Course Content
DERIVATIVE MARKETS AND INSTRUMENTS
This chapter is covered under study session 19, reading 48 of the study material as provided by the CFA Institute. After reading this chapter, the candidate should be able to: a. define a derivative and distinguish between exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives; b. contrast forward commitments with contingent claims; c. define forward contracts, futures contracts, options (calls and puts), swaps, and credit derivatives and compare their basic characteristics; d. determine the value at expiration and profit from a long or a short position in a call or put option; e. describe purposes of, and controversies related to, derivative markets; and f. explain arbitrage and the role it plays in determining prices and promoting market efficiency.
0/6
Introduction
LOS A: Derivatives
LOS B and C: Commitments Vs. Contingent Claims
LOS D: Value at Expiration and Profit for Call and Put Options
LOS E: Purposes/ Controversies Related to Derivatives Market
LOS F: Arbitrage
BASICS OF DERIVATIVE PRICING AND VALUATION
This chapter is covered under study session 16, reading 49 of the study material as provided by the CFA institute. After reading this chapter, the candidate should be able to: a. explain how the concepts of arbitrage, replication, and risk neutrality are used in pricing derivatives; b. distinguish between value and price of forward and futures contracts; c. explain how the value and price of a forward contract are determined at expiration, during the life of the contract, and at initiation; d. describe monetary and nonmonetary benefits and costs associated with holding the underlying asset and explain how they affect the value and price of a forward contract; e. define a forward rate agreement and describe its uses; f. explain why forward and futures prices differ; g. explain how swap contracts are similar to but different from a series of forward contracts; h. distinguish between the value and price of swaps; i. explain how the value of a European option is determined at expiration; j. explain the exercise value, time value, and moneyness of an option; k. identify the factors that determine the value of an option and explain how each factor affects the value of an option; l. explain put–call parity for European options; m. explain put–call–forward parity for European options; n. explain how the value of an option is determined using a one-period binomial model; o. explain under which circumstances the values of European and American options differ.
0/12
Introduction
LOS A: Pricing of Derivatives
LOS B, C, D, and E: Difference Between Value and Price of Forward & Future Contract
LOS F: Forward Rate Agreement
LOS G: Reasons for Differences in the Forward and Future Prices
LOS H and I: Swaps
LOS J: Option Value
LOS K: Effect on Valuation
LOS L: Put-Call Parity
LOS M: Put-Call-Forward Parity
LOS N: Binomial Model
LOS O: European Vs. American Option
Derivatives
About Lesson

The derivatives can be defined as the financial instruments whose returns are derived from underlying assets. In other words, their performance depends on the movement of underlying assets such as commodities, financial instruments, indices, exchange rates, interest rates, and so on.

Historically, after the collapse of the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1973, where the U.S. suspended the dollar’s convertibility into gold, there was a sharp increase in the volatility of exchange rates and interest rates. Around the same time, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) launched the first exchange-traded future. Later in 1975, the interest rate futures started trading in Government Nation Mortgage – Certificate of deposits Rollover (GNMA-CDRs) on Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and on T-Bill in CME. This can be considered as the beginning of the modern-day derivative market.

In this chapter, we would try and understand the meaning of derivatives and its markets, the basic mechanism through which it operates, its purpose, and how it helps in promoting market efficiency.

Previous
Next