The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) today announced the launch of standard templates for sharia-compliant foreign Exchange
Exchange
An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading.
An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading.
Read this Term forwards in a move to improve hedging practices in the industry and the need for more cost effective tools to manage foreign currency risks.
The new world of online trading, fintech and marketing - register now for the Finance Magnates Tel Aviv Conference, June 29th 2016.
Two Templates
The Bahrain-based IIFM, which started operations in 2002, has outlined two templates to accommodate the main industry practices.
The standards involve the use of either one or two unilateral promises, known as wa'ad, which are committed separately by each counterparty, with the latter providing greater credit security.
Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, Chief Excecutive, IIFM, said: "Based on market requirement and feedback, our assessment is that the use of two unilateral wa'ad structure will increase. Certain other FX products can now be explored under two unilateral wa'ad concept, which IIFM may look into in the future."
There are currently several hedging tools used in Islamic finance. Some are based on a cost-plus-profit arrangement, otherwise known as murabaha, but these tend to be cumbersome as well as costly.
Strict Principles
Islamic finance adheres to religious principles which ban the charging of interest and avoid ambiguity in contracts.
Islamic banks are thus precluded from traditional forwards as they are legally binding from the outset, leaving counterparties exposed to an uncertain outcome.
In an Islamic forward, the exchange rate is fixed at the outset but remains a promise until offer and acceptance is completed at the forward date. At this point, the transaction becomes a contract.
The choice of wa'ad also means that Islamic banks do not need to employ their balance sheets for their hedging needs, compared to previous practices under murabaha.
The IIFM, which developed the standards in combination with the International Swaps
Swaps
Swaps can be defined as a derivate contact composed of two parties that exchange to cash flow between two separate financial instruments.They are generally divided into two categories. This includes contingent claims (options) and forward claims, where forward contracts, swaps, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are exchanged. Commodity price, equity price, interest rate, and foreign exchange rate are common variables used as one of the cash flows in swaps upon initiation. Different Types of SwapsCommon types of swaps include interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, currency swaps, and debt-equity swaps.Interest rate swaps are used to hedge against interest rate risk and involve cash flows exchanged between two parties that are comprised of a notional principal amount. A financial intermediary or a bank is used for swaps but these are dependent upon both party’s comparative advantage.Commodity swaps use the exchange of a floating commodity price, with a predetermined set price for a specific period while crude oil is the most heavily swapped commodity. Meanwhile, currency swaps involve the exchange of principal payments of debt and interest that are denominated in different currencies. An example of a currency swap would be when the U.S. Federal Reserve conducted a swap with central banks of Europe during the 2010 European financial crisis.Used as a way to reallocate capital structure or refinance debt, a debt-equity swap deals with the exchange of debt for equity. For instance, a public traded company would issue bonds for stocks. Swaps are not exchange-traded instruments but rather customized contracts traded in an over-the-counter market between parties. While the swaps industry is primarily used by firms and financial institutions, retail traders have been known to participate although there is always a risk of counterparty’s defaulting on agreed-upon swaps.
Swaps can be defined as a derivate contact composed of two parties that exchange to cash flow between two separate financial instruments.They are generally divided into two categories. This includes contingent claims (options) and forward claims, where forward contracts, swaps, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are exchanged. Commodity price, equity price, interest rate, and foreign exchange rate are common variables used as one of the cash flows in swaps upon initiation. Different Types of SwapsCommon types of swaps include interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, currency swaps, and debt-equity swaps.Interest rate swaps are used to hedge against interest rate risk and involve cash flows exchanged between two parties that are comprised of a notional principal amount. A financial intermediary or a bank is used for swaps but these are dependent upon both party’s comparative advantage.Commodity swaps use the exchange of a floating commodity price, with a predetermined set price for a specific period while crude oil is the most heavily swapped commodity. Meanwhile, currency swaps involve the exchange of principal payments of debt and interest that are denominated in different currencies. An example of a currency swap would be when the U.S. Federal Reserve conducted a swap with central banks of Europe during the 2010 European financial crisis.Used as a way to reallocate capital structure or refinance debt, a debt-equity swap deals with the exchange of debt for equity. For instance, a public traded company would issue bonds for stocks. Swaps are not exchange-traded instruments but rather customized contracts traded in an over-the-counter market between parties. While the swaps industry is primarily used by firms and financial institutions, retail traders have been known to participate although there is always a risk of counterparty’s defaulting on agreed-upon swaps.
Read this Term and Derivatives Association (ISDA), has previously launched templates for cross currency and profit rate swaps and the Islamic equivalents to repurchase agreements.
