Print

US derivatives plans spark doubt on CDS

A US legislative plan to regulate the near-$600,000bn market in OTC derivatives suggests that lawmakers debate the idea of banning so-called “naked credit default swaps”, which allow investors to speculate on the creditworthiness of companies. The proposal by key congressional committees would push most derivatives on to an exchange or clearing house but leaves open the issue of whether to outlaw CDSs, in which the buyer does not own the underlying asset.

Print