• An inflationary zero-coupon swap (ZCIS) is a type of inflationary derivative in which an income stream linked to inflation is exchanged for an income stream with a fixed interest rate.

  • Under ZCIS, both streams of income are paid in a lump sum when the swap reaches maturity and the inflation rate is known, instead of exchanging periodic payments.
  • As inflation rises, the buyer of inflation receives more from the seller of inflation than he paid.
  • Conversely, if inflation falls, the buyer of inflation receives from the seller of inflation less than what he paid.