Finance

Derivatives are contracts that derive their price or value from an underlying asset. The underlying asset may be a bond, stock, currency, debt instrument, interest rate, commodity, or market index. There may be two or more parties to a derivative contract.

While different types of financial derivatives exist in the market, you can broadly classify them into four major categories – forwards, swaps, futures & options.

Standard derivative market terms you must know

 Futures contract: This is an agreement between two entities to buy or sell an underlying asset. The sale/purchase is undertaken at a specified price, however, on a future date. Both the parties to a futures contract are obligated to execute the contract on the stipulated date. Like any other transaction involving financial instruments, the buyer holds a long position while the seller holds a short position. Futures contracts are generalised exchange-traded contracts. As the futures exchange is the counterparty to every transaction, default risk is eliminated. Futures on interest rates, forex, and stock indices are primarily popular.

1. Forwards contracts: It is a promise to deliver an underlying asset at a predetermined price at a stipulated date in the future. These tailor-made contracts are executed in the OTC (Over-The-Counter) market and not via an exchange. Hence, they suffer from counterparty risk, as an exchange’s rules and regulations do not govern them.
2. Options: These are derivative finance contracts wherein the option holder/buyer has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell the underlying asset at a prescribed price on a future date. If the buyer exercises the option, the seller must fulfil the contract.
3. Call option: It is an option contract wherein the buyer has the option to buy the underlying asset at a stipulated price on the exercise date.
4. Put option: It is an option contract wherein the holder has the option to sell the underlying asset at a predetermined price on the exercise date.
5. Exercise date: The date on which the option holder exercises the option contract is known as the exercise date. American options can be exercised on or before the option expiry date, while European options can be executed only on the option expiry date.
6. Exercise/Strike price: The exercise price is the price at which the underlying asset can be bought or sold by the option holder on the exercise date.
7. Option premium: It is the present market value of an option contract. It is incurred by the option buyer and is an income for the seller.
8. Equity derivatives:  They derive their value partly or wholly from underlying equities or stocks. Equity futures and options are the most sought-after derivatives in the stock market.
9. Swaps: It is an agreement between two entities to exchange predetermined cash flows for a given period. Popular swaps are interest rate and currency swaps.

Conclusion

These are some derivative market terms you should know before you engage in derivative trading. Derivative trading is a suitable hedging mechanism as you can take simultaneous positions in the spot and derivative markets and mitigate your losses. You can consider taking expert assistance to master derivative trading.

Listed Options

Many companies will not admit to using listed options because of the extra administrative overhead. Companies like Saxo that use listed options generally have a large number of shareholders and a relatively high volume of shares changing hands daily. Visit their website.

In this case, it is usually advantageous for the company to employ listed options rather than over-the-counter (OTC) options. This is because OTC options face greater counterparty risk and legal costs in addition to increased administration costs.

Listing an option contract also provides investors with specific legal remedies that OTC options do not provide.

OTC Options

Over-the-counter (OTC) options are negotiated directly between two parties and usually take place on the phone. There is no centralised counterparty to either party like there would be in a listed options contract.

Additionally, most OTC contracts involve higher transaction costs because each party’s broker charges separately for the transaction – whereas listed options charge a flat fee per contract traded.

Because of these disadvantages, many brokers have stopped offering OTC option facilities altogether since it is more profitable for them to deal in listed options.

Despite the negative connotation associated with OTC options, they are not inherently wrong. Some types of OTC options can be even more advantageous than their listed counterparts depending on the situation that companies find themselves in.

For example, control transactions by controlling shareholders are usually conducted using OTC options because it saves costs and maximize flexibility.

OTC options are traded through a dealer network in an unregulated market, and they do not have standardised terms.

On the other hand, Listed options trade in a regulated environment and offer standardised contract terms and features.

One of the most glaring differences between listed and OTC is that listed has standardised contracts with defined specifications that you can view easily online.

