Derivatives Markets
A derivative is a type of investment that depends on the value of something else, like a stock or an index. It's not worth anything on its own but instead gets its value from the thing it's linked to. Continue Reading Below
About Derivatives Markets
A derivative is a type of investment that depends on the value of something else, like a stock or an index. It's not worth anything on its own but instead gets its value from the thing it's linked to. Derivatives include futures and options contracts, which are agreements to buy or sell a stock, commodity, or other asset at a certain price in the future. These types of investments are traded in the derivatives market.
Futures markets are places where people trade futures contracts. Futures contracts are standardized and regulated, and trades are settled and confirmed through a clearinghouse. Options markets are similar and trade options contracts, which give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a certain price. Futures and options markets trade contracts for different types of assets, like stocks, bonds, commodities, and so on.
