Derivatives market

A derivatives market is any market for a derivative, that is a contract which specifies the right or obligation to receive or deliver future cash flows based on some future event such as the price of an independent security or the performance of an index.

Derivatives markets can be standardized (many users trading fungible contracts, typically on an exchange) or non-standardized (where derivitives are customized for the user by a trading desk - the over-the-counter market). One derivatives market is for standardized stock options, a market where parties can buy or sell, call or put options on a secondary market. Non-standardized derivatives instruments,such as naked warrants issued directly by financial institutions to a secondary market, also exist.

Other derivative markets include those for Interest Rate Swaps, Credit Default Swaps and Options and forwards on foreign exchange.

See also: Financial markets