Role of Financial Derivatives in Risk Management: Imran Ramzan
Role of Financial Derivatives in Risk Management: Imran Ramzan
Role of Financial Derivatives in Risk Management: Imran Ramzan
Imran Ramzan1
1. Introduction
The word risk is termed to different meanings to different people (Adams, 2014). There
is disagreement about the meaning of word risk among people. The word risk is used by the
people to address different terms (Rajic, 2015). Johansen and Rausand (2014) stated that you
would probably receive the various responses upon asking the people what they meant by the
word risk. Aven and Renn (2009) described the risk term as an event with uncertainty and
severity and outcomes of an activity that human value. Rajic (2015) defined the risk term as the
probability of injury to an employee. So, risk is a situation where actual outcome deviate from
expected outcome. Risk is categorized into two forms such as internal risk and external risk.
Internal risks are controllable while external risks are not in our control. Risk management
refers to the process of understanding, mitigation and sharing of risk.
Risk management plays a key role in the financial industry and an integral part of it.
Markets and risk management practices grow with the progress of business. The growth of the
business and market expansion pose challenges for managing the risk. As a result, financial
instruments evolved to manage the risks which are known as financial derivatives. Rao (2012)
stated that derivatives are contracts where the yields of contracts depend upon on underlying
value. The underlying can be an interest rate, commodity or currency. Emira Kozarevic et al.
(2014) defined the derivatives as securities whose values depend upon the underlying assets.
The assets can be a commodity, bond, foreign exchange rate, stock and weather disaseters
(Hanic, 2014). Malleswari (2013) stated that there are different forms of contract but most
common forms include futures, forwards, options and swaps.
Financial derivative is a tool used by the companies to manage the risk. In simple word,
it is used to hedge the risk which is being faced by the company. There are two important
functions which are played by the financial derivatives namely hedging and speculation. Hedge
instruments are used with an attempt to reduce the risk level attached with the underlying
transactions (Hausin et al., 2008). Hedgers protect their assets or liabilities from the adverse
change by entering into derivative contract. Speculation presumes the financial risk with the
prediction of gain from market fluctuations (Dunbar, 2016). Hedging and speculation are the
two sides of same coin (Chui, 2012). Therefore, financial derivative play key role for managing
risk. The efficient use of financial derivatives reduces risk level and increases rate of return.
Thus, it is improving the financial health of business and climate.
1
PhD Scholar Finance and Banking at Kadir Has University - Istanbul
Paul Embrechts et al. (2006) defined the market risk as the risk that will change the
investment value resulting from the movement of market risk factors. Market risk is a risk
which is faced by the Commerical banks, investment banks, financial institutions, insurance
companies, non-financial institutions and all the other firms which are operating domestically
and globally. Firms concern are to manage the market risk at such level that it increases the
firm values and save its costs. Market risk can be categorised into equity risk, interest rate risk,
commodity risk and exchange rate risk (Dowd, 2002; Paul Embrechts et al., 2006). However,
market risk can be easily differentiated from other types of risk esepecially from operational
risk and credit risk. The importance of market risk cannot be ignored due to increase in the
number of transactions across country borders.
The existence of market imperfection, financial distress situation, agency problems, and
taxes are costly for a firm which lead a firm to hedge their risk that increase the firm value
(Muller and Verschoor, 2005). Financial distress situation occur when a firm unable to pay its
financial obligations. But, using the derivative instruments reduces its costs. Thus, firm with low
liquidity and high leverage position can get the incentives through financial derivatives by
hedging its risky activities. Agency problem arises due to the conflict between manager and
shareholders which lead towards underinvestment problem. The issue can be resolved with the
help of hedging which redistribute the cash. Similarly, firms having convex tax liabilities have an
incentive for using the financial derivatives. Because, under convex functions, profitability of
firm is close to zero. So, it is in the interest of firm to use hedging activities to mitigate its risks.
The paper will primarily deal with the market risk and will attempt to answer the questions that
what is market risk? How to measure the market risk? What are the methods to measure the
market risk and how to manage it?
