Key Information Documents (KID)

Overview: 

IBKR is required to provide EEA and UK retail customers with Key Information Documents (KID) for certain financial instruments.

Relevant products include ETFs, Futures, Options, Warrants, Structured Products, CFDs and other OTC products. Funds include both UCITS and non-UCITS funds available to retail investors.

Generally KIDs must be provided in an official language of the country in which a client is resident.

However, clients of IBKR have agreed to receive communications in English, and therefore if a KID is available in English all EEA and UK clients can trade the product regardless of their country of residence.

In cases where a KID is not available in English, IBKR additionally supports other languages as follows:

Language Can be traded by residents or citizens* of
German Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein
French France, Belgium and Luxembourg
Dutch the Netherlands and Belgium
Italian Italy
Spanish Spain

*regardless of country of residence

 

爱尔兰中央银行差价合约新规推行概述- 针对IBIE的零售客户

Overview: 

差价合约属于复杂金融产品,其交易存在高风险,由于杠杆的作用,可能会出现迅速亏损。

在通过IBKR交易差价合约时,零售投资者账户中有69.4%出现了亏损。

您应考虑自己是否理解差价合约的运作机制以及自己是否能够承受亏损风险。

爱尔兰中央银行(CBI)通过适用于零售投资者交易差价合约的新规则,自2019年8月1日起生效。专业客户不受影响。

法规包含:1) 杠杆限制;2) 以单个账户为单位的保证金平仓规则;3) 以单个账户为单位的负余额保护规则;4) 对交易差价合约激励措施的限制;以及 5) 标准的风险警告。

大多数客户(受监管的实体除外)一开始都会被分类为零售客户。某些情况下,IBKR可能会同意将零售客户重新分类为专业客户或将专业客户重新分类为零售客户。更多详细信息,请参见MiFID分类

The following sections detail how IBKR has implemented the CBI Decision.

1 杠杆限制

 1.1 保证金
CBI已设定不同层级的杠杆限制,视乎底层产品而定:

  • 货币对为3.33%;主要货币对为美元、加元、欧元、英镑、瑞郎、日元间的任意组合
  • 以下产品的杠杆限制为5%:
    • 非主要货币对为包含上方未列出货币的任意组合,如美元/离岸人民币
    • 主要指数为IBUS500、IBUS30、IBUST100、IBGB100、IBDE40、IBEU50、IBFR40、IBJP225、IBAU200
    • 黄金
  • 非主要股票指数为10%,包括IBES35、IBCH20、IBNL25、IBHK50
  • 个股的杠杆限制为20%

 1.2应用的保证金 - 标准保证金要求

除CBI 保证金要求外,IBKR会根据每只底层股票的历史波动率,建立其自有的保证金要求(IB保证金)。 如果IB的保证金高于CBI 规定的比例,我们将应用IB的保证金率。

有关IB和 CBI 的适用保证金详情,请查看此处

1.2.1应用的保证金 - 最低集中保证金要求

如果您的投资组合包含少量差价合约和/或股票仓位,或者如果最大的两种持仓占据了绝大多数份额,则您的账户将应用集中保证金。我们会通过对最大的两种持仓假设30%的跌幅、对其余持仓假设5%的跌幅来对您的投资组合进行压力测试。如果总亏损额高于股票和差价合约仓位加在一起的标准保证金要求,则将用总亏损额作为维持保证金要求。注意,差价合约和股票仓位一起计算保证金的情况下,只会应用集中保证金。

1.3初始保证金要求的资金

您只可使用现金作为初始保证金开立差价合约仓位。

最开始,所有用于注资账户的现金都可以用于差价合约交易。随着其它产品产生初始保证金要求以及现金被用于买入股票,可用现金会逐渐减少。如果您用现金买股票产生了保证金贷款,则即使账户有高额资产您也不会有资金进行差价合约交易。根据CBI 法规,我们不能为差价合约保证金增加保证金贷款。

已实现的差价合约盈利将包括在现金中且立即可用;现金无需先结算。然而,未实现的盈利不得用于满足初始保证金要求。

2 保证金平仓规则

2.1维持保证金计算与清算

如果符合条件的资产跌至开仓初始保证金的50%以下,CBI 要求IBKR清算最新的差价合约仓位。如果我们的风险观更为保守,IBKR可能会更早平仓仓位。这里的符合条件的资产包括差价合约现金和未实现的差价合约盈亏(正和负)。注意,差价合约现金不包括用于支撑其它产品保证金要求的现金。 

