Derivative
A derivative is a financial contract whose value is linked to an underlying asset, rate, index, event, or benchmark.
General derivative instrument, equity-linked, asset-swap, weather derivative, and contract-structure terms.
Derivative Instruments and Contract Structures is the financial-instruments landing page for general derivatives, derivative instruments, asset swaps, weather derivatives, stock-return notes, and contract structures. It keeps related terms in one branch so readers can move from a broad instrument question to the article that owns the contract evidence.
Use this page when a derivative label defines how the instrument derives value from an underlying asset, rate, index, event, or benchmark. Use the parent Derivatives page when you need the broader instrument map. For an individual decision, confirm the contract, term sheet, prospectus, confirmation, exchange specification, or disclosure record before relying on the term.
Use the table below to move from this landing page into the term page that best matches the instrument evidence.
| Term | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Derivative | Derivative is a derivative instrument term used to place the narrower article in the right contract, payoff, settlement, and risk context. |
| Derivative Instrument | Derivative Instrument is a derivative instrument term used to place the narrower article in the right contract, payoff, settlement, and risk context. |
| Stock Returns Note (SRN) | Stock Returns Note (SRN) links debt-like instrument terms with equity-linked payoff exposure and structured-note risk. |
A weather derivative can settle on a temperature index rather than on a stock, bond, or commodity price.
Derivative Instruments and Contract Structures content is educational and does not provide personalized investment, tax, legal, accounting, valuation, derivatives, or securities advice.
Choose a subsection first. Deeper term pages live inside each subsection, which keeps large topic hubs readable.
A derivative is a financial contract whose value is linked to an underlying asset, rate, index, event, or benchmark.
A derivative instrument is a security or contract whose payoff depends on an underlying asset, price, rate, index, or credit event.
A stock returns note is a structured note whose payoff is linked to the performance of one or more underlying stocks.