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Basic Question 1 of 11

A forward contract is ______.

A. the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an asset for a specified price by a specified date in the future
B. the right, but not the obligation, to sell an asset for a specified price on or before a specified date in the future
C. a legally binding agreement to purchase/sell an asset for a specified price on a specified date
D. an agreement to exchange cash flows within the coming year
E. an agreement to sell an asset for a specified price on a specified date with gains and losses recognized daily

User Contributed Comments 11

User Comment
anish Could somebody elaborate on the words "legally binding" since forwards are not standardized.
valeris Legally binding = you have to do it.
bobert I think the question means more of how it is legally binding if it is not put through a clearing company or regulated. To that I do not know either. I would imagine there is a legally binding contract however.
Bibhu I feel "specified date" should be changed to "specified future date"
bobert By definition, a contract is an agreement enforceable by law. So therefore, it is legally binding. They may not be standardized, but if it was not a contract, the party who ends up with a loss would never have to pay as it would not be legally binding.
magicchip @ anish: forward contract participants assume each others credit risk.
peteypete @ Bibhu: Why? You can't trade pasts, you trade futures! Common sense...
brahma Even these are not regulated by any exchange but they comply with something ISDA regulations ( International swaps and derivatives associations which specifies rules and regulations
johntan1979 A is the definition of a call option
To-be-CFA A: Call Option
B: Put Option
C: Forward Contract
D: Swaps, maybe.
E. Futures, since the settlement is daily.
ishan4442 It is legally binding, that's why if you fail to do it you are a default where as in options you will not be a default as you are not obliged to do so. Hope that answers :-)
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I am using your study notes and I know of at least 5 other friends of mine who used it and passed the exam last Dec. Keep up your great work!
Barnes

Barnes

Learning Outcome Statements

define forward contracts, futures contracts, swaps, options (calls and puts), and credit derivatives and compare their basic characteristics

CFA® 2025 Level I Curriculum, Volume 5, Module 2.