计算的基础为开立差价合约仓位时存入的初始保证金。 换言之,当差价合约持仓的价值发生变动时,初始保证金的金额不会变化,这与非差价合约持仓适用的保证金计算方式不同。

2.1.1举例

您账户中有2000欧元现金且没有未平仓的仓位。您想以100欧元的限价买入100份XYZ的差价合约。首先成交了50份合约,然后再成交其余的50份。随着您的交易成交,您的可用现金减少如下:

 

现金

净资产*

持仓

价格

价值

未实现盈亏

初始保证金

维持保证金

可用现金

维持保证金不足

交易前

2000

2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000

 

第一次交易后

2000

2000

50

100

5000

0

1000

500

1000

第二次交易后

2000

2000

100

100

10000

0

2000

1000

0

 *净资产等于现金加未实现盈亏

价格上涨至110。您的净资产现为3000,但由于您的可用现金仍为0,且在CBI 规则下初始保证金和维持保证金不变,因此您不得开立新的仓位:

 

现金

股票

持仓

价格

价值

未实现盈亏

初始保证金

维持保证金

可用现金

维持保证金不足

变化

2000

3000

100

110

11000

1000

2000

1000

0

 然后价格下跌至95。您的净资产跌至1500,但鉴于净资产仍大于1000,无需追加保证金:

 

现金

股票

持仓

价格

价值

未实现盈亏

初始保证金

维持保证金

可用现金

维持保证金不足

变化

2000

1500

100

95

9500

(500)

2000

1000

0

 价格进一步跌至85,导致保证金不足并触发清算:

 

现金

股票

持仓

价格

价值

未实现盈亏

初始保证金

维持保证金

可用现金

维持保证金不足

变化

2000

500

100

85

8500

(1500)

2000

1000

0

 3 负资产保护

CBI 规则规定,您交易差价合约的损失以划拨的专项资金为上限。不得清算其它金融产品(如股票或期货)来填补差价合约的保证金缺口。*

因此,非差价合约资产不算您的差价合约交易风险资本。 

如果您的损失超过了差价合约交易的专项资金,则IB必须划销损失。 

由于负资产保护对IBKR来说意味着要承担额外风险,对于隔夜持有的差价合约头寸我们会向零售客户额外收取1%的融资息差。您可在此处查看详细的差价合约融资利率。

*我们无法清算非差价合约头寸来弥补差价合约不足,但可以清算差价合约头寸来弥补非差价合约不足。

 

“EMIR”:交易报告库报告义务和盈透证券的委托报告服务

 

1. 背景:2008年金融危机爆发后,G20于2009年承诺推行一系列改革,旨在提高场外衍生品市场的透明度降低对手方风险。该等承诺大多数通过《欧洲市场基础设施监管法规》(“EMIR”)在欧盟得以落实。EMIR是欧盟制定的监管法规,于2012年8月16日生效。
 
2. 根据EMIR可报告的金融产品和资产类别:以下资产类别的场外和交易所交易衍生品:信贷、利息、股票、商品和外汇衍生品。交易所交易的权证不需要报告。
 
3. 谁需要进行EMIR报告:正常情况下,所有在欧盟成立的交易对手方均需进行报告,不包括自然人。报告义务适用于:
* 金融交易对手方(“FC”)
* 高于清算门槛的非金融交易对手方(“NFC+”)
* 低于清算门槛的非金融交易对手方(“NFC-”)
* 某些极少数情况下欧盟以外的第三国实体(“TCE”)
 
基本上,任何在欧盟成立的且参与衍生品合约交易的实体都需要进行报告。
 
4. 金融交易对手方(“FC”):包括银行、投资公司、信贷机构、保险公司、可转让证券集合投资计划(UCITS)和养老金计划以及由另类投资基金经理(AIFM)管理的另类投资基金。另类投资基金(AIF)只有在其基金经理系根据另类投资基金经理指令(AIFMD)获得授权的情况下才会成为金融交易对手方,因此,位于欧盟以外的基金可能会需要遵守EMIR报告要求。
 
5. 非金融交易对手方(“NFC”):非金融交易对手方是除FC和中央对手方(CCP)(如清算所)以外的在欧盟成立的企业。NFC承担的义务比FC少。但是,如果突破了“清算门槛”,NFC就会成为高于清算门槛的非金融交易对手方(“NFC+”),这时,其承担的义务就与FC的几乎一样了(包括抵押品和估值报告)。低于清算门槛的非金融交易对手方称为NFC-。事实上,除自然个人(即单个个人或操作一个联名账户的多名个人
)均被定义为NFC-,需要承担报告义务。
 
