Derivatives are investment instruments that consist of a contract between parties whose value derives from and depends on the value of an underlying financial asset. However, like any investment instrument, there are varying levels of risk associated with derivatives. This post will cover derivatives risk at a glance, going through the primary risks associated with derivatives: market risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk, and interconnection risk
Market Risk
Market risk refers to the general risk of any investment. Investors make decisions and take positions based on assumptions, technical analysis, or other factors that lead them to certain conclusions about how an investment is likely to perform.
Counterparty Risk
Counterparty risk, or counterparty credit risk, arises if one of the parties involved in a derivatives trade, such as the buyer, seller, or dealer, defaults on the contract. This risk is higher in over-the-counter, or OTC, markets, which are much less regulated than ordinary trading exchanges.
Liquidity Risk
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.
Interconnection Risk
Interconnection risk refers to how the interconnections between various derivative instruments and dealers might affect an investor's particular derivative trade.
Market Risk
Market risk refers to the general risk of any investment. Investors make decisions and take positions based on assumptions, technical analysis, or other factors that lead them to certain conclusions about how an investment is likely to perform.
Counterparty Risk
Counterparty risk, or counterparty credit risk, arises if one of the parties involved in a derivatives trade, such as the buyer, seller, or dealer, defaults on the contract. This risk is higher in over-the-counter, or OTC, markets, which are much less regulated than ordinary trading exchanges.
Liquidity Risk
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.
Interconnection Risk
Interconnection risk refers to how the interconnections between various derivative instruments and dealers might affect an investor's particular derivative trade.