 A key reason for this difference is that listed options attract more institutional investors than over-the-counter (OTC) contracts because of their accessibility to retail traders.

This means there is less room for misrepresentation by brokers when dealing with such large numbers of investors who employ different types of strategies.

Listing requirements vary depending on the market; however, listing requirements typically require having at least one market maker willing to make a two-sided marketplace.

Requirements for Hong Kong

• The contract size cannot be less than HK$100,000 or more than HK$12,000,000
• Each transaction must involve at least two months tenure OR an average of 21 days per month.
• An issuer must have more than 12 months trading history on its securities and earnings before interest taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of at least HK$10 million for the last 12 months before filing for listing application formalities.

OTC options lack this standardisation of terms which makes it difficult for retail traders to trade due to the lack of clarity on what kind of options are being bought and sold

The terms also need to be agreed upon between buyer and seller, which means every trade is unique, resulting in some losses for traders unfamiliar with OTC markets.

Another disadvantage of OTC options trading is that the buyer’s broker needs to have a certain amount of money on hand to ensure they can pay if their client decides to exercise their option when it expires.

This arrangement usually requires only major players such as large banks or financial institutions because they have deep pockets and many clients, giving them an edge over other brokers. It also limits the available market pool because individual investors cannot buy these options due to limited funding capabilities.

OTC options are usually not listed on any public exchange, which means you can trade them at any time between the party who is buying and selling.

An alternative to buying OTC options would be to buy a listed put or call option from another much easier company. Still, it will typically have a much larger premium than if trading exclusively in OTC markets.

White good industry stocks refer to the stocks that are a part of the industry that sells heavy consumer durables such as washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. These goods are called white goods because traditionally, they were sold in the colour white. However, these days, they are available in the market in varied colour choices.

Recently, as many as 52 white goods companies submitted their proposals to the central government to invest around Rs. 6,000 crore under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods. Thus, it is relatively a good time to consider these white goods stocks for investment.

Top 6 consumer durable companies in India

Following are the key players in the white goods industry in India, known for their brand value. You can consider investing in them to increase the worth of your portfolio –

• Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is a multinational home appliances manufacturer headquartered in the United States. Under its strategy of a global approach, Whirlpool forayed into India in the 1980s with a joint venture with the TVS Group. The large cap company is currently one of the major manufacturers and marketers of home appliances in India.

• IFB Industries

Originally called the Indian Fine Blanks Limited, IFB set its foot in India in 1974 with a collaboration with a Swiss company. The company maintains an extensive product portfolio which includes chimneys, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, etc. A lot of India’s firsts have been introduced by IFB, such as the first dishwasher, clothes dryer, front load washing machine, etc.

• Blue Star

It’s a well-known name in the air conditioners and refrigerators manufacturing domain. For more than half of a century, this mid-cap company has been an exclusive distributor of most of the internationally known manufacturers of industrial products and hi-tech electronic equipment in India.

• Johnson Control

The company creates intelligent buildings, integrated infrastructure, efficient energy solutions to help build smart cities and communities. With a wide range of products in its portfolio and depth of innovation experience, it has been growing globally since 1885.

• Symphony

Symphony is an Indian multinational company present in over 60 countries. It is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of air coolers. It maintains a sustainable competitive advantage over other competitors in the market with 15 copyrights, 48 patents, 64 registered designs, and 201 trademarks.

• LEEL

LEEL is the largest producer of heat exchangers in the Indian HVAC & R industry. The company also has a client base in North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia.

Conclusion

With advancements in technologies and infrastructure, white goods industry stocks are poised to register good returns in the future. For guidance and expert advice on these stocks and other investment products, you can reach out to a financial expert. They could help you achieve your dream of wealth creation by making you invest at the right place at the right time.

When it comes to mutual fund investments, many investors might face some challenging questions that need to be answered. Investors are often plagued by the thought of whether they should opt for low cap schemes for aggressive growth or opt for stability via large-cap mutual fund investments. To invest in mutual funds, it is a primary requirement to have a fair knowledge of the different types of mutual funds.