盈透证券的委托报告服务可助您履行报告义务
 
6. 盈透证券提供哪些服务帮助客户履行报告义务(即盈透证券会提供委托交易报告服务和帮助签发LEI吗):如上文所述,FC和NFC都必须向授权交易报告库(TR)上报其交易(场外和交易所交易衍生品)的详细信息。该等义务可直接通过交易报告库解除,也可以通过将报告操作委托给对手方或第三方(代为提交报告)来达成。
 
对于由其提供执行和清算服务的客户,盈透证券帮助签发LEI并提供委托报告服务,该等服务须征得客户同意,并且只在运营、法律和监管允许的范围内提供。
 
如果您需要进行EMIR报告,很快您便可以登录IB账户管理系统申请LEI并将报告委托给盈透证券。
 
我们还会纳入估值报告,但只有在法律和监管允许的范围内,且在对手方被要求上报的情况下(即对手方是FC或NFC+的情况下)才会进行。
 
但是,盈透证券会使用自己的交易估值进行报告。
 
7. EMIR报告可以委托吗:EMIR允许交易的任意一方将报告委托给第三方。交易的任意一方或CCP将报告委托给了第三方后,仍对遵守报告义务负有最终责任。同样,交易的任意一方或CCP必须确保接受其委托的第三方正确地进行报告。经纪商和交易商如果仅仅只是以代理的身份行事则没有报告义务。如果一笔大宗买卖导致出现多笔交易,则每笔交易都需上报。
 
基金与子基金 - EMIR规定的义务是针对交易对手方而言的,而交易对手方可能是基金或子基金。作为交易主角的基金或子基金须提供有关其分类(FC、NFC+或NFC-)的详细信息,还须提供委托报告和法律实体识别号码(“LEI”)申请相关 的授权。
 
8. EMIR第1(4)和1(5)条的豁免规定:EMIR第1(4)和1(5)条提到,某些实体根据其分类可免除EMIR规定的部分或全部义务。具体来说,第1(4)条的豁免实体可免除EMIR规定的所有义务,而第1(5)条的豁免实体可免除报告义务以外的所有义务,也就是仍须履行报告义务。
 
9. 符合EMIR第1(4)条和1(5)条要求的实体:第1(4)条最初只适用于欧盟国家的中央银行、涉及公共债务管理的欧盟公共机构和国际清算银行。后来,
第1(4)条豁免的适用范围得以扩展,纳入了美国和日本的的中央银行和债务管理办公室。欧盟委员会表示,未来会有更多外国中央银行和债务管理办公室被纳入豁免范畴,前提是委员会确信该等行政辖区内有同等力度的监管。第1(5)条对以下类别的实体予以豁免:
- 多边开发银行;
- 由中央政府所有且提供担保的非商业公营实体;以及
- 欧洲金融稳定基金和欧洲稳定机制。
 
10. 场外和交易所交易衍生品:从第一层法规、执行技术标准和欧洲证券和市场管理局(ESMA)的监管技术标准来看,交易所交易衍生品和场外交易合约的报告并没有什么不同。
 
合约会采用独一无二的产品识别码进行识别。此外,交易还需要有独一无二的交易识别码。如果没有一个全球公认的产品识别码系统,则建议考虑用国际证券识别码(ISIN)、另类产品识别码(AII)或金融产品分类编码(CFI)作为替代。
 
11. 盈透证券使用的交易报告库:盈透证券(英国)有限公司将使用CME ETR(从属于CME集团)的服务。
 
12. LEI的签发
 
所有参与衍生品交易的欧盟交易对手方均必须持有LEI才能履行报告义务。LEI将用于报告交易对手方数据。
 
LEI是与法人或法律结构挂钩的唯一识别号码或代码,可供准确识别金融交易的各方。
 
“EMIR”:有关报告义务的更多信息
 
13. 用于确定一个NFC是NFC+还是NFC-的门槛值:超出下方任意一项清算门槛均意味着将被归类为NFC+。持仓必须按30天滚动平均值计算(名义价值):
• 场外信用衍生品合约为10亿欧元总名义价值;
• 场外股票衍生品合约为10亿欧元总名义价值;
• 场外利率衍生品合约为30亿欧元总名义价值;
• 场外外汇衍生品合约为30亿欧元总名义价值;
• 场外大宗商品衍生品合约和上方未提及的其它场外衍生品合约为30亿欧元总名义价值。
 
