chp 6 - mock exam

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What is the purpose of hedging in investment management?

To speculate on asset prices
To diversify asset allocation
To reduce portfolio risk (correct)
To maximize portfolio risk

In derivative trading, what does OTC stand for?

Online Trading Consortium
Over-The-Counter (correct)
Open Trading Center
Organized Trading Channel

Which of the following is considered a financial asset?

Gold
Oil
Wheat
Bonds (correct)

Where do exchange-traded derivatives like those on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) take place?

On an organized exchange (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which role do derivatives play in investment management besides hedging?

Anticipating future cash flows (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using futures to fix the price of an asset before receiving a large cash inflow?

To hedge against the risk of prices decreasing before receiving the cash flow. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do derivatives such as futures help in making swift changes to the asset allocation of a fund?

By reducing the risk involved in implementing changes to the asset allocation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of arbitrage in financial markets?

To take advantage of pricing anomalies between derivatives and underlying assets. (C) Signup and view all the answers

When can a portfolio manager potentially profit from a pricing anomaly between a derivative and its underlying asset?

When the derivative is cheaper than its underlying asset. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes speculation from other investment strategies mentioned in the text?

Speculation requires assuming additional risk in pursuit of higher profits. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key distinguishing feature of a futures contract according to the text?

It is exchange-traded and dealt on standardized terms. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In a futures contract, which party agrees to deliver the asset at a future date?

The seller (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why might an electricity-generating company enter into a futures contract for crude oil according to the text?

To secure a fixed price for future oil purchases. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a futures contract from an options contract?

Futures contracts obligate both parties to fulfill the transaction. (D) Signup and view all the answers

For an oil company, what is a likely motivation to engage in a futures contract for oil production according to the text?

To guarantee future sales prices of their oil production. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when a market participant opens a trade?

Entering into a future contract as a buyer (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of futures markets, what does 'going long' mean?

Committed to buying the underlying asset at the pre-agreed price (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary commitment of the person who is 'short' in a futures contract?

To deliver the underlying asset (B) Signup and view all the answers

When a future is closed out without physical delivery, what term is used for this process?

Closing out the trade (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which action distinguishes 'closing' in a futures contract from 'opening'?

Making a closing sale before the delivery date (B) Signup and view all the answers

What happens if an opening buyer in a futures contract avoids delivery?

The buyer makes a closing sale (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between being 'long' and being 'short' in futures trading?

Long positions are for buyers, while short positions are for sellers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is typically done with physical assets underlying most futures?

They are closed out instead of being delivered. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What motivates an opening buyer in a futures contract to make a closing sale before delivery?

To settle their position without physical delivery. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if a market participant opens a trade and later decides to close it?

The trade will be settled without physical delivery. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between an option and a future contract?

An option grants the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell, whereas a future is a binding obligation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes options traded on an exchange from those traded off-exchange in the OTC market?

OTC options are bespoke contracts, while exchange-traded options have standard sizes and terms. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the relationship between a buyer and seller in an option contract?

The buyer pays a premium to have the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell from the seller. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why might investors choose to trade options in the OTC market instead of on an exchange?

Investors can customize contract terms in OTC options beyond standardized sizes and terms of exchange-traded options. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What feature of options makes them attractive compared to futures contracts?

Options provide the right but not the obligation to buy or sell an asset. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the seller of a put option?

Writer (A) Signup and view all the answers

In exchange-traded contracts, how do buyers and sellers settle the contract?

Through a clearing house that is part of the exchange (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the motivation for exchanges to match transactions between option holders and writers?

To avoid involvement in transactions between buyers and sellers (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the obligation of the seller when a buyer exercises a call option?

To deliver the asset at the exercise price (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why do exchanges require a clearing house for settling option contracts?

To manage risks associated with delivery and exercise (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between a 'covered' and a 'naked' position in options trading?

Having the underlying asset vs. not having the underlying asset (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of options contracts, what does the holder have the right to do?

Exercise the option to buy (A) Signup and view all the answers

If an options writer has a 'naked' position, what does it imply?

The writer does not have the underlying asset (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation for an investor to exercise an options contract?

Buy or sell shares at favorable prices (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why does a writer of an options contract face unlimited theoretical losses in certain scenarios?

Lack of holding underlying assets to meet obligations (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the two exchanges of cash flow known as the legs of the swap?

To allow one party to pay a fixed rate and the other party to receive a variable rate (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is typically used as a benchmark rate for calculating variable interest rates in swaps?

LIBOR (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of swaps, what role does the notional amount play?

It represents the amount borrowed by one party to fund a project (B) Signup and view all the answers

How is the floating rate typically set in a swap agreement?

Benchmark rate plus a fixed percentage (D) Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the variable interest rate in swap agreements?

'Floating' rate (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of interest rate swaps mentioned in the text?

To insure against unexpected interest rate changes (C) Signup and view all the answers

In an interest rate swap, what is meant by 'notional principal'?

The hypothetical amount used to calculate interest payments (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why might a company with variable rate borrowing enter into an interest rate swap?

To hedge against potential losses from unfavorable interest rate changes (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an interest rate swap from a traditional loan?

Swaps involve the exchange of cash flows while loans do not (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does entering into an interest rate swap benefit a company like Company A in the text?

By reducing the impact of interest rate fluctuations on project profitability (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of credit derivatives like a credit default swap (CDS)?

To provide insurance against adverse credit events. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the value of credit derivatives such as a credit default swap (CDS)?

Credit events related to a third-party company. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does a credit default swap (CDS) differ from traditional swap agreements?

In CDS, one party provides credit protection against credit events. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why might an organization choose to enter into a swap agreement?

To lock in a fixed interest rate and hedge against variable rates. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which financial concept best describes the function of the variable interest rate in a swap agreement?

Hedging (D) Signup and view all the answers