period for the second term

Calculation

Forward rates can be calculated using the spot rate or yield curve. The latter depicts the association between the rates of interest observed for government bonds of various maturities. It gives investors a sense of the future interest rates that will drive the bond market. As a result, they predict the forward yield and make investment decisions based on that forecast. On the other hand, the former is the yield assumed on a zero-coupon Treasury bond.

Suppose an investor wishes to buy a one-year bond. The two alternatives available are acquiring a 1-year T-bill or investing in a six-month T-bill and reinvesting it for the next six months. Here, the investor will know the spot rate for six-month or 1-year at the start of the investment. However, the forward yield, whose exact amount is unknown, is the interest rate the investor speculates on purchasing the second six-month T-bill.

Example

Let us consider the following forward rate example to understand its calculation:

Suppose Megan buys a five-year bond with an annual yield of 8% and a three-year bond with an annual yield of 6%. She uses the forward rate formula to estimate the future value and decide whether to invest in it or not.

Forward Rate = ((1+Ra)Ta/(1+Rb)Tb  - 1) = ((1+0.08)5/(1+0.06)3  - 1)

                       = 0.233692695

                       = 23.37%

Given below is a forward rate chart taken from TradingView. The chart depicts the rate two years from now, and this can be used as the future rates for a specific financial instrument to ensure risk control against interest fluctuations. In this manner, the method benefits not only investors but also exporters, who can decide the future exchange rate now for their export orders to be undertaken in the future and prevent any loss due to a rise in the rate when the actual delivery takes place.

Source

Forward Rate vs Spot Rate

The forward yield is the interest rate paid on a bond in the future. On the other hand, the spot rate is the interest rate for future contracts that must be settled and delivered immediately (on the spot) or on the same day. Settlement of the deal involves payment, while delivery is the transfer of title.

Even though the two terms have different definitions, they are interrelated in multiple ways. The spot rate of investments is essential to calculate the forward yield. The rate of interest that drives the currency market is key in speculating the forward yield.

The differences between the forward rate and spot rate are as follows:

Forward RateSpot Rate
Future yield or rate of interestThe current rate of interest or yield
Meant for investments made for a future dateMeant for investments to be settled immediately on the spot
Not applicable before a predetermined future date is reachedApplicable for investments to be delivered on the same day

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is forward rate?

The forward rate is the interest rate observed for a recently matured bond or currency investment. Traders use this to determine whether a future yield on an investment is profitable from a few months to a year or more in the future. It involves a Forward Rate Agreement that creates a legal obligation in the Forex market. Bonds' future value is determined by their forward yield. The spot rate or the yield curve can compute forward yield. It is regarded as a financial indicator that aids investors in reducing currency market risks.

What is the difference between a forward rate and future spot rate?

The forward yield is the interest rate to be paid on a bond or currency investment in the future. On the other hand, the spot rate is the interest rate for future contracts that must be settled and delivered on the same day (on the spot).

How do you calculate forward rate?

Forward Yield = ((1+Ra)Ta/(1+Rb)Tb  - 1)
Where,
Ra = Spot rate for the bond with maturity period Ta
Ta = Maturity period for one term
Rb = Spot rate for the bond with maturity period Tb
Tb = Maturity period for the second term