Repurchase agreements are a form of trading agreement in which a company agrees to buy a commodity from another company at a pre-determined price for a specified period of time. Repurchase agreements are commonly used in the commodity markets to ensure a consistent supply of a particular commodity. They are also commonly used in the financial markets to provide an additional form of liquidity for a company by allowing them to borrow funds against the commodity.
Repurchase agreements are characterized by several key features. First and foremost is the nature of the agreement itself. Repurchase agreements are legally binding contracts between two parties – a “seller” and a “buyer” – wherein one party agrees to repurchase a certain asset from another party at a predetermined price on a specific date. The buyer agrees to buy the asset at the price stated in the agreement; the seller agrees to resell it to the buyer at the same price. Repurchase agreements are normally found in the commodities, currencies and financial markets, with the most common being those relating to commodities.
The second feature of a repurchase agreement is the collateral provided. Often, the buyer will put up an amount of money as collateral for the purchase, to be returned upon the completion of the contract. This amount is secured by some form of guarantee such as a letter of credit, escrow or other form of assurance from the buyer or from a third party.
The third feature of repurchase agreements is the time frame in which both parties must abide by the agreement. Repurchase agreements are generally negotiated so that both parties are able to predict and anticipate the asset’s purchase and sale price over a defined period. This period of time varies depending on the market and type of asset, but is typically no more than three months in the commodities market.
The fourth feature of a repurchase agreement is the interests which the parties gain from their involvement. The buyer of the asset earns interest on the amount they purchase while they hold it (the price appreciation of the asset), while the seller enjoys the returns from the sale of the asset at the agreed upon price.
Finally, while repurchase agreement involve a lot of protocol and paperwork, they create an efficient and cost effective method of trading/transacting/buying commodities. Repurchase agreements also provide a company with access to portfolios of different commodities, allowing them to diversify their holdings and even hedge their exposure to the market.
In conclusion, repurchase agreements offer a secure and cost effective method for companies to obtain liquidity, increase their purchasing power and mitigate their exposure to the markets. With the ability to vary the length of the agreement, parties involved in the repurchase agreement have the potential to garner profits within a short time period. Repurchase agreements also provide an easy and quick way for companies to access multiple commodity portfolios, reducing their exposure to the volatile commodity markets.