What are Derivatives?
5paisa Research Team
Last Updated: 26 Aug, 2024 04:36 PM IST
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Content
- Derivatives
- Derivatives Definition
- How do derivatives work?
- What Are The Types of Derivatives?
- How to Trade Derivatives?
- Advantages of Derivatives
- Disadvantages of Derivatives
- A Demat Account is All Your Need to Trade Derivatives
- Examples of Derivatives
Derivatives
Derivatives are instrumental in India's financial markets. They are essentially contracts between two parties, and their value is based on an underlying asset. With proper management, derivatives can lead to considerable profits, but they are not without risks, requiring significant understanding of how they work.
In this article, we will break down what are derivatives, explain derivatives meaning , and highlight the advantages they can offer.
Derivatives Definition
Derivatives are financial contracts, which are traded on formal exchanges or in over-the-counter (OTC) markets. This financial instrument derives its value from a group of assets or specific underlying assets. They can take the form of options, futures contracts, swaps, or forwards, with their prices closely tied to changes in these underlying assets. Derivatives serve a variety of purposes and can be used to fine-tune existing positions and speculate on the future movements of underlying assets. Participants in the world of derivatives include hedgers, speculators, margin traders, and arbitrageurs, each engaging in these financial tools to meet their distinct objectives.
How do derivatives work?
Now that you know derivatives meaning in stock market, it is equally important to understand how they work. Derivatives gain their value from underlying assets or securities and operate through two key methods including Over-the-Counter (OTC) and exchange-traded. OTC derivatives involve privately negotiated contracts, which is between two parties and offers flexibility and customization. Exchange-traded derivatives, on the other hand, are standardised contracts traded on organised futures exchanges, providing transparency and accessibility to a broader market. The core principle of derivatives is risk transfer, allowing individuals and businesses to manage and hedge against price fluctuations and other financial uncertainties.
What Are The Types of Derivatives?
Although there are many types of derivatives, the following four types are the most commonly traded in the market:
Futures
A futures contract refers to an agreement between the buyer and seller of an underlying asset. The buyer decides to buy an asset at a predetermined price on the contract execution date, and the seller agrees to sell the asset on the contract execution date. Futures is an obligatory contract, meaning the buyer and seller must honour the contract.
Options
Like futures, options refer to derivative contracts that take place between buyers and sellers. But, unlike futures, options contracts are a right and not an obligation, meaning both parties can exit the contract at any time. However, if an investor wants to exercise their rights, they can do so. The option seller is also known as the option writer, and the specified price agreed by both parties is referred to as the strike price.
Forwards
Forwards are much like a futures contract. Here, the holder of the contract is obligated to honour the contract. But, unlike futures and options, forwards are not traded on stock exchanges and are unstandardised. Investors buy forwards through over-the-counter deals. Also, the buyers and sellers of forwards can customise the contract.
Swaps
Like forwards, swaps are not traded through stock exchanges and happen through over-the-counter deals between financial institutions and businesses. In swaps, the cash flow depends on a notional principal amount and not real principal. Swaps generally take place in the currency segment of stock exchanges. Now that you know of the various types of derivatives, learn about the benefits of derivative trading in the following section.
How to Trade Derivatives?
To kickstart your journey into trading derivatives and reap the benefits, here are the steps that you need to follow:
1. After getting familiar with the derivatives meaning in finance, set up an online trading account. This can be done directly or through a broker. This account allows you to place orders via phone or online.
2. When you start trading derivatives, you'll need to commit a margin amount. This margin remains locked until the contract concludes, and if it falls below the minimum requirement, you'll receive a margin call to rebalance it.
3. Ensure you have a solid grasp of the underlying asset. Keep your budget in check, ensuring it covers margin requirements, available cash, and contract prices.
4. Stay invested in the contract until it reaches its conclusion. Consistency and informed decision-making are key throughout the trading process.
Advantages of Derivatives
The advantages of derivatives include the following:
● Hedging Risks
Several hedging strategies are available for reducing risk in an individual's investment by making another investment, and derivatives are the best option for it. Derivatives act as insurance policies for risk management.
● Low Transaction Cost
Trading in the derivatives market requires low transaction costs compared to shares, bonds, or other securities. Since derivatives serve as risk management tools, they guarantee low-cost transactions.
Disadvantages of Derivatives
The disadvantages of derivatives are as follows:
● High Risk
Derivatives derive their value from underlying assets. Therefore, price movements in these assets can impact these contracts. The prices of underlying assets like shares and bonds have high volatility and unpredictability.
● Speculative
Derivatives are often used for speculation to gain profits. Due to the unpredictability of the market, speculation is highly risky and can lead to massive losses.
