Metro do Porto an interest rate swap ESSAY

Metro do Porto an interest rate swap

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n January 2007, Metro do Porto, a light rail network, entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Banco Santander Totta on a notional principal of €89 million. The intent was to reduce the interest costs that Metro do Porto was incurring. This was a complex swap agreement that brought immediate benefits to Metro do Porto but proved catastrophic in the long run. Two years after the swap commenced, a “snowball clause” in the swap agreement took effect, increasing Metro do Porto’s liability beyond 60 per cent per annum at a time when market interest rates were low and expected to drop even lower. It was unclear whether the company entered into this agreement out of ignorance, political pressure, or both, but the end result was a lawsuit. Students are expected to analyze the terms of this swap and decide whether the swap constituted good practice from a risk management perspective and whether Metro do Porto should have been able to anticipate the possible losses.

Case questions to guide your analysis:

1. Analyze the swap structure and comment on whether MdP entered into a speculative transaction or one designed to reduce risk

2. Compute MdP’s net cash flow on the payment dates

3. What might motivate company executives and bankers to enter into such contracts?

4. Prepare a Monte Carlo Simulation of the swap structure to evaluate the “reasonableness” of entering into this swap.

5. Suggest methods to reduce the risk of derivatives mishaps in companies.

Distinguished

(100%)

Proficient

(85%)

Basic

(70%)

Below Expectations

(50%)

Non-Performance

(0%)

Thesis Statement

Raises the strongest objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is strongly grounded in research and logical reasoning.

Raises a plausible objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is mostly grounded in research and logical reasoning.

Raises an objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is somewhat grounded in research and logical reasoning.

Attempts to raise an objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is minimally grounded in research and logical reasoning.

The objection to the thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Counter Argument

Provides a strong, thorough rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal effectively demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and applies the principles of charity and accuracy.

Provides a rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal mostly demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and mostly applies the principles of charity and accuracy.

Provides a limited rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal somewhat demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and somewhat applies the principles of charity and accuracy.

Attempts to provide a rebuttal to the objection; however, the rebuttal minimally demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and does not apply the principles of charity and accuracy.

The rebuttal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Conclusion

– Provides clear and concise closing remarks that comprehensively summarize the essay. The remarks consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem.

Provides closing remarks that summarize the essay. The remarks mostly consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem. The closing remarks are somewhat unclear.

Provides closing remarks that minimally summarizes the essay. The remarks minimally consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problems. The closing remarks are unclear and/or vague.

Attempts to provide closing remarks that summarize the essay, however, the remarks do not consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem. The closing remarks are unclear and vague.

The closing remarks are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Written Communication: Context of and Purpose for Writing

Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Organization and presentation of content are extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.