FINA3203 01 Introduction
FINA3203 01 Introduction
FINA3203 01 Introduction
FINA 3203
Introduction to Derivatives
Course Overview
Forwards &
Futures
Market
Mechanics
Hedging
Strategies
Options
Pricing
Market
Mechanics
Properties
Trading
Strategies
Pricing
Binomial
Tree
Greeks
Black-Scholes
Other Derivatives
Warrants, CBBC
Swaps
Convertible
Bonds
Structured
Products
History of Derivatives
In Ancient Mesopotamia
(~1750 BC), contracts were
inscribed on clay tablets.
Mr. Farmer will sell to Mr.
Buyer a certain quantity of
grain for a specified price on a
future date. (forward)
Trading took place at the
temples (clearinghouse)
History of Derivatives
In Ancient Greece (~600 BC),
Thales predicted an unusually
large olive harvest, and he
paid a small deposit to
reserve the right, but not the
obligation, to rent all olive
presses in the region for a
pre-specified price for the
following autumn.
(call option)
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Science and Technology
Derivatives
Derivatives are contracts that derive their
value from something else:
commodities (agriculture, meat, metal, energy)
stocks, bonds, indices, currency rates, volatility,
interest rate, debt, real estate, weather.
Payoff of a Stock
70
60
Payoff
50
40
30
Payoff
20
10
0
0
10
20
30
40
Stock Price
50
60
Profit of a Stock
Payoff / Profit
Payoff
Profit
10
20 30 40
Stock Price
50
60
Payoff
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
0
10
20
30
40
50
Underlying Price at Expiration
60
Payoff
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
0
10
20
30
40
50
Underlying Price at Expiration
60
Options
An European call option is the right to buy a certain quantity
of an underlying asset at a specific maturity date (aka.
expiration date) for a fixed strike price (aka. exercise price).
Similarly, an European put option is the right to sell.
The call option holder can choose to exercise its right to buy or
not to buy. But the option writer has to sell if the option is
exercised.
The option holder pays a premium for the option. The option
writer receives the premium.
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Science and Technology
30
25
Payoff
20
15
10
Payoff
5
0
-5
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
Stock Price at Expiration
60
30
Payoff / Profit
25
20
15
Payoff
10
5
Profit
0
-5
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
Stock Price at Expiration
60
5
Payoff / Profit
-5
-10
-15
Payoff
-20
Profit
-25
-30
-35
0
10
20
30
40
50
Stock Price at Expiration
60
30
25
Payoff
20
15
10
Payoff
5
0
-5
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
Stock Price at Expiration
60
30
Payoff / Profit
25
20
15
10
Payoff
Profit
0
-5
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
Stock Price at Expiration
60
5
Payoff / Profit
-5
-10
-15
Payoff
-20
Profit
-25
-30
-35
0
10
20
30
40
50
Stock Price at Expiration
60
Swaps
A swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows at specified
future dates according to certain specified rules in the
contract. Cash flows can be of different currencies.
Example: Microsoft and Intel enter into a swap to exchange
fixed interest rate with a floating interest rate based on LIBOR.
This is a 3 year contract on a notional principal of $100 million.
Payment occurs every 6 months.
Microsoft: Pay 5% fixed rate, Receives LIBOR rate
Intel: Pay LIBOR rate, Receives 5% fixed rate
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Science and Technology
Uses of Derivatives
1. Hedging
2. Speculation
Betting on a view
3. Arbitrage
4. Diversification
Hedging Example
You are holding 400 shares of HSBC and are worried it
might fall. S=$60. The 1-month put option (X=$60)
costs $3.
You buy 1 put contract (400 puts) for $1200.
In one month, HSBCs price falls to $50.
Profit at Expiration
30
20
10
0
Without Hedging
-10
With Hedging
-20
-30
-40
30
40 50 60 70 80
Stock Price at Expiration
110
Speculation Example
You are bullish about HSBC and you have $24000 to
invest. Current price S=$60. The 1-month call option
(X=$60) costs $4. Compare 2 strategies:
A) You buy 400 shares of HSBC
B) You buy 15 call contracts (6000 calls since multiplier=400)
In one month, HSBCs price rises to $68
A) Profit = $3200, Return = $3200 / $24000 = 13.3%
B) Profit = 6000 x ($8 - $4), Ret = $24000/$24000 = 100%
Lessons to Learn
There should be strict risk limits, and traders need to be
closely monitored
Are they taking excessive risk? Too much leverage?
Are traders speculating when theyre not supposed to?
Keep risk managers separate from traders
Consider liquidity risk in stress tests
Reduce your position when too many people are following the
same strategy.
Make sure you fully understand the trades you are doing. If
you cant value the instrument, dont trade it!