Part 1: Equity Derivatives - A Beginner's GuideWhat are derivatives?
Basic interpretation : something which is based on another source.
A derivative is a contract or product whose value derives from the value of the base asset. The base asset is called the underlying asset.
i.e., Sugar prices will rise if sugarcane prices increase due to low production. It means sugarcane is the underlying asset of sugar because the value of sugar is associated with sugarcane.
There is a broad range of underlying assets:
Metals: lead, gold, silver, copper, zinc, nickel, tin, etc.
Energy: coal, natural gas, etc.
Agri commodities: corn, cotton, pulses, wheat, sugar, etc.
Financial assets: Stocks, bonds, forex, etc.
There are two types of derivatives:
1. Exchange-traded: A standardized derivative contract, listed and traded on an organized exchange.
2. Over-the-counter/off-exchange trading/pink sheet trading:
A derivative product in which counterparties buy or sell a contract or product at a negotiated price without exchange
Instruments of derivatives market:
There are four instruments in the derivatives market:
1. Forward:
Forward is a non-standard agreement or agreement between two parties that allows you to buy/sell the asset at the agreed price for a pre-decided date of the contract.
Forwards are negotiated between two pirates, so the terms and conditions of the contract are customized.
These are called over-the-counter(OTC).
2. Future:
Future contracts are similar to forwarding contracts, but the deal is made through an organized and regulated exchange rather than negotiated between two counterparties.
A futures contract is an exchange-traded forward contract.
3. Options:
A derivative contract that gives the right but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a stated strike price on or before a specified date.
Buyers of options- Pays the premium and buys the right
Sellers of options - Receives the premium with the obligation to buy/sell underlying assets.
4. Swap:
A swap is a derivative contract between two counterparties to exchange for the cash flows or liabilities from two different financial instruments.
It is an introduction article. I will cover all these topics in detail.
Swap helps participants manage risk associated with volatility risk interest rate, currency exchange rates, & commodity prices.
Index:
Index = Portfolio of securities
An Index shows how investors experience the economy. Is it progressing or not?
A Stock market index gathers data from a variety of companies of industries. The data forms an overall picture and helps investors compare market performance through past and current prices.
Financial indices represent the price movement of bonds, shares, Treasury Bills, etc.
Importance of Index:
1. An index is an indication of a specific sector or gross market.
2. It helps investors to pick the right stock
3. An index is a statistical indicator. It represents an overall change or part of a change in the economy.
4. In OTC & exchange-traded markets, It used as an underlying asset for derivatives trading
5. An index helps to measure for evaluation of portfolio performance.
6. Portfolio managers use indices as investment benchmarks.
7. Index illustrates investor sentiments.
Types of index:
There are four classifications for indices:
Equal Weighted Index:
Each company is given the same weightage in the composition of this index. Equal-weighted indexes are more diversified than market capitalization-weighted indexes. This index focuses on value investing.
Free-float index:
In finance, equity divides into different among various stakeholders like promoters, institutions, corporates, individuals, etc.
A tradable stake for trading is called a free-float share.
i.g, If XYZ company has issued 5 lakh shares with the face value of Rs 10, but of these, 2 lakh shares are owned by the promoter, then the free-float market capitalization is Rs 30 lakh.
Free-float market capitalization: Free-floating shares * Price of shares
Index: BSE SENSEX
Market capitalization-weighted index:
In this index, each stock is given weightage according to its market capitalization.
High market cap = High weightage
Low market cap = low weightage
Market Cap= Current market price * total number of outstanding shares
i. e, if XYZ company has 1,000,000 outstanding shares and a market price of 55 rs per share will have a market capitalization of 55,000,000.
Index: Nifty 50
Price Weighted Index:
High price = More weightage
Low price = Low weightage
Popular price-weighted index: Dow Jones industrial average & Nikkei 225
I will upload the second part soon.
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Money_Dictators
Equitytrading
Correlation between FX and Equities! (Chicken or the Egg?)Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Traders all over the globe are constantly looking for an edge, something that's going to give them an extra indication on market directional movements prior to them unfolding. I know from personal experiences and from chatting people at the firm that many traders lean towards finding correlation between the equities market and the FX market. There are a lot of analysts out there that say the equities market is what moves the FX market, and in return there are a lot of people that say the FX market is what moves the equities market.
So, which one is it?
Reality is will never know. There have been many of times where the FX market and shows clear indication of direction and then about a day later or a few hours later we have the equities follow suit. For example the RBA's recent decision to hike interest rates by .25% instead of 0.5% sent the Aussie dollar down, but when you move over to the AUS200 or look at General Equities in the ASX, you'll see that they had their biggest day in 2.5 years.
Then there are times, and this is more into day trading, where the indices in the equities movements tend to correlate well moving into the FX markets.
So there is evidence to support both sides. Not ideal.
It goes without saying that correlation between equities and FX is slowly starting to fade as volumes kick up since we are in the technologically advanced era. But, what is or was the correlation and how does it work?
The basic theory (aged) is that when equity markets rise, confidence in that specific country grows well, leading to an inflow of funds from foreign investors. Therefore, equities go up, FX value goes up. It's simple supply and demand when you look at it. If the equities are going up and you're a foreign investor and you want to buy into those equities, it creates demand for holding, let's say, the US dollar if I wanted to buy into the S&P 500.
On the flip side, when the equity markets are falling. Then confidence falters, causing investors to convert their invested funds back to their own currencies outside of that country.
This is a general theory and I don't recommend basing any of your trading decisions on this, because if you actually have a look at the charts and the correlation, you'll notice that recently it's not been too hot. While you do get a general directional bias, one tends to move before the other and they tend to be quite random in which one goes first. If you have the ability or the skill to be able to work out when something is correlating and when something isn't, then for sure I think you'll be able to find an edge in the market trading some kind of correlation between equities and FX.
One correlation I have seen to be quiet useful in recent times is the S&P 500 And the Nikkei. Although in the Asian session the Nikkei is open in the S&P 500 isn't. Usually you see the S&P move and the Nikkei follow suit. Keep an eye on that correlation and tell me if you find any patterns.
As a whole, trading correlations can give you an edge in the market. It can provide you with valuable information when it comes to trading, whether you are trading FX or trading Equities. But it's not as simple as it seems. It will take more diving and understanding the markets on a deeper level to know when their correlating and to know when to ignore.
I hope you guys have enjoyed this article. If so, please give us a like leave and a comment. It does help the post a fair bit and I'll see you next week for some more content. Happy Trading!
-Jordon Mellor
What is equity ?What Is Equity ?
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In stock market parlance, equity and stocks are often used interchangeably. Stocks and equity are same, as both represent the ownership in an entity (company) and are traded on the stock exchanges. Equity by definition means ownership of assets after the debt is paid off. Stock generally refers to traded equity.
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