The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) today announced the launch of standard templates for sharia-compliant foreign Exchange
Exchange
An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading.
An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading.
Read this Term forwards in a move to improve hedging practices in the industry and the need for more cost effective tools to manage foreign currency risks.
The new world of online trading, fintech and marketing - register now for the Finance Magnates Tel Aviv Conference, June 29th 2016.
Two Templates
The Bahrain-based IIFM, which started operations in 2002, has outlined two templates to accommodate the main industry practices.
The standards involve the use of either one or two unilateral promises, known as wa'ad, which are committed separately by each counterparty, with the latter providing greater credit security.
Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, Chief Excecutive, IIFM, said: "Based on market requirement and feedback, our assessment is that the use of two unilateral wa'ad structure will increase. Certain other FX products can now be explored under two unilateral wa'ad concept, which IIFM may look into in the future."
There are currently several hedging tools used in Islamic finance. Some are based on a cost-plus-profit arrangement, otherwise known as murabaha, but these tend to be cumbersome as well as costly.
Strict Principles
Islamic finance adheres to religious principles which ban the charging of interest and avoid ambiguity in contracts.
Islamic banks are thus precluded from traditional forwards as they are legally binding from the outset, leaving counterparties exposed to an uncertain outcome.
In an Islamic forward, the exchange rate is fixed at the outset but remains a promise until offer and acceptance is completed at the forward date. At this point, the transaction becomes a contract.
The choice of wa'ad also means that Islamic banks do not need to employ their balance sheets for their hedging needs, compared to previous practices under murabaha.
The IIFM, which developed the standards in combination with the International Swaps
Swaps
Swaps can be defined as a derivate contact composed of two parties that exchange to cash flow between two separate financial instruments.They are generally divided into two categories. This includes contingent claims (options) and forward claims, where forward contracts, swaps, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are exchanged. Commodity price, equity price, interest rate, and foreign exchange rate are common variables used as one of the cash flows in swaps upon initiation. Different Types of SwapsCommon types of swaps include interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, currency swaps, and debt-equity swaps.Interest rate swaps are used to hedge against interest rate risk and involve cash flows exchanged between two parties that are comprised of a notional principal amount. A financial intermediary or a bank is used for swaps but these are dependent upon both party’s comparative advantage.Commodity swaps use the exchange of a floating commodity price, with a predetermined set price for a specific period while crude oil is the most heavily swapped commodity. Meanwhile, currency swaps involve the exchange of principal payments of debt and interest that are denominated in different currencies. An example of a currency swap would be when the U.S. Federal Reserve conducted a swap with central banks of Europe during the 2010 European financial crisis.Used as a way to reallocate capital structure or refinance debt, a debt-equity swap deals with the exchange of debt for equity. For instance, a public traded company would issue bonds for stocks. Swaps are not exchange-traded instruments but rather customized contracts traded in an over-the-counter market between parties. While the swaps industry is primarily used by firms and financial institutions, retail traders have been known to participate although there is always a risk of counterparty’s defaulting on agreed-upon swaps.
Swaps can be defined as a derivate contact composed of two parties that exchange to cash flow between two separate financial instruments.They are generally divided into two categories. This includes contingent claims (options) and forward claims, where forward contracts, swaps, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are exchanged. Commodity price, equity price, interest rate, and foreign exchange rate are common variables used as one of the cash flows in swaps upon initiation. Different Types of SwapsCommon types of swaps include interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, currency swaps, and debt-equity swaps.Interest rate swaps are used to hedge against interest rate risk and involve cash flows exchanged between two parties that are comprised of a notional principal amount. A financial intermediary or a bank is used for swaps but these are dependent upon both party’s comparative advantage.Commodity swaps use the exchange of a floating commodity price, with a predetermined set price for a specific period while crude oil is the most heavily swapped commodity. Meanwhile, currency swaps involve the exchange of principal payments of debt and interest that are denominated in different currencies. An example of a currency swap would be when the U.S. Federal Reserve conducted a swap with central banks of Europe during the 2010 European financial crisis.Used as a way to reallocate capital structure or refinance debt, a debt-equity swap deals with the exchange of debt for equity. For instance, a public traded company would issue bonds for stocks. Swaps are not exchange-traded instruments but rather customized contracts traded in an over-the-counter market between parties. While the swaps industry is primarily used by firms and financial institutions, retail traders have been known to participate although there is always a risk of counterparty’s defaulting on agreed-upon swaps.
Read this Term and Derivatives Association (ISDA), has previously launched templates for cross currency and profit rate swaps and the Islamic equivalents to repurchase agreements.