What is a Multicap mutual fund?

One of the strongest aspects that fuels your investment strategy is risk tolerance. It keeps on fluctuating with time and circumstances. This results in a mutual fund investment dilemma as small, medium, or large-cap mutual funds may or may not be in sync with it.

Let us look at the meaning of a Multicap fund:

• It can be said that it is a hybrid form of investment
• Multicap mutual fund invests in a mixed portfolio of equity-related stocks of companies and equity with a range of market capitalizations
• Several types of schemes can be found wherein mutual fund investments have been made in small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap companies
• This could this category of investment suitable to align with your risk tolerance
• Individually, if you choose to invest your corpus in either of small, mid-cap, or large-cap funds, there is a restriction limited by how the portfolio is defined
• This simply means a fund manager of a medium cap fund cannot invest in mutual funds of small-cap funds, which makes a multicap fund more lucrative as it offers flexibility

What are the types of multicap funds?

Ones the focus on large-cap stocks:

The primary objective is to build and expand a portfolio by making mutual fund investments in large-cap segments. Once satisfactory returns are derived, opportunities in small and mid-cap segments are explored.

Ones that focus on small/mid-cap stocks:

Here the mindset of investments in mid-cap and small-cap segments is quite aggressive. Only in case of a downside, investments in large-cap funds are looked upon for protection. The idea is not to focus on the market capitalizations before investing but to choose stocks that have the ability to outperform.

Advantages of investing in Multicap funds:

Diversification:

• Multicap funds offer a diverse range of portfolio investment opportunities. This tends to help mitigate risks
• Spreading out investments across a range of funds helps to keep a better track of returns

Vast Exposure:

• Fund managers offer a vast exposure as investments are not restricted to any particular business sector, but it is about different key sectors that are the driving force of the economy
• Investors gain insightful knowledge of several business models and this experience helps them to further advance their profile and make the most out of it

Mutual fund investments to build a good portfolio based on current market conditions:

• The experience and expert advice received by investors is a composition of small-, mid-, and large-cap funds that are thriving in current conditions
• If the portfolio manager analyses that small-cap stocks may get overvalued and there is a possibility of a huge shift in that space, they might turn to large-cap funds and settle at a defensive position

Hence, the volatility in Multicap funds helps investors to brace for market conditions and face the circumstances head-on. This method allows them to have critical and in-depth thinking abilities. It allows them to enjoy returns close to their desires and needs.

Aside from being able to save tax, life insurance can provide various other type of benefits. Unfortunately, many people get into life insurance thinking that buying a policy is just a way to save tax or to get some other benefits. However, if you want to have the full benefit of life insurance, you need to know it in the best way possible. Here is a list of features that life insurance has:

Features of life insurance

When you think about looking at features of life insurance, the first idea that comes to your head is a list of benefits it offers along with the rules and regulations you have to follow. However, as beneficial as life insurance is, it is a much more diverse and complex product. The best example of that is that the features of a life insurance policy depend on the type of policy. Here are various types of life insurance policies and their features:

• Term Insurance

Term insurance is a type of life insurance that can be used to secure your family’s financial future should you die. What makes it distinct from other types of life insurance products is that it is extremely affordable. A term plan is a type of life insurance policy that provides high life cover for a low premium. The premium for this type of life insurance policy is typically fixed at the time of purchase and it remains the same throughout the term. Term insurance plans can also offer longer terms of coverage. Policy holders can buy coverage for up to 60 years of age. The death benefit for term insurance can be claimed by the nominee of the policy through lumpsum or regular income various payout options. Some of the individuals who should strongly consider buying term insurance are young professionals, married couples, parents, etc.

• Endowment Plans

Endowment plan is a type of life insurance policy that helps you for the future in different ways. In addition to offering life coverage, the plans also have an extra component of savings. This way, the plan secures your future and helps you in saving regularly.

