What is Derivative: Definition & Meaning Explained

Definition of Derivative

A derivative is a financial contract that is designed to derive its value from a single or group of underlying assets, generally between two parties or more. It contains a pre-agreed date of delivery and price.

The most common examples of a derivative contract are:

Futures
Options
Forwards
Swaps

A derivative can be bought and sold on an exchange or over the counter. Since derivatives derive value from underlying assets, their price is known to fluctuate when the underlying asset gains or loses value.

Cash Market

A cash market is a place where assets, goods, and services are bought and sold on the spot. That’s why it is also known as the “spot market”.

A stock market exchange like NSE or BSE is an example of a cash market as trades are settled on the spot at the spot price. Derivatives like futures are not a part of the cash market are trades are settled in the future.

Depository Participant

A depository participant is a financial institution that acts as a bridge between a depositories like NSDL/CDSL and investors. Moreover, a depository participant is responsible for holding shares in the Dematerialized format in a Demat account.

At the same time, a depository participant gives traders and investors access to an online trading account that can be used to buy and sell securities. The right depository participant will also ensure that your securities are safe.

Backtesting

Backtesting means simulating trading strategies and models using historical data to understand whether they are effective.

In many ways, backtesting is considered to be an important part of crafting trading strategies that work.

If backtesting leads to positive results, then the trading strategy or model may be viable.

Interest Rate Futures

Interest rate futures are derivative contracts whose underlying instrument is any instrument that bears interest.

Just like any other futures contract, interest rate futures also give the right and obligation to fulfil the terms of the contract on expiry.

The price of interest rate futures and the interest rate itself shares an inverse relationship. If interest rates move higher, then the futures will be less valuable.

Equity Share Capital

The total amount of money that is raised by a company through the issuance of shares is known as equity share capital. Shares issued could be classified as common or preferred shares, both of which are a part of the equity share capital.

In general, share capital is known to be the money raised by issuing shares. Companies have the option of raising more equity share capital by issuing additional shares through a Follow on Public Offer (FPO) or other financing methods.

Foreign Portfolio Investment

A Foreign Portfolio Investment includes stocks, bonds, ETFs, derivatives, and other financial instruments from another country. Generally, FPIs do not give an investor the right to ownership or a controlling stake in any organization. Instead, FPIs act as a passive income vehicle. That’s why FPIs are different to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in which an ownership stake is acquired with the intention of controlling and influencing business decisions.

*All securities mentioned on this website are exemplary and not recommendatory.

We are bullish on India, we are bullish on India's prospects to be one of the largest economies in the world. We believe that the stock market provides a unique opportunity for all of India's traders and investors to participate in the growth story of the country.

Yet, most investing & trading platforms in India have remained more or less the same over the past decade. Times have changed and retail traders and investors have become smarter about managing their trades and money. Modern traders & investors require an online trading platform that helps them keep up with the technological advancements of our time.

That's why we're building Dhan - to help you trade, to help you invest, and to help you participate in India's growth stock via the stock market with awesome features and an incredible experience.

We are doing so by giving you access to not just one but 6 products within the Dhan ecosystem:

Dhan App: The only online trading app you need for buying and selling equity, futures, options, commodity, and currency.
Dhan Web: Trade on the big screen across segments with our web trading platform.
Options Trader App: A dedicated option trading app built for India's F&O traders.
Options Trader Web: Love big screens and F&O trading? Use our web option trading platform.
Dhan + TradingView: The magic of Tradingview charts for free with the Lightning-Fast experience of Dhan on tv.dhan.co.
Connect to TradingView: Our Tradingview broker integration allows you to trade in Stocks, Futures, and Commodities directly from tradingview.com via Dhan.

This means that with Dhan, you'll be able to start:

Lakhs of users already trust Dhan for their online stock trading and investing needs. Dhan is growing rapidly because of the love we receive from SuperTraders and Long-Term Investors who acknowledge that the platform is innovating for them, building super useful features that help them do everything from investing in stock market to trading F&O like a pro on the Tradingview charts and much more.

While we are growing, we will always remember why we started building in the first place - you. Our user-first approach will always be at the heart of our philosophy. Come join us on this incredible journey!

