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.
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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.
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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

a.  Arbitrage is the process of simultaneous purchase or sale of the same financial asset in an attempt to profit by exploiting the price differences on different markets in different forms.

b.  Whenever similar assets or a combination of assets are selling for different prices in separate markets, arbitrageurs step in and buy the lower priced asset and sell the higher-priced asset, till the time the price converges.

c.  Arbitrage helps in determining prices and establishing the law of one price (i.e. two securities that generate the same cash flows, regardless of future events should have the same price today). They thus help in improving the market efficiency.

 

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