If you decide to invest in an endowment plan, you have the guarantee of receiving a payout regardless of having to make a claim or not. If you manage to survive the policy, you will receive a lump sum payout as your policy maturity benefit. You also get a tax deduction on the basis of your premium payments under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The maturity benefit that you would receive at the end of the policy term is also exempt from tax as per Section 10(10D).

• ULIPs

A ULIP is a type of Insurance that combines protection and wealth creation through investment. It can grow faster and provide better returns than traditional plans. The beneficiary will get the death benefit if the policyholder dies during the term of the ULIP. If the latter survives the term, he/she will get the maturity benefits. The investment aspect of ULIPs also offers a great deal of flexibility to policyholders. It gives policyholders the chance to decide how much premium of theirs will go towards investment. Moreover, it allows them to select the funds that their investment will go to. ULIPs also allow you to partially withdraw your investment. By doing so, they give you the chance of having higher liquidity. ULIPs are tax-free policies as well. The invested premiums can qualify you for income tax deductions under Section 80C. The maturity benefit of the policy is also exempt from tax.

Different types of policies have different types of features. Hence, if you want to make the most of your life insurance purchase, you need to match your requirements with the features of each type of plan. The set of features that suit you best is the type of policy you should go for.

The use of online credit cards has seen increased popularity among Indians over the last few years. The reason is the convenience, security, and the various perks such as discounts, cashbacks, and gift vouchers offered by credit cards. Credit cards also allow you easy access to credit in case of emergencies, saving you the trouble of having to borrow money from external sources. It is recommended that to maintain a good credit score, you always clear your credit card dues in time. All credit cards come with a limit on the amount you can spend in a month. Once you exceed this limit, you cannot use your credit card till you clear your outstanding dues.

How to Apply for Credit Cards?

If you are thinking of applying for a new credit card, you can follow the below-mentioned steps for the quick issuance of a credit card.

1. Go to the bank of your choice and interact with a credit card representative.
2. List out the reasons for applying for a credit card. The representative will then check your credit score and income to know whether you would qualify for obtaining a credit card or not.
3. After the verification process is complete, you can fill the credit card application form. Your card would be delivered to your registered address in a few days.

You need to keep certain documents such as identity proof, address proof, and income proof handy while applying for a credit card.

Alternatively, you can also apply for credit cards on portals such as Finserv MARKETS where you have the advantage of comparing the best features of various credit cards at one go. You can then opt for the one that best suits your needs. To apply for a credit card on Finserv MARKETS follow these simple steps.

1. Log on to the Finserv MARKETS website www.bajajfinservmarkets.in.
2. On the top menu, click on the “Cards” tab and from there select “Apply-Credit Cards”
3. Enter your phone number, email ID, and date of birth to check your eligibility for various offers.
4. Select the card of your choice from the wide range of options and click apply.
5. Provide the KYC documents needed for verification.

And that’s it. You’re done.

Credit Card CVV Number

While making an online purchase using a credit card, you are often asked to provide details about the name on the card, expiry date, card number, etc. along with a 3 or 4 digit number before the payment can be processed. This number is called the CVV number.

What is the meaning of CVV?

CVV stands for Card Verification Value and is unique for each card that has ever been printed. Even if you save card details on a website for facilitating quicker checkout, your CVV won’t be saved and you need to add it every time you initiate a purchase.

With an increase in cashless transactions, instances of cyber frauds have also risen. CVV number was formulated as an effective shield against phishing attempts. It makes your online transaction using credit cards secure as the CVV number for each card is obtained using a precise algorithm and can not be easily misused.

Credit cards of different companies have the CVV number printed in different places. In the case of MasterCard and Visa, the CVV is printed on the back of the card. However, in the case of America Express, the number is printed on the front panel of the card.

Conclusion

Even though CVV protects your card against cyber fraud, there are instances when this protection can be breached. Therefore you should never leave your card unattended or discuss your credit card details with anyone. You should carry out purchases only on trusted sites. In case you notice any unauthorized transactions, you should immediately report this to your bank. As long as you follow these precautions, your credit card is perfectly safe and secure and you continue using it for all your needs.

