Underlying

As per the underlying meaning, with reference to the concept of equity trading, is defined as the common stock that is expected to be delivered when there is the execution of some warrant, or when some convertible preferred share or convertible bond gets converted to the common stock.

Underlying’s price serves to be the crucial Factor that helps in determining the overall prices of warrants, derivative securities, and even convertibles. As such, price change of the given underlying is known to result in the respective change in the derivative asset’s price that is linked to the same.

Getting an Understanding of Underlying

Underlying applies to both derivatives as well as equities. In the concept of derivatives, underlying is referred to as the security that is expected to be delivered when some derivative contract –like the Call or Put Option, gets exercised.

There are two major types of investments –equity & debt. The debt is expected to be paid back to the respective investors. Moreover, investors get compensation as interest payments. There is no requirement of paying back the equity. In this case, the investors get the compensation through dividends or share price appreciation. Both the given forms of investments depict particular cash flows along with specific benefits on the Basis of the individual investor.

Financial Derivatives

You can come across specific financial instruments that are solely based on the overall movement of equity and debt. There are some financial instruments to accelerate when there is an increase in the respective interest rates. There is also the presence of specific financial instruments that tend to go down upon the decrease in the stock prices. The instruments are based on the Underlying Asset’s performance, or the equity or debt having original investment.

The given set of financial instruments is known as derivatives. This is because the same is capable of deriving value from specific movements in the concept of underlying. Usually, the underlying serves to be a form of security –like the stocks, or some commodity when futures are considered.

Example of Underlying

The most common types of derivatives that you can come across are puts and calls. A contract depicting call derivative is known to offer its owner the right, yet not Obligation, of buying some specific asset or stock at a particular stake price. On the other hand, the contract depicting a put derivative is known to offer the owner right, yet not obligation, of selling the given stock at some strike price. Both the put as well as the call tend to be dependent on the respective price movements in the underlying assets.