Broadly speaking a swaption is similar to a a cap or a floor in that it consists of a series of options.
Difference between cap and floor option.
The difference between the strike price and the boundaries is known as the cap interval.
An interest rate floor is an agreed upon rate in the lower range of rates associated with a floating rate loan product.
Cap rate or strike rate.
While this boundary limits the profit potential for the holder it comes at a reduced cost.
An interest rate cap is a derivative in which the buyer receives payments at the end of each period in which the interest rate exceeds the agreed strike price an example of a cap would be an agreement to receive a payment for each month the libor rate exceeds 2 5.
Payoff rule for a typical cap each payment date the cap pays the difference if positive between a floating index rate and the cap rate.
Caps are either offered over the counter by dealers or embedded in a security.
Like other options the buyer will pay a premium to purchase the option so the buyer faces credit risk.
However the individual caplets and floorlets.
They are most frequently taken out for periods of between 2 and 5 years although this can vary considerably.