Description: This article questions the validity of long term market return expectations using macroeconomics and analytical arguments.

Description: This presentation is a Teaching Session, number 29TS, from the 2002 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held September 19-20 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The panelists describe the three basic types of credit derivatives: total return swaps, credit default swaps, and credit spread options. They discuss techniques used to price credit derivatives, accounting and required capital treatment, the size and growth of the credit derivative market in the U.S., Canada, and globally, and early experience and performance of credit derivatives in an actual default case. Discussion from participants is included.