Understanding risks while trading in derivatives - National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) (2024)

Understanding risks while trading in derivatives

Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from an underlying asset, such as a stock or a commodity (see the article Understanding Derivatives). They are often used to manage risk or speculate on the future price movements of the underlying asset. While derivatives can be a useful risk-management tool for investors, they also carry significant risks.

The risks
Primarily, there are five major risks

Market risk refers to the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying asset. This can happen if there is a sudden change in market conditions, such as a global financial crisis or a natural disaster. If the value of the underlying asset falls significantly, the value of the derivative can also decline, potentially leading to significant losses for investors.

Leverage can enhance the impact of market risk. Since an investor is required to pay only the margin or premium, as the case may be, the actual exposure to the underlying would be a multiple of the amount paid. If the investor has not properly understood and put a significant amount of capital towards the margin or premium, the losses could be huge, potentially wiping the investor out financially.

Understanding risks while trading in derivatives - National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) (3)

Another risk associated with derivatives is credit risk—the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract will default on their obligations. If a counterparty defaults on a derivative contract, the investor may not receive the full value of the contract, leading to losses. However, this risk does not exist in the case of exchange-traded derivatives, as the clearing house or clearing corporation acts as the counterparty.


Liquidity risk is another significant one. It refers to the risk that an investor may not be able to exit a position in the derivative market quickly or at a fair price. In the Indian securities markets, most actively traded derivatives contracts are short-term, so liquidity risk may not be much as the contract will expire soon.

Operational risk refers to the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, or systems, or from external events. While such instances could be rare, these incidents can lead to significant losses for investors who are unable to exit their positions in time.
In conclusion, derivatives can be a useful tool for investors in the Indian securities markets, but they also carry significant risks. Investors should be aware of the risks associated with derivatives and take steps to mitigate these risks. These measures can help investors use derivatives to manage risks better and potentially enhance their returns.

Understanding risks while trading in derivatives - National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) (2024)

FAQs

Understanding risks while trading in derivatives - National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)? ›

While derivatives can be a useful risk-management tool for investors, they also carry significant risks. Market risk refers to the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying asset. This can happen if there is a sudden change in market conditions, such as a global financial crisis or a natural disaster.

What is Indian derivatives market? ›

Derivative contracts are short-term financial instruments that come with a fixed expiry date. The underlying asset can be stocks, commodities, currencies, indices, exchange rates, or even interest rates. Derivative trading involves both buying and selling of these financial contracts in the market.

What is liquidity risk in derivatives? ›

Liquidity risk applies to investors who plan to close out a derivative trade prior to maturity. Overall, liquidity risk refers to the ability of a company to pay off debts without big losses to its business. To measure liquidity risk, investors compare short-term liabilities and the company's liquid assets.

What is the regulatory framework of derivatives trading in India? ›

SEBI establishes the regulatory framework governing derivatives in India. It formulates rules, regulations, and guidelines concerning the trading, clearing, and settlement of derivative contracts.

What is the trend in equity derivatives? ›

Equity derivative contracts increased by 56.5% compared to 18.4% in 2019, and this was the common trend across all classes of equity derivatives. At the end of 2020, volumes amounted to just under 25.98 billion contracts.

What are the 4 types of derivatives? ›

The four different types of derivatives are as follows:
  • Forward Contracts.
  • Future Contracts.
  • Options Contracts.
  • Swap Contracts.

What is the average salary of a derivatives trader in India? ›

Derivatives Trader salary in India ranges between ₹ 1.8 Lakhs to ₹ 18.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 9.0 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 607 latest salaries received from Derivatives Traders. 0 - 7 years exp. 0 - 7 years exp.

What are the risks of derivatives trading? ›

While derivatives can be a useful risk-management tool for investors, they also carry significant risks. Market risk refers to the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying asset. This can happen if there is a sudden change in market conditions, such as a global financial crisis or a natural disaster.

What are the risk of derivatives? ›

Derivative instruments can involve risks, such as a high degree of implicit leverage and less transparency in some cases than cash instruments, as well as basis, liquidity, and counterparty credit risks.

What are the challenges of derivatives trading? ›

The main challenges facing the derivatives market include market risk, liquidity risk, credit and counterparty risk, legal risk, and transactions risk.

Who regulates derivatives trading? ›

The Stock Exchange operating under the regulatory framework of SEBI facilitates derivatives trading in commodities. It offers a SEBI approved standardised derivatives contract on its trading platform. The contract specifications are designed by the Stock Exchange in consultation with various stakeholders.

Who regulates the derivative market? ›

SEBI | Commodity Derivatives Market Regulation Department (CDMRD)

Who regulates derivatives? ›

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is an independent U.S. government agency that regulates the U.S. derivatives markets, including futures, options, and swaps.

How much do derivatives brokers make? ›

How much does an Equity Derivatives Broker make? As of Apr 6, 2024, the average annual pay for an Equity Derivatives Broker in the United States is $95,027 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $45.69 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,827/week or $7,918/month.

What is the difference between equity trading and derivatives trading? ›

The primary purpose of equity is capital appreciation and ownership, while derivatives are used for hedging, speculation, and leveraging. Equity performance is influenced by company and market trends, while derivatives strategies may adapt based on current market conditions.

Are derivatives equity or fixed income? ›

An equity derivative is a financial instrument whose value is based on the equity movements of the underlying asset. For example, a stock option is an equity derivative, because its value is based on the price movements of the underlying stock.

Which is India largest derivative market? ›

NSE: World's Largest Derivatives Exchange For 5th Year, Ranks 3rd Globally In Equities Segment. In the year 2023, the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) will hold the title of largest derivatives exchange in the world for a fifth year running.

What is the role of derivatives in Indian economy? ›

By allowing investors to unbundle and transfer these risks, derivatives contribute to a more efficient allocation of capital, facilitate cross-border capital flows, and create more opportunities for portfolio diversification. Thus, financial derivatives are essential for the development of efficient capital markets.

What is derivatives market in simple words? ›

Derivatives market is the financial market for derivatives which are a group of products including futures and options whose value is derived from and/or is dependent on the value of a different underlying asset such as commodities, currency, securities etc.

How big is Indian derivatives market? ›

In the past few years, efforts led by Indian policymakers have driven significant expansion of the OTC derivatives market, with its notional value reaching around $9.27 trillion in 2022, making it the 20th largest OTC derivatives markets globally.

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