Template:Differences between repo and sell buyback: Difference between revisions

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===Difference between {{gmraprov|Repurchase Transaction}} and a {{gmraprov|Buy/Sell Back Transaction}}===
===Difference between {{gmraprov|Repurchase Transaction}} and a {{gmraprov|Buy/Sell Back Transaction}}===
According to ICMA’s helpful website<ref>[https://www.icmagroup.org/Regulatory-Policy-and-Market-Practice/repo-and-collateral-markets/icma-ercc-publications/frequently-asked-questions-on-repo/8-what-is-the-difference-between-a-repurchase-agreement-and-a-sell-buy-back/ You can find ICMA’s FAQ here</ref> economically, [[repo]]s and [[sell/buy-back]]s both behave like [[secured loan]]s; legally both amount to a sale and later repurchase of securities. A [[repurchase agreement]] is always a written contract; a [[sell/buy-back]] need not be.  
====The official explanation====
According to [[ICMA]]’s helpful website<ref>[https://www.icmagroup.org/Regulatory-Policy-and-Market-Practice/repo-and-collateral-markets/icma-ercc-publications/frequently-asked-questions-on-repo/8-what-is-the-difference-between-a-repurchase-agreement-and-a-sell-buy-back/ You can find ICMA’s FAQ here]</ref> economically, [[repo]]s and [[sell/buy-back]]s both behave like [[secured loan]]s; legally both amount to a sale and later repurchase of securities. A [[repurchase agreement]] is always a written contract; a [[sell/buy-back]] need not be.  


*'''Undocumented sell/buy-back]]s''': The sale and repurchase legs of an undocumented sell/buy-back are considered as separate contracts. Since there is no contract between times:
*'''Undocumented [[sell/buy-back]]s''': The sale and repurchase legs of an undocumented sell/buy-back are considered as separate contracts. Since there is no contract between times:
**The parties cannot call margin on each other for market movements between the transactions
**The parties cannot call margin on each other for market movements between the transactions
**Netting is less certain.
**Netting is less certain.


*'''Documented sell/buyback]]s''': There are operational differences between repos and documented sell backs:
*'''Documented [[sell/buy-back]]s''': There are operational differences between repos and documented sell backs:
**Differences in the margining process  
**Differences in the [[margin]]ing process  
**What happens when income is paid on collateral.
**What happens to {{gmraprov|Income Payments}} on {{gmraprov|Purchased Securities}}. In a {{nutshell}}, under a Repurchase Transaction you “[[manufacture]]” income back to the {{gmraprov|Seller}} during the life of the {{gmraprov|Transaction}}, but do not account separately for {{gmraprov|Accrued Interest}} (it will be factored into the market price of the securities for margining purposes); in a Buy/Sell Back transaction the Buyer doesn’t manufacture {{gmraprov|Income Payments}} back to the {{gmraprov|Seller}}, but does account for {{gmraprov|Accrued Interest}}.
 
====The JC’s explanation====
Unless you have a taste for [[paradox]] (and who, in our shadow-flecked modern world doesn’t?) beside the {{gmraprov|Income Payment}} [[manufacture|manufacturing]] versus {{gmraprov|Accrued Interest}} there’s ''no'' difference between a {{gmraprov|Repurchase Transaction}} and a {{gmraprov|Buy/Sell Back Transaction}}, and even seasoned industry professionals get fidgety and make their excuses to pop off to the bathroom if you ask them to give one. To the sentiment that [[buy/sell-back]]s are undocumented, the lie is somewhat given to that by the fact that the {{gmra}} expressly incoporates the {{gmraprov|Buy/Sell Back Transaction}} as a defined term ''with its own freaking Annex'', meticulously negotiated into the master by [[negotiator]]s the world over.
 
As to ''why'' you would want to calculate your own interest accruals, extrapolating rates, applying day-count fractions and so on, in a repo arrangement where you don’t, ultimately, want to take price risk to the asset anyway, well, search me.

Latest revision as of 13:30, 14 August 2024

Difference between Repurchase Transaction and a Buy/Sell Back Transaction

The official explanation

According to ICMA’s helpful website[1] economically, repos and sell/buy-backs both behave like secured loans; legally both amount to a sale and later repurchase of securities. A repurchase agreement is always a written contract; a sell/buy-back need not be.

  • Undocumented sell/buy-backs: The sale and repurchase legs of an undocumented sell/buy-back are considered as separate contracts. Since there is no contract between times:
    • The parties cannot call margin on each other for market movements between the transactions
    • Netting is less certain.

The JC’s explanation

Unless you have a taste for paradox (and who, in our shadow-flecked modern world doesn’t?) beside the Income Payment manufacturing versus Accrued Interest there’s no difference between a Repurchase Transaction and a Buy/Sell Back Transaction, and even seasoned industry professionals get fidgety and make their excuses to pop off to the bathroom if you ask them to give one. To the sentiment that buy/sell-backs are undocumented, the lie is somewhat given to that by the fact that the Global Master Repurchase Agreement expressly incoporates the Buy/Sell Back Transaction as a defined term with its own freaking Annex, meticulously negotiated into the master by negotiators the world over.

As to why you would want to calculate your own interest accruals, extrapolating rates, applying day-count fractions and so on, in a repo arrangement where you don’t, ultimately, want to take price risk to the asset anyway, well, search me.