Uylangco and Li (2015) examined a study on the evaluation of value at risk model and its
effectiveness by taking the evidence of Australian banks. The study focused to determine
whether the selection of parameters and methodology help the banks during crisis for holding
an adequate capital. Although, large criticisms had been made on the VaR over downside risk
but historical model and one year parameter of VaR give the better estimation as compare to
the long term. The finding revealed the high violation of VaR estimation under the simulation of
Monte Carlo.
Simone Varotto (2011) investigated the new capital criteria and its impact on trading
portfolio as directed by the Basel III committee. Stressed VaR and pre crisis VaR have been used
in order to estimate the requirements of capital for the portfolio of corporate bonds as traded.
The results are obtained by estimating the VaR under the condition of stress during the period
of crisis and it revealed that market risk is associated with the portfolio of corporate bond. In a
study of Acharya and Richardson (2009), expected short fall and VaR have been recommended
for the division of aggregate loses associated with different components. These approaches will
be useful and provide the estimation of marginal expected shortfall of banks under collective
shocks and its contribution in aggregate risk. Alexander and Sheedy (2008) formulated a
methodology in order to investigate the market risk under stress conditions which contain both
the fat tails and volatility. The increase in the relevance statistics and target probability can be
obtained with the help of these tests.
Emira Kozarevic et al. (2014) conducted a study on derivatives usage for risk
management in emerging economies by taking the evidence of non-financial firms of
Herzegovina and Bosnia. They showed that banks play an important role in the Over the
counter market by offering the various kinds of derivative instruments. They explicit stated that
there is low demand for the use of derivatives due to the lack of knowledge about derivatives
benefits and less business opeations in global markets. Gibson (2007) analyzed the relationship
between credit derivatives and risk management from the perspective of commerical banks,
investment banks and investors. He described that market users use the credit derivative as an
important instrument for risk management. The risk on the offered loans is managed through
credit derivatives by the commerical banks. The investment banks manage the underwritting
securities risk with the help of credit derivatives. Similarly, the risk of credit exposure is aligned
with the credit risk profile thorugh the use of credit derivatives by investors. He also reproted
the challenges of model risk, counterparty risk, rating agency risk and settlement risk being
pose by the credit derivatives during risk management.
Malleswari (2013) studied the derivatives role in risk management practices. He stated
that change in the technology and growth of the international trade increase the volatility in
market. As a result, demand of derivative instruments increase for better risk management. He
also reported the three benefits of derivatives such as risk management, discovery of price and
improved liquidity position. He described that why the credit derivatives are viewed negatively.
It is not because of the instrument but due to the reason that how they are traded and used in
the market. Financial derivatives are used as a hedging method that helps the organization to
exchange the risk from one group to another group. The different strategies are used by
organization in order to manage the risks which face in business life.
Masry (2006) conducted the study on the usage of derivatives for UK non-financial firms
and its risk management practices. The study aimed to find out the reasons for using the
derivatives as well as not using it for risk management. The study results revealed that small
and medium firms did not use the derivatives as much as the large firms used. Similarly,
derivatives are largely used and practiced by public companies instead of private companies.
The results also indicated that most of firms did not use derivatives due to insignificant
exposure and its disclosure as required by FASB rules. The study reported that derivatives are
widely used to manage the foreign exchange and interest rate risk. He also found that cash
flows volatility is main reason for hedging. Afza and Alam (2011) analyzed the factors of FX
derivatives which affect on the non-financial firms decision marking. Logit model and non-
parametric tests applied in order to obtain results. They found that fx derivatives are used by
those firms having foreign sales in order to reduce the expsoure of foreign exchange rate. The
firms of large size with fiancial distressed positions and financial constraints are more potential
firms to use the foreign exchange rate.
Sprcic (2007) examined the derivatives roles in risk management practices by taking the
evidence from large non-financial firms of Slovenian and Croatian. The study concluded the
findings and disclosed that swaps and forwards are essential derivatives in Slovenian and
Croatian. He also uncovered that future contracts are important for the companies of Slovenian
as compared to the companies of Croatian, while over the counter options and exchange
traded instruments are not essential for both countries in order to manage the risk. The
comparative study also gave the evidence that companies of Slovenian use all kinds of
instruments in order manage their risks than Croatian companies. The decision to use
derivatives depends upon the company size in Slovenian companies whereas Croatian
companies make the decision of derivatives usage on the basis of investment expenditures to
asset ratio.