Try it out, you can close your account at anytime using this link.

SEBI Stock Broker Registration No: INZ000006031 | Depository Participant (CDSL) ID: IN-DP-289-2016
Exchange Membership No. : NSE: 90133 | BSE: 6593 | MCX: 56320
Registered Office: 302, The Western Edge I, Off Western Express Highway, Borivali East, Mumbai - 400066, Maharashtra, India.
Corporate Office: 302, The Western Edge I, Off Western Express Highway, Borivali East, Mumbai - 400066, Maharashtra, India. Customer Care: 9987761000.

Details of client bank account

For any query / feedback / clarifications, email at help@dhan.co.

In case of grievances for any of the services rendered by Moneylicious Securities Private Limited, please write to grievance@dhan.co (for NSE, BSE and MCX) or grievancedp@dhan.co (for Depository Participant). Please ensure that you carefully read the Risk Disclosure Document as prescribed by SEBI, our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Compliance Officer: Mr. Manish Garg and Mobile: 8655740961 Email: complianceofficer@dhan.co To lodge your complaints using SEBI SCORES, click here.

Disclaimer: All communications with the client in the chat section are for support purposes only, and any commitments or statements made by the agent (human or virtual) shall not be binding on the company.

DHAN is a brand owned by Moneylicious Securities Private Limited. All DHAN clients are registered under Moneylicious Securities Private Limited. Clients are advised to refer to our company as Moneylicious Securities Private Limited when communicating with regulatory authorities.

Procedure to file a complaint on SEBI SCORES: Register on SCORES portal. Mandatory details for filing complaints on SCORES: Name, PAN, Address, Mobile Number, E-mail ID. Benefits: Effective Communication, Speedy redressal of the grievances

Disclaimer: Investment in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. Brokerage will not exceed the SEBI prescribed limit

Attention investors:

Stock brokers can accept securities as margins from clients only by way of pledge in the depository system w.e.f September 01, 2020.
Update your e-mail and phone number with your stock broker / depository participant and receive OTP directly from depository on your e-mail and/or mobile number to create pledge.
Check your securities / MF / bonds in the consolidated account statement issued by NSDL/CDSL every month.

Note: As a policy we do not give stock tips or recommendations and have not authorized anyone to give this on behalf of us. If you know anyone claiming to be a part of Dhan / Moneylicious / Raise or our associate companies or partners and offering such services, please report us on help@dhan.co. Important Information for Investors: To prevent unauthorized transactions in your trading / demat account, do not share your account details, credentials or any personal details with anyone. Keep your mobile number updated with your Stock Broker, Depository Participant and ensure that the same is registered with Stock Exchanges, Depository and KRAs. You will receive alerts and information on your registered mobile number / email for debit and other important transactions in your demat account directly from CDSL / Exchange on the same day. KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (Stock Broker, DP, Mutual Fund, etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary. No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account. This is issued in the interest of investors.

Moneylicious Securities Private Limited also known as Dhan is only an order collection platform that collects orders on behalf of clients and places them on BSE StarMF for execution. Client expressly agrees that Dhan is not liable or responsible and does not represent or warrant any damages regarding non- execution of orders or any incorrect execution of orders with regard to the funds chosen by the client or due to, but not being limited to, any link/system failure, delay in transfer of the funds on account of any unforeseen circumstances/issues in the banking system/payment aggregators or any other problems that may result in a delay in crediting the funds into the BSE Star MF's bank account.

Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully before investing. Dhan is not a distributor or agent of any mutual fund. Mutual Funds are not exchange-traded products. Any related disputes will not have access to the Exchange-investor redressal forum or arbitration mechanism. For other disclaimers please refer https://dhan.co/advertisement-disclaimer/

Download client registration documents (Rights & Obligations, Risk Disclosure Document, Do's & Don'ts) in vernacular language: BSE | NSE | MCX

Kindly, read the Advisory Guidelines of BSE | NSE | MCX for investors as prescribed by the exchange with reference to their circular dated 27th August, 2021 regarding investor awareness and safeguarding client's assets

Derivative