A Demat Account is All Your Need to Trade Derivatives
5paisa makes derivatives trading as easy as ABC. Visit the 5paisa website to open a free Demat and trading account and start trading instantly. You can also access the educational resources published by 5paisa to sharpen your trading skills and make bigger profits.
Examples of Derivatives
After knowing what are derivatives, you should know what are derivatives and their types. The different types of derivatives with examples are as follows:
● Forwards
Forwards are customised agreements between two parties to purchase or sell an asset, product, or commodity at a fixed price at a later date. These are not traded on central exchanges but rather over the counter, and they are not regulated to be controlled. As a result, it is largely effective for hedging and risk reduction, even though it can't offer huge profits.
● Futures
Futures are quite similar to forwards. But since they cannot be traded on exchanges, they are standardised and regulated.
● Options
Options offer the buyer or seller the right to buy or sell a financial asset or security. But they are not legally obligated to go ahead with the buy or sell at the predetermined time. In case of volatility in the market, option contracts can reduce risk in the future.
● Swaps
Swaps are financial derivatives used for exchanging one cash flow with another. The swaps contracts are private bindings between parties and are traded over the counter.
Derivatives trading presents a unique avenue for managing risk and pursuing financial gains. The steps we've discussed, from understanding what is derivatives trading to setting up your trading account and exercising patience, provide a solid foundation. However, it's crucial to recognize that while these steps offer a starting point, ongoing learning and prudent risk management are essential for success in the world of derivatives. With these fundamental principles in mind, you can venture into derivative trading with confidence, potentially achieving your financial objectives.
More About Derivatives Trading Basics
- Notional Value
- Guidance to Futures and Options Trading in the Stock Market
- Covered Call
- What Is Put Writing?
- Delta Hedging
- Credit Spread
- Currency Options
- Options Hedging Strategy
- Options And Futures: Understand The Functioning, Types and Other Factors
- Options Trading for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide For You
- Best Options Trading Courses: Things To Know About
- Short Strangle: How Does It Work In 2023
- Butterfly Option Strategy
- Options Selling
- What Are Stock Options: A Complete Guide 2023
- What is the Call and Put Option?
- What are Futures and Options?
- What is Implied Volatility?
- Open Interest in Options
- What is Strike Price?
- What Is a Call Option?
- What is a Put Option?
- How to Choose Best Stocks for Option Trading?
- Options Trading Tips
- How to Trade Options?
- Types of Options
- Understanding Various Options Trading Strategies
- What are Options?
- What is Put-Call Ratio?
- What is Margin Money?
- What is an Open Interest?
- Call Options Basics and How it Works?
- The Simplest Guide to Futures Pricing Formula
- What are Bullish Option Strategies?
- What are the Various Types of Derivatives?
- What is Bermuda Option?
- What are Swaps Derivatives?
- What is an Index Call? Overview of Index Call Options
- What is Forward Market?
- What is Option Volatility & Pricing Strategies for Advanced Trading
- What is Settlement Procedure?
- What is Margin Funding?
- Derivatives Trading in India
- Difference Between Equity and Derivatives
- What are Currency Derivatives?
- Derivatives Advantages & Disadvantages
- What are Forward Contracts?
- Difference Between Forward and Futures Contract
- How to Trade in Futures and Options?
- What is Meant by Futures in Trading?
- Stock Index Futures
- Stocks vs Futures
- What Are Exchange Traded Derivatives?
- Futures Contract: Meaning, Definition, Pros & Cons
- What is Options Trading?
- What is Derivative Trading?
- What is Futures Trading?
- What are Derivatives?
- Straddle Strategy
- Options Strategies
- Hedging Strategy
- Difference Between Options and Futures
- Derivatives Trading Strategies Read More
Disclaimer: Investment in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. For detailed disclaimer please Click here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Derivatives can lead to counterparty risks along with inherent leverage risks. Moreover, derivatives contracts can also lead to systemic risks.
Futures are a form of derivatives. Futures are considered derivatives because their value is derived from the underlying deliverable asset.
Derivatives are extremely risky, and the risk of the other party defaulting on the agreement is quite high. But derivatives are also necessary for investors to control their risk in a volatile market.
While derivatives are valuable for risk management, trading them involves risks, including market volatility, connectivity problems, counterparty risk, and liquidity issues. It's essential to be aware of these factors when considering derivative investments.
In India, the derivative market is overseen and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), ensuring a transparent and well-regulated trading environment.
Counterparty risk in derivatives pertains to the possibility that the other party in a transaction may not fulfil their obligations, potentially leading to a default on the contract, resulting in financial losses. It's a crucial consideration in derivative trading.