Kapitsinas (2008) examined derivatives contracts usages of non-financial firms for risk
management by taking the evidence from Greece. A survey was sent to 110 non-financial firms
for the purpose of collecting data and informations about derivatives usage. The study results
reported that mostly interest rate is hedge through derivatives contacts and thereafter foreign
exchange risks by non-financial firms. Moreover, firms didn’t seem to control its risks pertaining
to equity. The large size of non-financial firms widely practice derivatives in their routine
transactions as compared to small size non-financial firms. The finding indicated that 33.9
percent of non-financial firm used financial derivatives to manage their interest rate risk. The
disclosure of informations and accounting treatments were major concerns for derivative users.
The non-financial firms followed the risk assessment process with sophisticated techinques and
used the derivatives under documented corporate policy. The other non-financial firms which
did not used derivatives due to inadequate risk exposure.
Fantini (2014) explored the comparative study of financial derivatives usage of non-
financial firms by taking the evidence from Italy and United Kingdom. The study focused to find
the hedging determinants and its types used for hedging purpose. The findings reported that
use of derivatives placed high costs which is unaffordable for businesses operating at small
scale. The fx rate is singinificant for UK sample and insignificant for italy due to their trade
withing european countries. However, interest rate is relevant for both countries. Both
countries manage the interest rate risk through financial instruments. The small and medium
firms exposed to long term debt which result high expsoure of interest rate. The high interest
rate exposure placed high cost of borrowing which could expose the financial distress situation.
As a result, firms operating at large scale move to hedge their risks. The study found that
interest rate is significant for both countries. It also reported that firm’s size is core variable
with respect to derivative adoption and its incentives.
Before the development of the portfolio theory, investors make the investment decision
on the basis of return and ignore the risk factor. But, Markowitz (1952, 1959) originated the
portfolio theory for risk measurement which postulates that investors will make decision on the
basis of expected return between portfolios. Portfolio risk can be measured with the help of
standard deivation. Similarly, focus will be on the individual asset risks (Grant, 2001). So keeing
the other things constant, an investor will choose portfolio which give maximum return with
smallest standard deviation and such portfolio is called as an efficent portfolio. A rational
investor will always find a portfolio which meets that conditions and will choose the efficient
portfolio. Some efficient portfolios posses more risky elements that will give the expected
return higher as compare to least risky. Threrefore, a risk averse investor will choose a portfolio
which give small expected return and small standard deviation. On the other hand, an investor
with less risk averse nature will go for a portfolio having higher expected return.
The theory developed by Sharpe and Lintner (1964, 1965) and refined by various scholar
such as Black and Merton. When the discussion of Markowitz theory ends then capital market
theory begins. The final output of the theory is Capital Asset Pricing Model. The model contains
market and individual stocks portfolio and finds out the required rate of return by pricing risky
assets. The assumptions of the capital market theory are same of portfolio theory with some
additional. However, ignoring those assumptions might have a minor effect on conclusion. Risk
free asset lead the portfolio theory into the introduction of capital market theory. Therefore,
risk free asset having zero variance is main factor for the development of capital market theory.
The arbitrage pricing theory was introduced by the Ross in 1976 as an alternative to
CAPM. The theory has less assumption as compare to CAPM and also overcome the weakness
of Capital Asset Pricing model as well. The arbitrage pricing model measures potential assets
ability to produce the profit or loss. The model attempts to relate the expected rate of return
with the sensitivities factor of the primitive securities. Therefore, factor model is the core
ingredient in APT, whereas multifactor models have an ability to measure the systematic risk of
an asset. It asserts that expected return of an asset has linear relationship with covariance of
random variables. The covariance is a risk that diversification does not allow an investor to
avoid it (Huberman and Wang, 2005).
Avdulaj (2011) stated that the extreme value theory take into the account of those
events which have high severity and low frequency. In simple word, it focuses on the event
whose probability for occurrence is very low but impact could be catastrophic. The threshold
exceedances and block maxima are the two main approaches for modeling the extreme value
theory.
