What best describes the primary purpose of derivatives in financial markets?(2 Points)HedgingSpeculationArbitrageInvestment
Question
What best describes the primary purpose of derivatives in financial markets?
- Hedging
- Speculation
- Arbitrage
- Investment
Solution
The primary purpose of derivatives in financial markets can be described as all of the above - Hedging, Speculation, Arbitrage, and Investment. However, the best description would depend on the context.
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Hedging: Derivatives are often used to hedge against potential losses. For example, a company might use a derivative to lock in a certain price for a commodity like oil, protecting against the risk of price increases in the future.
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Speculation: Some investors use derivatives to speculate on the future direction of asset prices. They hope to make a profit by correctly predicting whether prices will go up or down.
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Arbitrage: This involves taking advantage of price differences in different markets. For example, if a stock is priced lower in one market than another, an investor could buy the stock in the cheaper market and sell it in the more expensive one, making a profit from the price difference.
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Investment: Derivatives can also be used as an investment tool. For example, an investor might buy a derivative that gives them the right to buy a stock at a certain price in the future, hoping that the stock's price will rise.
So, the primary purpose of derivatives can vary depending on the investor's goals and strategies.
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