Financial Instruments: Definition & Examples (2024)

FAQs

What is a financial instrument and examples? ›

In simple words, any asset which holds capital and can be traded in the market is referred to as a financial instrument. Some examples of financial instruments are cheques, shares, stocks, bonds, futures, and options contracts.

A financial instrument refers to any type of asset that can be traded by investors, whether it's a tangible entity like property or a debt contract. Financial instruments can also involve packages of capital used in investment, rather than a single asset.

Basic examples of financial instruments are cheques, bonds, securities. There are typically three types of financial instruments: cash instruments, derivative instruments, and foreign exchange instruments.

A financial instrument is an instrument that has monetary value or records a monetary transaction or any contract that imposes on one party a financial liability and represents to the other a financial asset or equity instrument. Stock, bonds, and options contracts are some examples of financial instruments.

Common examples of financial instruments include stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), bonds, derivatives contracts (such as options, futures, and swaps), checks, certificates of deposit (CDs), bank deposits, and loans.

The most common basic financial instruments are cash, trade debtors, trade creditors and most bank loans. For a debt instrument (receivable or payable) to be basic, returns to the holder must be: •a fixed amount; •a positive fixed rate or a positive variable rate; or.

Financial instruments are classified as financial assets or as other financial instruments. Financial assets are financial claims (e.g., currency, deposits, and securities) that have demonstrable value.

Holistically, insurance companies and pension funds are not usually considered to be financial instruments. Insurance companies offer insurance policies and annuities, which can be financial instruments. Pension funds use a variety of different financial instruments to invest across different asset allocations.

The following are examples of items that are not financial instruments: intangible assets, inventories, right-of-use assets, prepaid expenses, deferred revenue, warranty obligations (IAS 32. AG10-AG11), and gold (IFRS 9.

Financial instruments: equity, guarantees, and loans.

Who regulates financial instruments? ›

In total the PRA regulates approximately 1,500 financial institutions. The PRA has two statutory objectives: to promote the safety and soundness of these firms; and. to contribute to the securing of an appropriate degree of protection for policyholders (for insurers).

A vehicle that is classified as debt may be deemed a debt instrument. These range from traditional forms of debt including loans and credit cards, and fixed-income assets such as bonds and other securities.

A financial instrument is simply a contract between entities that represents the exchange of money for a certain asset. Financial instruments include most types of investments: cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), certificates of deposit (CDs), loans, derivatives, and more.

Not all financial instruments are securities, but all securities are financial instruments. Primarily, the securities (instruments) are designed to be traded on the secondary markets (creation of exchange). Some financial instruments can be converted into securities in a process called securitization.

Financial instruments are assets that can be traded or used for investment purposes. It can be broadly categorized into Equity-based (stocks, representing ownership in a company) and Debt-based (bonds, loans, representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower) securities.