Traditionally, the management of market risk was depending upon the nominal values
of individual positions. The risk exposure of financial instruments and its nominal values were
directly proportional to each other (Resti and Sironi, 2007). The modern approach to measure
the market risk is Value at Risk (VaR), Expected Shortfall and stress testing.
It attempts to determine the portfolio loss under distress situation. It is an approach which
measures the market risk on the basis of loss distribution (Avdulaj, 2011). The VaR does not
fulfill the purpose if it does not have probability and risk horizon specification. The time horizon
for the loss could be a day, month, quarter or year. The VaR helps to answers the question that
how much the things get bad. The importance of the VaR can be seen as that it becomes the
part of Basel Committee which bound the bank to test their VaR model on regular basis. There
are three approaches which are followed in order to calculate the VaR named as Historical,
Monte Carlo and Analytic.
The expected shortfall helps to answer that if things get bad then how much a company
expect to lose it. It is also known as Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR). The expected shortfall has
two parameters confidence level and time horizon which is measured in term of days. So, it is
closely connected with Value at Risk but express better that what could be happened in worst
case. Therefore, it is more natural approach to measure the risk as compare to VaR by giving
the greater visibility over tail loss distribution.
Stress testing is an approach which based on the stimulation technique of computer for
measuring the market risk for certain time period under the conditions of abnormal market.
Hughes and Macdonald (2002) stated that stress testing gives the summarized information of
firm’s extreme exposure under possible circumstances. Similarly, Resti and Sironi (2007)
described that stress testing helps to manage and indentify the exceptional losses under
simulated conditions by revaluating the portfolio.
Institutions from all over the world try to learn and use the VaR methodology as a tool
of risk control as well as for measuring the overall risk exposure. The traders can complement
its position limits through the limits of VaR which is helpful for risk and leverage. The exposure
of the global risk can be monitored with the help of VaR by considering the diversification. The
evolution of the VaR application shifted to defensive nature. Now, the VaR evolved itself at
such level that helps to institutions for making decision about risk and return. Thus, VaR has
been evolved as an active risk management tool. With the help of VaR, competitive position can
be identified across sectors (Jorion, 2007). The allocation of the economic capital can be
decided by taking into account the risk level of business. The evolution of the VaR application
can be seen through the below diagram.
An investor makes an average profit of $80,000 through trading desk on each day with a
standard deviation of $45000 and normally distributed. Calculate the relative and absolute VaR
for a confidence level of 95% and 99%.
It can be seen in the z-score table that 99% and 95% distribution for a random variable above
the mean is below than from a point of 2.326 and 1.645 standard deviations respectively.
Under losses situation, the mean value will be – 80000 and standard deviation 45000.
VaR0.99 = $24,670
VaR0.99 = $104,670
VaR0.95 = - $5,975
VaR0.95 = $85,975
10
The portfolio analyst is looking to compute the 5% VaR for a portfolio containing two categories
of assets. The first category includes stocks which are traded on Istanbul Stock exchange with
an expected return of 12% and standard deviation is 10% on annual basis. The second category
contains stocks which are traded on Pakistan stock exchange with an expected return of 15%
and standard deviation is 22% on annual basis. The annual correlation between the two
categories of assets is 0.80. The market value is $10 million of the portfolio. The proportion of
investment is 60% and 40% in the two categories of portfolio, respectively.
As, we know that expected return of the portfolio (ISE and PSE) is weighted average of the
expected return of its stocks. Similarly, variance of the portfolio is covariance and weighted
average variance of portfolio stocks.
So,
µP = W1*µ1 + W2*µ2
σ2𝑝 = 0.01979
σ𝑝 =14.07%
VaR0.95 = - $994,515
The above value means that portfolio analyst is 95% confident that total loss will not be greater
than from $994,515.
11
Exchange traded derivatives are those which are traded through stock exchange. On the
other hand, over the counter derivatives are those financial instruments whose terms and
conditions are settled between two parties through negotiation. Although, the core purpose of
derivatives are to control the certain level of risks but they are also utilized for the purpose of
speculative activities by taking more risk in order to increase the return. Therefore, whether
activity is trade base or over the counter, firms are in position to mitigate their risk with the
help of financial derivatives. So, it is not hard to say that financial derivatives play a key role in
emerging markets. There are various approaches to estimate the risk but in this paper, VaR has
been used to measure the risk.