An SME loan is the best option for a small business to obtain quick finance without the hassles of extensive paperwork. Further, the application process of the business loan has been considerably simplified by the fintech lenders, with the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Business loans from fintech players offer several advantages from easy EMI repayment options to competitive interest rates, unlike profit sharing terms like investors. However, despite the obvious benefits, there are several myths that have clouded the minds of SME loan applicants. We shall debunk these myths with factual analysis.

Myth 1: Chances of loan rejection are high in case the loan requirement is nominal

This is completely untrue. The loan amount applied for and sanctioned in entirely dependent upon the business requirement. The loan approval is contingent upon satisfying the eligibility criteria of the lender.  Even an SME can apply for a small ticket size loan and get the same approved from an NBFC within a week if its financial metrics are strong.

Myth 2: Personal Loan wins over a Business Loan

This again does not hold in many instances. Although the processing time of personal loans is faster compared to business loans, their sanction limit is much lower in case of a personal loan. Further, the interest rates on business loans are relatively lower than personal loans. Further, the creditworthiness of the business owner in his individual capacity is considered while granting a personal loan. This does not help build the credit standing of the business. Further, small business is prone to business cycles. In case of the business hitting a low, the credit score of the promoter takes a hit, which will impact future chances of obtaining a loan. It is prudent to keep personal and business finances separate from the tax angle as well. Interest on business loans can be shown as a business expense deduction in the P&L statement and goes towards reducing the taxable profits of the business.

Myth 3: Procuring a Business loan is plain tough

There is a common fallacy that it is difficult for an SME to obtain a business loan apply. If one meets the eligibility criteria of an SME loan i.e. at least Rs 40 lakhs turnover, a decent credit score, submission of GST and IT returns and an operating vintage of at least 3 years, there is a high probability of loan approval. Further, fintech lenders extend loans via a simple online process with the absence of collateral security.

Myth 4: Lenders will insist on a business loan against property

This is not always the case. In the case of banks, the collateral security is mandatory in most cases. However, in the case of fintech companies, there is absolutely no collateral cover required to avail a business loan. It is difficult for SMEs to offer assets as mortgage owing to their limited asset pool.

Myth 5: It is better to use one’s personal savings rather than availing a business loan

It is highly risky to dip into one’s personal savings. In case the business fails, one would be completely bankrupt as one’s personal savings would not be available for future financial needs. One must maintain separate accounts for personal and business finances. It’s a complete no-no to mix the two.

Myth 6: Best to approach banks for business loans

There is no such evidence available which confirms the veracity of the above. In several cases, an SME can obtain an SME loan from an NBFC, even in spite of the loan application having been rejected by banks. In reality, banks stipulate tough conditions for loan approval, which is difficult for SMEs to comply with. Hence in all cases, it is not necessarily that big is best.

Myth 7: The personal CIBIL score is of no consequence

This is a complete misconception. A credit score is one of the primary aspects that lenders consider prior to loan disbursement. A lender is mainly concerned with the repayment capability of the business. Hence the credit score is a strong indicator of the creditworthiness of the borrower. In case the business suffers loss, the loan amount can be recovered from the promoters.

Myth 8: You need an ideal credit score to get a business loan

This is an exaggeration of the truth. While a decent credit score is vital, in case of a strong financial position of the business, the lender would consider extending the SME loan. The lender may extend loans at higher interest rates to an entity with poor credit scores if it obtains assurance on the repayment capability of the business unit.

Myth 9: Only interest rate matters

This is a short-sighted approach to obtaining a business loan. While an attractive interest rate can help in savings of financing costs, one cannot restrict the analysis to purely the interesting pricing. Some of the other important aspects comprise any hidden costs, processing fee, charges, the reputation of the lender, tenure of the loan, the loan amount and most critically the absence of collateral cover.