在计算是否突破清算门槛时,NFC必须将其集团内所有非金融实体的交易加总在一起(需确定该等实体是在欧盟以内还是在欧盟以外),但要减去为了对冲或财务目的进行的交易。这里的“对冲交易”是指客观可衡量为降低与NFC或其所属集团的商业活动或融资活动直接相关之风险的交易。
 
14. 风险敞口报告:FC和NFC必须上报以下信息:
 
* 各合约的按市值计价或按模型计价价值
* 提供的所有抵押品的详细信息,按交易或者按投资组合(即按一系列合约产生的净持仓计算抵押品,而不是按单笔交易提供的抵押品)报告
 
15. 向交易报告库进行报告的时间安排:开始报告的日期为2014年2月12日:
 
* 2月12日或之后达成的新合约,按T+1报告;
* 由2012年8月16日或之后达成之合约产生的、且到2014年2月12日仍未平仓的仓位必须在2014年2月12日之前上报至交易报告库;
* 由8月16日之前达成之合约产生的、且到2014年2月12日仍未平仓的合约必须在2014年5月13日之前上报至交易报告库;
* 估值和抵押品必须在2014年8月12日之前上报至交易报告库;
* 2012年8月16日之前、当天或之后达成的合约,如果到2014年2月12日已平仓,则必须在2017年2月12日之前上报至交易报告库。
 
16. 需要上报的信息以及上报时间:必须上报每笔交易的交易对手方(交易对手方数据)和合约(通用数据)。
 
交易对手方数据有26项,通用数据有59项。ESMA监管技术标准附件的表1和2详细列出了该等需要上报至交易报告库的项目。
 
在以下情形下,交易对手方和CCP必须进行上报:
 
* 达成合约时
* 修改合约时
* 终止合约时
 
上报时间必须不晚于合约达成、修改或终止后一个工作日。
 
17. 什么产品需要上报以及谁负责上报:场外交易衍生品和交易所交易衍生品都需要上报。交易的对手方无论其分类如何,都有报告义务。请注意:
 
* 只有FC和NFC+需要进行估值和抵押品报告
* 每笔交易交易双方都需要上报。
 
本信息仅用于指导使用盈透证券清算服务的客户
 
注:以上信息不作为全面穷尽式指南,也不是对法规的权威性解释,而是对ESMA的EMIR法规和对应交易报告库报告义务相关信息的总结。

 

TWS Account Window for Retail Clients of IBKR Ireland and Central Europe

Overview: 

This article describes the information provided in the TWS account window for IBKRs EU based entities.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR.

You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

 

Background: 

Retail clients who are residents of the EEA and therefore maintain an account with one of IBKR’s European brokers, IBIE or IBCE, are subject to EU regulations which introduce leverage and other restrictions applicable to CFD transactions.

Notably the regulations require the use of free cash to satisfy CFD margin requirements and prohibit retail clients from using securities in the account as collateral to borrow funds to initiate or maintain a CFD position. Please see Overview of ESMA CFD Rules Implementation for Retail Clients at IBIE and IBCE for full details.

The accounts of IBKRs EU entities are universal accounts in which clients can trade all asset classes available on IBKRs platform, but unlike IBKRs US and UK entities, there are no separately funded segments.

Working examples of how this restriction is applied, along with details as to how clients can monitor free cash available for CFD transactions, are outlined below.

Account Window

IBKR enforces the restriction relating to free cash by calculating the funds available for CFD trading on a real-time basis, rejecting new orders and liquidating existing positions when the available free cash is insufficient to cover CFD initial and maintenance margin requirements.

IBKR offers clients the ability to monitor free cash available for CFD transactions via an enhancement to the TWS Account Window which displays the level of free cash in the account. Importantly, the funds shown as available for CFD trading do not imply that cash is held in a separate segment. It simply indicates what proportion of total account balances is available for CFD trading.

For example, assume that an account has EUR 9,705 in cash and no positions. All the cash is available to open CFD positions, or positions in any other asset class:

If the account now purchases 10 shares of AAPL stock for an aggregate value of USD 1,383 the cash in the account is reduced by a corresponding amount in EUR, and the funds available for CFD trading are reduced by the
same amount:

 

Note that Total available funds are reduced by a smaller amount, corresponding to the stock margin requirement.

