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Asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) is a short-term investment vehicle that is backed by a pool of receivables. This means it derives its value from a collection of financial assets, such as loans, accounts receivable, or other cash flow-generating assets. When investors buy ABCP, they are essentially purchasing a claim to the cash flows generated by these underlying assets.

This structure offers several advantages. First, it allows entities to raise funds based on the credit quality of the underlying receivables, which can often be more favorable than the issuer's credit rating alone. Additionally, by pooling various receivables, the risk is diversified among many different sources of cash flow, making it more appealing to investors.

The reliance on a pool of receivables distinguishes ABCP from other financial instruments that rely on government guarantees, specific technologies, or foreign currency fluctuations, which do not play a role in the valuation or functioning of ABCP.