A Credit Default Swap (CDS) primarily provides what type of financial protection?

A Credit Default Swap (CDS) is a financial derivative that allows an investor to "swap" or transfer the risk of credit default from one party to another. In essence, it acts as a form of insurance against the risk that a borrower will default on their debt obligations. When one party buys a CDS, they pay a premium to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for a promise that the protection seller will compensate them if the underlying credit instrument default occurs. This setup is specifically designed to mitigate the risk associated with credit events such as bankruptcy or failure to pay.

The other options refer to different types of financial risks. Currency fluctuations pertain to the risks associated with changes in exchange rates, interest rate changes deal with fluctuations in the overall market rates that affect the cost of borrowing, and insurance for equity positions relates to the protection against declines in the value of equity investments. Each of these is a distinct area of risk management and does not align with the primary function of a CDS, which is focused exclusively on credit risk and default.