If, instead of buying AAPL stock, the account buys 10 AAPL CFDs the impact will be different. As the transaction involves a derivative contract rather than the purchase of the underlying asset itself, there’s no reduction in cash but the funds available for CFDs are reduced by the CFD margin requirement to secure performance on the contract:

In this case Total available funds and CFD available funds are reduced by an equal amount; the CFD margin requirement.

Funding

As noted above, EU-based accounts do not have segments and therefore there is no need for internal transfers. Funds are available for trades in all asset classes in the amounts indicated in the account window, without the need for sweeps or transfers.

Note also that should an account have a margin loan, i.e. negative cash, it will not be possible to open CFD positions since the CFD margin requirement must be satisfied by free, positive cash. Should you have a margin loan and wish to trade CFDs you must first either close margin positions to eliminate the loan, or add cash to the account in an amount that covers the margin loan and creates a cash buffer sufficient for the necessary CFD margin.

IBKR Metals CFDs – Facts and Q&A

Overview: 

The following article is intended to provide a general introduction to London Gold and Silver Contracts for Differences (CFDs) issued by IBKR.

Please follow these links for information on IBKR Share CFDs, Index CFDs and Forex CFDs.

Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR.

You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the
high risk of losing your money.

 

ESMA Rules for CFDs (Retail Clients only)
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has enacted new CFD rules effective 1st August
2018.

The rules include: 1) leverage limits on the opening of a CFD position; 2) a margin close out rule on a per
account basis; and 3) negative balance protection on a per account basis.

The ESMA Decision is only applicable to retail clients. Professional clients are unaffected.
Please refer to the following articles for more detail:

ESMA CFD Rules Implementation at IBKR (UK) and IBKR LLC

ESMA CFD Rules Implementation at IBIE and IBCE

Introduction
A London Gold CFD enables you to have exposure to price movements of physical Gold without actually owning it. A London Gold CFD is an agreement between you and IBKR to exchange the difference in price of the underlying over a period of time. The difference to be exchanged is determined by the change in the reference price of the underlying. Thus, if the price of physical Gold traded on the London bullion market rises and you are long the CFD, you receive cash from IBKR and vice versa. A London Gold CFD can be bought long or sold short to suit your view of market direction in the future.

Contract Specifications

Contract IBKR Symbol Per Trade Fee Minimum per Order Multiplier
London Gold XAUUSD 0.015% USD 2.00 1
London Silver XAGUSD 0.03% USD 2.00 1

Price Determination
The IBKR London Gold and Silver CFDs reference physical Gold and Silver traded on the London bullion market. The London bullion market is a wholesale over-the-counter market for the trading of precious metals. Trading is conducted among members of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Most of the members are major international banks.

IBKR receives quote streams from approximately 10 such major banks, in much the same way it does for cash forex. IBKR Smart routes between the banks, and the best available price at any given time becomes the reference price for the CFDs. IBKR does not add a spread to the banks’ quotes.

Low Commissions and Financing Rates: Unlike other CFD providers IBKR charges a transparent
commission, rather than widening the spread. Commission rates are only 0.015% for London Gold and 0.03% for London Silver. Overnight financing rates are just benchmark +/- 1.5% (an additional 1% surcharge is added for retail accounts).

Transparent Quotes: Because IBKR does not widen the spread, the Metals CFD quotes accurately
represent the spreads and price movements of the related cash metal, as described above.

Margin Efficiency: IBKR establishes house-margin requirements based on historic volatility of the
underlying and other factors. Retail clients are subject to regulatory minimum initial margins of 5% for
London Gold or 10% for London Silver. 

Trading Permissions: Same as for Share and Index CFDs.

Market Data Permissions: Metals CFD market data is free, but a permission is required for system
reasons.

Worked Trade Example (Professional Clients):

You purchase 100 XAUUSD CFDs at $1,942.5 for USD 194,250 which you then hold for 5 days.

Closing the Position

CFD Resources
Below are some useful links with more detailed information on IB’s CFD offering:

CFD Product Listings

CFD Commissions

CFD Financing Rates

CFD Margin Requirements

CFD Contract Specifications

Frequently asked Questions

Are short Metals CFDs subject to forced buy-in?
No.

Can I take delivery of the underlying metal?

No, IBKR does not support physical delivery for Metals CFDs.

