HDFC Mutual Fund has launched an open ended Gold Exchange Traded Fund, which aims to generate returns in line with the performance of gold. The scheme will invest 90% to 100% in gold bullion. Each unit, approximately equal to 1 gm of gold, will be issued at a premium equivalent to the difference between allotment price and face value. The new fund offer will be available from 25 June, 2010 to 23 July, 2010. Investors can investment a minimum amount of Rs 5,000. The scheme will not charge any entry and exit load. The scheme will be benchmarked against domestic price of physical gold.
What are derivatives? Derivatives are financial instruments, which as the name suggests, derive their value from another asset — called the underlying. What are the typical underlying assets? Any asset, whose price is dynamic, probably has a derivative contract today. The most popular ones being stocks, indices, precious metals, commodities, agro products, currencies, etc. Why were they invented? In an increasingly dynamic world, prices of virtually all assets keep changing, thereby exposing participants to price risks. Hence, derivatives were invented to negate these price fluctuations. For example, a wheat farmer expects to sell his crop at the current price of Rs 10/kg and make profits of Rs 2/kg. But, by the time his crop is ready, the price of wheat may have gone down to Rs 5/kg, making him sell his crop at a loss of Rs 3/kg. In order to avoid this, he may enter into a forward contract, agreeing to sell wheat at Rs 10/ kg, right at the outset. So, even if the price of wheat falls ...
