September 19th, 2005, 7:18 am
TARN = TArget Redemption NoteA typical structure may be:Semi annual paying note - mat 10 years, target 12%.1st Year pay 8%2nd year onwards - if 6m Libor < 3% at fix date, pay 3% else pay zero.Once cumulative life to date coupon hits target note redeems. If this never happens then redeem at maturity (and may or may not make up coupon to target level at that point).Typically barrier will be set so forwards would imply note redeems quickly - but only just (say rate needs to move up 25bps before barrier is hit). Buyer is selling option on 6m Libor which can look very binary.Rationale is buyer gets above market coupon in exchange for selling issuer a big option.I presume MJ means correlation between libors as evolution of term structure matters.