The Vanna–Volga method to adjust for “exotic” versions of these things uses second-order sensitivities. A “smile” pattern that arises when plotting one “implied” value of these things deviates from an idealized model. Multiple of these things are combined in the “strip” and “straddle” strategies. Assuming Brownian motion and using Itô’s lemma gives an equation to model these things that won a Nobel Prize for Robert C. Merton. These things, which are said to be “in the money” if their intrinsic value is positive, can be priced by the Black–Scholes formula. Unlike their American type, the European type of these derivatives can only be exercised on their expiration date. For 10 points, what financial assets that grant the right to buy or sell a stock at a strike price include calls and puts? ■END■
ANSWER: options [or option contracts; accept stock options American options or European options or exotic options; accept derivatives until “derivatives” is read]
<Cambridge B, Social Science>
= Average correct buzz position