[DavidC]

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I'm a moron, what are derrivatives?

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When you trade stocks, you actually own a piece of a business.

When you trade options or futures, for example, you don't OWN anything except the RIGHT to possibly own something, hence the term derivative.

Kinda like making a side bet with a friend on a poker hand that both of you are watching. You have no actual stake in the pot, but you've made a derivative bet on the outcome.

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Thanks a lot man.