What the rise in swap rates show more than anything else is heightened risk aversion and the damage done to rate cut expectations by the abrupt ratcheting up of tensions in the Middle East. On Friday, the one-year Overnight Index Swap (OIS) rate climbed 5 basis points to a high of 6.93%, having registered a rise of 14 basis points since April 5 and more than 30 basis points from February 2.