Financial derivative is a tool used by the companies to manage the risk. In simple word,
it is used to hedge the risk which is being faced by the company. There are two important
functions which are played by the financial derivatives namely hedging and speculation. Hedge
instruments are used with an attempt to reduce the risk level attached with the underlying
transactions. Hedgers protect their assets or liabilities from the adverse change by entering into
derivative contract. Speculation presumes the financial risk with the prediction of gain from
market fluctuations. Therefore, financial derivative play key role for managing risk. The efficient
use of financial derivatives reduces risk level and increases rate of return. Thus, it is improving
the financial health of business and climate.
12
Adams, Ј., (2014). Managing Risk: framing your problems, BoeringerIngelheim Alumni Seminar,
SchlossGracht, Cologne 9-11
Alexander, C,, Sheedy, E,, (2008) “Developing a stress testing framework based on market risk
models”, Journal of Banking and Finance, 32, p,2220-2236
Avdulaj, K. (2011). “The Extreme Value Theory as a Tool to Measure Market Risk” IES Working
Paper 26/2011. IES FSV. Charles University
Aven, T., Renn, O., (2009).On risk defined as an event where the outcome is uncertain. Journal
of Risk Research, 12, 1 – 11.
Chaudhury, M. (2016). Why Basel II Market Risk VaR is Too Conservative. Journal of Trading,
11(1), 6-12.
Chui, M. (2012). Derivatives markets, products and participants: an Overview. Switzerland: Bank
for international Settlement.
Dowd, K. (2002). An introduction to Market Risk Measurement. England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Emira Kozarevic, M. K. (2014). The Use of Financial Derivatives in Emerging Market Economies:
An Empirical Evidence from Bosnia and Herzegovina's Non-Financial Firms. Research in World
Economy, 5(1), 39-47.
Fantini, G. (2014). Financial Derivatives usage by UK & Italian SMEs.Empirical evidence from UK
& Italian non-financial firms. EprintsUnife, 1-155.
Grant, J. L. (2001). Modern Portfolio Theory, Capital Market Theory, and Asset Pricing Models.
Research Gate, 11-41.
13
Hanic, A. R. (2014). The use of Financial Derivatives in Risk Management Puroses of Non-
Financial firms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Research in World Economy, 66-77.
Hausin M., Hemmingsson C., Johansson J., 2008. How to Hedge Disclosures? IFRS 7 and Hedge
Accounting, Master thesis within Business Administration, Handelshögskolan Vıd Göteborgs
Universitet, Spring.
Ioan Trencaa, A. M. (2015). The assessment of market risk in the context of the current financial
crisis. Procedia Economics and Finance, 32, 1391-1406.
Johansen, I.L., Rausand, M., (2014). Foundations and choice of risk metrics, Safety Science 62
386–399
Jorion, P. (2007). Value at Risk: The New Benchmark for Managing Financial Risk. United State
of America: The McGraw Hill Companies.
Koksal, B,, Orhan, M,, (2012) “Market Risk of Developed and Developing Countries During the
Global Financial Crisis”, disponibil la
http://papers,ssrn,com/sol3/papers,cfm?abstract_id=2026781
Paul Embrechts, H. F. (2006). Different Kinds of Risk. Department of Mathematics (pp. 1-22).
Switzerland: ETH Zurich.
Rajić, A. Š. (2015). The Review of the Definition of Risk. Online Journal of Applied Knowledge
Management, 3(3), 17-19.
Shaofang Li, M. M. (2014). The Use of Financial Derivatives and Risks U.S. Bank Holding
Companies. International Review of Financial Analysis, 35, 46-71.
14
Varotto, S,, (2009) “Liquidity Risk, Credit Risk, Market Risk and Bank Capital”, ICMA Centre
Discussion Papers in Finance DP2011-02, University of Reading
Verschoor, A. M. (2005). The Impact of Corporate Derivative Usage on Foreign Exchange Risk
Exposure. Social Science Research Network, 1-49.
Vuillemey, G. (2014). Derivatives and Interest Rate Risk Management by Commercial Banks.
University of Lausanne, 1-46.
15