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Finance GlossaryFutures and Options
Futures and Options
Definition of Futures and Options
Futures and options are derivative contracts that derive their value from one or more underlying financial securities like stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, and commodities.
Every futures and options contract contains an expiration date and a price for the underlying that’s pre-agreed. Futures are a right and an obligation whereas options are a right but not an obligation to exercise the terms of the contract.
Every futures and options contract contains an expiration date and a price for the underlying that’s pre-agreed. Futures are a right and an obligation whereas options are a right but not an obligation to exercise the terms of the contract.
Related Terms
Equity Capital Markets
Equity capital markets (ECMs) are a place where companies raise money by offering equity shares to financial firms, institutional investors, and retail investors.
Fund raising of this kind is often done through private placements or Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the primary market, which is a part of the ECM. The biggest IPOs in India are all part of the ECM.
The equity capital market is also a place where shares, futures, options, and other financial instruments are traded. This part of the ECM is known as the secondary market. The stock market is a popular example of an ECM.
Fund raising of this kind is often done through private placements or Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the primary market, which is a part of the ECM. The biggest IPOs in India are all part of the ECM.
The equity capital market is also a place where shares, futures, options, and other financial instruments are traded. This part of the ECM is known as the secondary market. The stock market is a popular example of an ECM.
Rights Issue
A rights issue is a common type of corporate action. When rights are issued, the existing shareholders of a company get the option to buy additional shares at a discounted price. In the process, the company raises fresh capital that it uses for different purposes. Some of the common uses of issuing rights include capital for expansion, reducing debt, or creating a working capital. Shareholders have the option to subscribe, ignore, or sell their rights, depending on the structure of the issue.
Lock In
Lock-in is the period during which you can not sell shares or other financial instruments. The purpose of a lock-in is to ensure that the price and liquidity of the instrument do not take a sudden nosedive. Lock-in is commonly applied to shares held by promoters or major shareholders. You may have heard the term while investing in mutual funds as well, where it is used in reference to close-ended funds and ELSS funds.
Hedging
Hedging is a risk management technique where potential loss is offset by securing a safer, more stable trade. For example, buying stock (risky) and offsetting the risk with commodity (stable) is a common hedging practice in the securities market.
In the derivatives market, hedging is followed by merchants and businesses who want to protect against adverse price movements in commodities or currencies. They do so by entering into a futures or options contract.
In the derivatives market, hedging is followed by merchants and businesses who want to protect against adverse price movements in commodities or currencies. They do so by entering into a futures or options contract.
Market Capitalization
Market Capitalization (or Market Cap) is the total value of a company in the stock market. It is calculated by multiplying the total number of outstanding shares by the current share price. For example, if a company has 1 crore shares priced at ₹100, its market capitalisation is ₹100 crore.
Foreign Direct Investment
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is the act of acquiring a majority stake in a company located in a different country with the intention of assisting, growing, and managing the business.
FDIs and FPIs may seem similar but there is a major difference - lasting interest. When a company or investor obtains at least 10% control of foreign company with the intention of actively managing the business, it’s known as lasting interest.
A company that establishes a subsidiary in another country can also be classified as FDI. FDIs can also be made through mergers and acquisitions as well as collaborations with foreign companies
FDIs and FPIs may seem similar but there is a major difference - lasting interest. When a company or investor obtains at least 10% control of foreign company with the intention of actively managing the business, it’s known as lasting interest.
A company that establishes a subsidiary in another country can also be classified as FDI. FDIs can also be made through mergers and acquisitions as well as collaborations with foreign companies
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