Are there any market data requirements?
The market data for Metal CFDs is free, and is included the market data for Index CFDs. However, you need to subscribe to the permission for system reasons. To do this, log into Account Management, and click through the following tabs: Settings/User Settings/Trading Platform/Market Data Subscriptions. Alternatively you can set up an Index or Metals CFD in your TWS quote monitor and click the “Market Data Subscription Manager” button that appears on the quote line.

How are my CFD trades and positions reflected in my statements?
If you are a client of IBKR (U.K.) or IBKR LLC, your CFD positions are held in a separate account segment identified by your primary account number with the suffix “F”. You can choose to view Activity Statements for the F-segment either separately or consolidated with your main account. You can make the choice in the statement window in Account Management.

If you are a client of other IBKR entities, there is no separate segment. You can view your positions normally alongside your non-CFD positions.

In what type of IB accounts can I trade CFDs e.g., Individual, Friends and Family,
Institutional, etc.?

All margin and cash accounts are eligible for CFD trading. 

Can I trade CFDs over the phone?
No. In exceptional cases we may agree to process closing orders over the phone, but never opening
orders.

Can anyone trade IB CFDs?
All clients can trade IB CFDs, except residents of the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and
Israel. There are no exemptions based on investor type to the residency-based exclusions.

Bonus Certificates Tutorial

Introduction
Bonus certificates are designed to provide a predictable return in sideways markets, and market returns in rising markets.

At the time they’re issued, bonus certificates normally have a term to maturity of two to four years. You will receive a specified cash pay-out (“bonus level” or “Strike”) if at maturity the price of the underlying is below or at the strike, as long as the underlying instrument has not touched or fallen below an established price level (“safety threshold” or “barrier”) during the term of the certificate.

Unless the certificate has a cap, you continue to participate in the price gains if the underlying instrument rises above the bonus level. In this case you either receive the corresponding number of shares or a cash settlement reflecting the value of the underlying instrument on the maturity date.

However, if the barrier is breached, you will no longer be entitled to the bonus payment. The value of the certificate then corresponds to the value of the underlying (times the ratio). In other words, once the barrier has been touched the certificate effectively converts to an index certificate. You will receive either the corresponding number of shares or a cash settlement reflecting the value of the underlying instrument on the maturity date.

Although there is no structured leverage, the presence of the barrier creates effective leverage. When the price of the underlying instrument approaches the barrier the probability of a breach increases, affecting the price of the certificate disproportionately.

Pay-out Profile

Example

Assume a bonus certificate on ABC share. The certificate has a strike of EUR 45.00 and a barrier set at EUR 36.00. The table below shows scenarios depending on the trading range of the underlying, the final price of the underlying and whether the barrier has been touched or not.

Warrant Tutorial

Introduction
A warrant confers the right to buy (call-warrant) or sell (put-warrant) a specific quantity of a specific underlying instrument at a specific price over a specific period of time.

Pay-out Profile

With some warrants, the option right can only be exercised on the expiration date. These are referred to as “European-style” warrants. With “American-style” warrants, the option right can be exercised at any time prior to expiration. The vast majority of listed warrants are cash-exercised, meaning that you cannot exercise the warrant to obtain the underlying physical share. The exception to this rule is Switzerland, where physically settled warrants are widely available.

IBKR does allow for US and Canadian warrant exercise. Customers wishing to do so should submit a Customer Service ticket stating the name/symbol of the warrant, the quantity of shares and the intended action (i.e. exercise). The broker will pass through all associated exercise costs to the customer upon completion of the request. US or Canadian warrants are not eligible for auto-exercise at expiration. Warrants remaining in an account at expiration will be removed as worthless.

Factors that influence pricing
Not only do changes in the price of the underlying instrument influence the value of a warrant, a number of other factors are also involved. Of particular importance to investors in this regard are changes in volatility, i.e. the degree to which the price of the underlying instrument fluctuates. In addition, changes in interest rates and the anticipated dividend payments on the underlying instrument also play a role.

However, changes in implied volatility - as well as interest rates and dividends - only affect the time value of a warrant. The primary driver - intrinsic value - is solely determined by the difference between the price of the underlying instrument and the specified exercise price.

Historical and implied volatility
In addressing this topic, a differentiation has to be made between historical and implied volatility. Implied volatility reflects the volatility market participants expect to see in the financial instrument in the days and months ahead. If implied volatility for the underlying instrument increases, so does the price of the warrant.

