A closer look at swap / Invoice spread opportunities

Some important changes have occurred in recent years that may alter the dynamics of swap spreads in Canada. First, the rise in interest rates since 2021 results in a different "normal" level of spreads. Second, swap spread trades have become simpler and easier than ever before thanks to changes in standard Canadian swap terms. Third, the rise of liquid futures contracts may influence spreads going forward. Finally, there is reason to not trust the mortgage seasonal in 2024, but that may lead to trading opportunities later in the year. We visit each hypothesis in turn after a brief update on the price action for spreads in recent years.

READ ARTICLE

Related Articles

  • February 24, 2025
    Investors regularly ask us how to calculate the fair value of rolling from the active to new contract for various physical delivery fixed income contracts listed on Montréal Exchange. We discuss here why a complete calculation is unsettlingly complex but suggest that, for most investors, a simplified, option-free, fair value calculation is probably adequate.
    March 24, 2025
    The Canadian interest rate markets entered a new phase as CORRA Futures replaced the traditional BAX contracts. In this edition, our updated "BAX Spaghetti" chart illustrates this transition, revealing how the new CRA contracts are performing in today's market environment. As trade tensions create market uncertainty, we examine whether the era of "easy money" in rolldown trading might be ending, and what this means for market participants adapting to Canada's evolving financial landscape.
  • May 6, 2025
    A historic shift is occurring in the long-standing economic relationship between Canada and the United States. While mean reversion trades between the two economies have been reliable in the past, this traditional correlation is slowly unwinding after 30-40 years of close ties. This decoupling, though gradual, signals fundamental changes in trade patterns, bond market correlations, and cross-currency relationships.