Derivative

Derivative


 * A security whose price is dependent upon or derived from one or more underlying assets. The derivative itself is merely a contract between two or more parties. Its value is determined by fluctuations in the underlying asset. The most common underlying assets include stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, interest rates and market indexes. Most derivatives are characterized by high leverage.

- from [Investopedia]

Links

 * Derivative, on Investopedia
 * Derivative (finance), on Wikipedia
 * Definitions of derivatives on Google