This is because the probability of profiting from a warrant during a particular time-frame increases if the price of the underlying instrument is highly volatile. The warrant is therefore more valuable.

Conversely, if implied volatility decreases, that leads to a decline in the value of warrants and hence occasionally to nasty surprises for warrant investors who aren’t familiar with the concept and influence of volatility.

Interest rates and dividends
Issuers hedge themselves against price changes in the warrant through purchases and sales of the underlying instrument. Due to the leverage afforded by warrants, the issuer needs considerably more capital to hedge its exposure than you require to buy the warrants. The issuer’s interest expense associated with that capital is included in the price of the warrant. The amount of embedded interest reduces over time and at expiration is zero.

In the case of puts, the situation is exactly the opposite. Here, the issuer sells the underlying instrument
short to establish the necessary hedge, and in so doing receives capital that can earn interest. Thus interest reduces the price of the warrant by an amount that decreases over time.

As the issuer owns shares as a part of its hedging operations, it is entitled to receive the related dividend
payments. That additional income reduces the price of call warrants and increases the price for puts. But if the dividend expectations change, that will have an influence on the price of the warrants. Unanticipated special dividends on the underlying instrument can lead to a price decline in the related warrants.

Key valuation factors
Let’s assume the following warrant:
Warrant Type: Call
Term to expiration: 2 years
Underlying : ABC Share
Share price: EUR 30.00
Strike: EUR 30.00
Exercise ratio: 0.1
Warrant’s price: EUR 0.30

Intrinsic value
Intrinsic value represents the amount you could receive if you exercised the warrant immediately and then bought (in the case of a call) or sold (put) the underlying instrument in the open market.

It’s very easy to calculate the intrinsic value of a warrant. In our example the intrinsic value is EUR 00.00
and is calculated as follows:

(price of underlying instrument – strike price) x exercise ratio
= (EUR 30.00 – EUR 30.00) x 0.1

= EUR 00.00

If the price of the ABC share increases by EUR 1, the intrinsic value becomes
= (EUR 31.00 – EUR 30.00) x 0.1

= EUR 00.10

The intrinsic value of a put warrant is calculated with this formula:

(strike price – price of underlying instrument) x exercise ratio

It’s important to note that the intrinsic value of a warrant can never be negative. By way of explanation:
if the price of the underlying instrument is at or below the exercise price, the intrinsic value of a call equals zero. In this instance, the price of the warrant consists only of “time value”. On the flipside, the intrinsic value of a put is equal to zero if the price of the underlying instrument is at or above the exercise price.

Time value
Once you’ve calculated the intrinsic value of a warrant, it’s also easy to figure out what the time value of that warrant is. You simply deduct the intrinsic value from the current market price of the warrant. In our example, the time value is equal to EUR 1.30 as you can see from the following calculation:

(warrant price – intrinsic value)
= (EUR 0.30 EUR – EUR 0.00)

= EUR 0.30

Time value gradually erodes during the term of a warrant and ultimately ends up at zero upon expiration. At that point, warrants with no intrinsic value expire worthless. Otherwise you can expect to receive payment of the intrinsic value. Take note, though: a warrant’s loss of time value accelerates during the final months of its term.

Premium
The premium indicates how much more expensive a purchase/sale of the underlying instrument would be via the purchase of a warrant and the immediate exercise of the option right as opposed to simply buying/selling the underlying instrument in the open market.

Hence the premium is a measure of how expensive a warrant actually is. It follows that, when given a choice between warrants with similar features, you should always buy the one with the lowest premium. By calculating the premium as an annualized percentage, warrants with different terms to expiry can be compared with each other.

The percentage premium for the call warrant in our example can be calculated as follows:

(strike price + warrant price / exercise ratio – share price) / share price * 100

= (EUR 30.00 + EUR 0.30 / 0.1 – EUR 30.00) / EUR 30.00 x 100

= 10 percent

Leverage
The amount of leverage is the price of the share * ratio divided by the price of the warrant. In our example 30.00*0.1/0.3 = 10. So when the price of ABC increases by 1% the value of the warrant increases by 10%.

