Company X issues variable-rate debt but wishes to fix its interest rates because it believes the variable rate may increase. Company Y has a fixed-rate bond but is looking for a variable-rate interest because it assumes the interest rates may decrease. The two companies agree to exchange cash flows. Such an arrangement is called:

c) a swap

Explanation:

A Swap is a type of Derivative that involves two parties exchanging the cash-flows or even liabilities that they are getting from their different instruments.

Traditionally, Swaps are usually for cash-flows based on debt instruments like bonds, but as a derivative, the underlying instrument can be anything in the financial market.

Company X and Y exchanging cash-flows is a Swap.