What Are Other Instruments Traded in the Stock Exchange?
The stock market is a market where securities such as stocks, bonds and bills are traded. However, the instruments traded on the stock exchange are not limited to these. There are also other instruments such as futures and options contracts, mutual funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), venture capital investment trusts (GSYO), warrants, certificates and stocks in the stock market.
Each of these tools has different features, advantages and risks. For this reason, it is important for investors to familiarize themselves with these tools and choose the ones that are suitable for them before trading on the stock market. In this article, we will explain what other instruments traded on the stock market are and how they work.
Futures and Options Contracts
Futures and options contracts are derivative instruments traded on the exchange. Derivatives are instruments that gain or lose value depending on the price or yield of another asset. A futures contract is a contract in which the buyer and seller undertake to buy and sell a certain asset at a certain price on a certain date. An option contract is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a particular asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Futures and options contracts offer opportunities to investors such as hedging, speculation and arbitrage. Hedging is the investor's ability to secure himself against future price changes. Speculation is when an investor takes a position to profit from price changes. Arbitrage, on the other hand, is a method of making risk-free profits by taking advantage of price differences in the markets.
Futures and options contracts are traded on the Borsa Istanbul Futures and Options Market (VIOP). VIOP has futures and options contracts based on various assets such as indices, stocks, exchange rates, interest rates, commodities and cryptocurrencies.
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are portfolios created with money collected from investors. Mutual funds are managed by professional portfolio managers and they invest in a variety of securities or other assets. Mutual funds provide investors with diversification, liquidity, convenience and tax