The amount of leverage is not constant however; it varies as intrinsic and time value changes, and is particularly sensitive to changes in intrinsic value. As a rule of thumb, the higher the intrinsic value of the warrant, the lower the leverage. For example (assuming constant time value):

 

 

Knock-out (Turbo) Tutorial

Introduction
Knock-out warrants (turbos), like vanilla warrants, derive their value from the difference between the price of the underlying and the strike. They differ significantly however from vanilla warrants in many important respects:

  • They can expire (knock-out) prematurely if the price of the underlying instrument touches or falls below (in the case of knock-out calls) or exceeds (in the case of knockout puts) a predetermined barrier-level. It expires worthless if the barrier equals the strike, or it may have a residual stop-loss value if the barrier is set higher than the strike (in the case of a call).
  • Changes in implied volatility have little or no impact on knock-out products, therefore their pricing is easier for investors to comprehend than that of warrants.
  • They have little or no time value (because of the presence of the knock-out barrier), and therefore have a higher degree of leverage than a warrant with the same strike. This is because the absence of time value makes the instrument “cheaper”.

Pay-out Profile

Leverage
As discussed above, knock-out warrants exhibit high degrees of leverage, particularly as the price of the underlying nears the strike/barrier. Consider the following example of a long turbo on the Dow Jones Index, compared to a vanilla warrant:

Intrinsic value = (index value – strike) x ratio
Leverage = Index Value x Ratio / Instrument Price

A vanilla warrant retains significant time value even as the underlying price approaches the strike, sharply reducing its leverage compared to a knock-out warrant.

Product types
As discussed above, the barrier may either equal the strike, or be set above (calls) or below (puts). In the latter cases a small residual value remains after knock-out, corresponding to the difference between the barrier (the stop-loss level) and the strike.

Moreover, knock-out products may either have an expiration date or may be open-ended. This makes a difference in the way interest is accounted for. If the contract has an expiration date interest is included in the premium, the amount of which reduces over time and is zero on expiration. This is analogous to a standard vanilla warrant.

in relation to an expiration date. The price of the contract therefore corresponds exactly to its intrinsic value. Interest however must be accounted for. This is done by a daily adjustment of the barrier and strike. The following example shows the daily adjustment for a long open-end turbo on the Dow Jones Index:

The adjustment = Strike T x (1+ FedFunds/360 + Issuer Spread/360).

The intrinsic value of the instrument is correspondingly reduced as follows, assuming no change in the value of the DJ Index):

Intrinsic value = (index value – strike) x ratio

 

Discount Certificates Tutorial

Introduction
Discount certificates are designed to provide an enhanced return in sideways markets, compared to a direct investment in the underlying.

Discount certificates make it possible for you to buy an underlying instrument for less than its current market price. However, the maximum payback on a discount certificate is limited to a predetermined amount (cap).

Discount certificates normally have a term to maturity of one to three years. At maturity, a determination is made of where the price of the underlying instrument stands.

If it is at or above the cap, you’ll earn the maximum return and receive payment of the amount reflected by the cap.

If the price of the underlying instrument is below the cap on the maturity date, you’ll receive either the corresponding number of shares or a cash settlement reflecting the value of the underlying instrument on the maturity date.

Pay-out Profile

Example
Assume a discount certificate on ABC share. The certificate has a cap of EUR 40.00, and a purchase price of EUR 36.00. The table below shows scenarios depending on the final price of the underlying.

Factor Certificates Tutorial

Introduction
Factor certificates employ a daily leverage factor that multiplies the daily performance of the underlying instrument. Unlike knock-out warrants and mini-futures, factor certificates do not have a knock-out barrier. To avoid a loss greater than the investment, the calculation resets intraday if the performance of the underlying threatens to render the certificate worthless.

Daily Leverage
The performance of the certificate is calculated daily, without reference to previous days’ values. If the underlying returns 1% on the day, the value of 3x certificate increases by 3%, a 5x by 5%. The next day the process is repeated, referencing the prior day’s underlying close.

As such, factor certificates are particularly suitable for day-traders.

However, for a period of more than one day, the cumulative performance of the underlying cannot be simply multiplied by a factor of 3 as the previous day’s price always forms the new basis of calculating each day’s performance for the certificate. To illustrate with an example:

Cumulatively, the factor certificate has returned less than 3x the performance of the underlying.

Intraday Reset
If an underlying for a factor certificate loses more than a certain percentage of its value intraday, the calculation is reset by simulating a new day. The reset threshold varies depending on the leverage factor.

Let’s assume a long factor certificate with a 10x leverage factor. According to the terms of the certificate, a reset will be triggered if the underlying loses more than 9.5% during the calculation day.

Let’s now assume that the underlying loses 12% of its value during a particular day. The reset
and final performance will be as follows:

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