Keeping your options open

The burgeoning popularity of credit default swaps has sparked much talk about the development of a market in credit options. Ian Clague asks whether 2003 will see the birth of this market and investigates the opportunities arising from credit options and the barriers to their growth

creditoptions-webb-gif

Options usually represent a major part of any derivative market. They are, in a sense, the perfect hedge, providing protection when the market moves against a portfolio and conveniently becoming irrelevant when market moves are favourable. In many ways options are like insurance to an investor: they can buy an asset but also buy the opportunity to sell it later at a certain price if the investment goes wrong.

In the derivative markets of equity and interest rate swaps, options represent a

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here