derivatives

finance

Written byDoug Ashburn

Fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Updated: Oct. 1, 2026

In finance, a derivative is a security whose value is derived from, or dependent upon, the value of another security.

Commonly traded derivatives include:

Option contracts. An option gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the underlying security at a specific price, on or before a predetermined date.
Futures contracts. Futures are standardized agreements for future delivery of a commodity, stock index, or other security. Depending on the contract type, they may be settled in cash versus physical delivery.
Swaps. A swap is an agreement to exchange or “swap” the cash flows of two securities, for a negotiated price, for a specific period of time. A common swap contract would exchange a fixed-rate income stream for one whose value fluctuates based on a short-term interest rate benchmark. Other swaps are based on foreign exchange rates and credit default.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Doug Ashburn