Template:Capsule equity derivative dividend payments: Difference between revisions
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===[[Manufacturing]] dividends under an [[equity swap]]=== | ===[[Manufacturing]] dividends under an [[equity swap]]=== | ||
You will quickly come to realise that the equity derivatives definitions regarding payment of dividends might as well have come from a dungeon deep in the brain of MC Esher. {{icds}}, with its yen for infinite particularity and optionality, has | You will quickly come to realise that the equity derivatives definitions regarding payment of dividends might as well have come from a dungeon deep in the brain of MC Esher. {{icds}}, with its yen for infinite particularity and optionality, has formulated alternate mechanisms to [[manufacturing|manufacture]] dividends by reference to three key stages in the dividend distribution process in an underlying [[security]]: the '''[[record date]]''' (being the date on which a [[holder of record]] becomes entitled to a dividend payment), the '''[[ex date]]''' (being the date on which the underlying shares trade clean of the dividend payment in the market, which will be one [[settlement cycle]] ''before'' the [[record date]]), and the '''[[dividend payment date]]''' itself (being the date on which the underlying dividend distributions actually hit holders’ bank accounts). In the [[JC]]’s view, as explained below, this is a classic case of overengineering. | ||
Also, note this: the [[ex date]] and the [[record date]] logically come ''before'' the [[dividend payment date]]. They will usually precede it by weeks or even months. So if your {{eqderivprov|Dividend Period}}s are short (e.g., monthly), it is quite likely that the [[ex date]] and [[record date]] will fall in an earlier {{eqderivprov|Dividend Period}} then the [[dividend payment date]]. | |||
If you elected {{eqderivprov|Ex Amount}} or {{eqderivprov|Record Amount}}, this would mean your [[equity swap]] would pay its {{eqderivprov|Dividend Amount}} ''before'' the underlying share paid its actual dividend. | |||
Spoiler: that’s stupid. | |||
The point of a derivative is to replicate, as closely as possible, the economics of its reference asset. Not only does electing {{eqderivprov|Ex Amount}} or {{eqderivprov|Record Amount}} introduce ''arbitrary<ref> arbitrary because it is totally dependent on whether the [[ex date]] falls in the same {{eqderivprov|Dividend Period}} as the actual payment date, which in turn will be a function of the registrar’s schedule and nothing to do with the Issuer.</ref> timing'' “[[basis]]” between the derivative and its underlying security, it also potentially introduces ''credit'' “[[basis]]”, because an underlying issuer which has ''[[Declaration date|declared]]'' a dividend may not ultimately be able to pay it — if it has become [[insolvent]] in the meantime, which could be a period of months. Now ''some'' timing basis between a [[derivative]] and its underlying is inevitable — the derivative payment will lag the underlying payment — but credit basis is certainly not. ''Derivatives are not meant to guarantee the performance of the underlying securities they reference''<ref>Okay I realise that seems not to be true for [[credit derivatives]]. But even there, the credit protection “buyer” is effectively ''short'' the derivative exposure. It is simply confused because in the classic case, the protection “seller” was an investor ''buying'' a [[CDO]] which is an instrument which securitises a short [[credit derivative]].</ref>. In fact, that is utterly antithetical to the very definition of the word “derivative”. | |||
Revision as of 09:22, 25 January 2020
Manufacturing dividends under an equity swap
You will quickly come to realise that the equity derivatives definitions regarding payment of dividends might as well have come from a dungeon deep in the brain of MC Esher. ISDA’s crack drafting squad™, with its yen for infinite particularity and optionality, has formulated alternate mechanisms to manufacture dividends by reference to three key stages in the dividend distribution process in an underlying security: the record date (being the date on which a holder of record becomes entitled to a dividend payment), the ex date (being the date on which the underlying shares trade clean of the dividend payment in the market, which will be one settlement cycle before the record date), and the dividend payment date itself (being the date on which the underlying dividend distributions actually hit holders’ bank accounts). In the JC’s view, as explained below, this is a classic case of overengineering.
Also, note this: the ex date and the record date logically come before the dividend payment date. They will usually precede it by weeks or even months. So if your Dividend Periods are short (e.g., monthly), it is quite likely that the ex date and record date will fall in an earlier Dividend Period then the dividend payment date.
If you elected Ex Amount or Record Amount, this would mean your equity swap would pay its Dividend Amount before the underlying share paid its actual dividend.
Spoiler: that’s stupid.
The point of a derivative is to replicate, as closely as possible, the economics of its reference asset. Not only does electing Ex Amount or Record Amount introduce arbitrary[1] timing “basis” between the derivative and its underlying security, it also potentially introduces credit “basis”, because an underlying issuer which has declared a dividend may not ultimately be able to pay it — if it has become insolvent in the meantime, which could be a period of months. Now some timing basis between a derivative and its underlying is inevitable — the derivative payment will lag the underlying payment — but credit basis is certainly not. Derivatives are not meant to guarantee the performance of the underlying securities they reference[2]. In fact, that is utterly antithetical to the very definition of the word “derivative”.
- ↑ arbitrary because it is totally dependent on whether the ex date falls in the same Dividend Period as the actual payment date, which in turn will be a function of the registrar’s schedule and nothing to do with the Issuer.
- ↑ Okay I realise that seems not to be true for credit derivatives. But even there, the credit protection “buyer” is effectively short the derivative exposure. It is simply confused because in the classic case, the protection “seller” was an investor buying a CDO which is an instrument which securitises a short credit derivative.