The convenience of obtaining a microloan consists not only in the fact that it can be issued immediately but also in the convenience of a refund. When applying for microloans, there are several options for returning the amount of debt.

Stages of getting online loan

Payday Loans Online is a company that helps users to get the most relevant credit for them. It is not necessary to have a perfect credit history, because the company finds options for different users. Anyway, there are different options on the market, so the users can select something that fits their needs. To get an online loan, you should go to the website of the microfinance organization that you have chosen to cooperate. Remember that you should make sure that the organization providing financial services has the appropriate license. Typically, the site can be found with all permits and terms of service. Here are the main stages:

• Decide on the amount you need. It can be in the range of $100 – $30000 in the Payday Loans Online company. Try to specify the most accurate amount. Remember that on the basis of the loan amount, a payment is made for the use of the loan, so do not ask for extra money
• Determine the period during which borrowed funds will be used. It can be only 3 days or a whole month. For the convenience of users, it is usually possible to choose a period with an interval of 1 day
• Fill out a short form, it is necessary to specify some personal data (including four last numbers of the social security number).

With a positive decision, the money will come to your card. In some companies, if you do not have a card, you can get a loan for an electronic wallet. However, for Payday Loans Online, it is necessary for users to have the bank account without overdrawn

Nobody up to now can provide the precise meaning of personal needs or what really are things that come under the course of private requirement. Actually, when we start mentioning the items inside a list then it might be just numerous. We might peep around for any certain factor today, but there is no need the particular factor would satisfy our avarice. Furthermore, if the list is lengthy or short just about everything would ended up costing some cent. Thus, cash is the primary factor which drives the cult and fervour of those. Furthermore, to guide a decent lifestyle we obtain obsessed on the large expenses. In this context when money continues to be referred to as the driving pressure or even the catalyst, let’s say some emergency situation hits on you? Quite simply, emergency situation means, all of a sudden you’ll need vast amounts for many apparent reasons. For example, you need to purchase a new vehicle, or you need to expand your company or various others cases can as well be be listed. In this situation, the loans can be the very best medium which may provide you with the right helping hands comfortable.

Personal loans could be known as the very best or the most popular loans in the loan fraternity. In a single word, these kinds of loans are known as ‘all-purpose loans’. You are able to really make use of the amount borrowed for just about any purpose like for financing your educations, visit to an overseas land or perhaps renovating you old home etc. So, these no purpose specific loans happen to be specifically formulated to tear off all of the unnecessary money related issues that can come connected using the personal needs. In addition, the flexible conditions and terms of those small personal loans wouldn’t dwarf you with extra or heavy obligations. Most significantly almost everyone can bear the sunshine burdens of these kinds of loans. However, you should understand his/her needs before you apply for such an example loans. Many of the since the personal loans can be found in two sorts i.e., guaranteed and unsecured. Within the former situation you should really pledge a burglar to obtain the needed amount whilst in the second situation you will get the borrowed funds amount with no security issue. However, the façade of the issue would be that the interest levels within the situation of short term loans are slightly high whilst in the situation of guaranteed loans the interest levels are very low.

In situation you need to access quick personal loans you’ll be able to readily ask for the support of the internet. By logging online, you’d encounter various banks and banking institutions that offer such an example loans which too at very minimal interest levels. This method would aid you in getting a much better picture concerning the accessibility to the loans and also the interest levels which compliment them. In addition, urgent requirements of money at occasions can’t be overlooked. During individuals occasions choosing the support of such an example loans would end up being a sensible decision. Furthermore, the eligibility qualifying criterion for such an example quick personal loans will also be not too bothering. The borrowed funds applicant ought to be 18 or over 18 years old and should possess a running saving/checking banking account. Not needed to say, you’ll want a normal supply of earnings to determine because you possess the repayment capacity.

Don’t you have money to buy a lovely gadget that you have been dreaming about? What if it is found to be available in a retail shop at a discounted price? Just grab the opportunity with the help of the personal loan for foreigners in Singapore.