Sunday, August 12, 2012

An Option Calculator - How It Can Be Of Benefit To Your Business

By Brad Wilson


All industries are regulated by numerous legal and compliance requirements that pertain specially to their specific industry . Few sectors require such sharp management practices as the financial industry, particularly those who look after the finance of their clients. Although financial markets have always been prone to wide fluctuations and have been somewhat volatile since their beginning, they are now even more so because of the events of the past few years. It is, therefore, obviously essential that such organisations invest in and rely on the most appropriate set of tools to manage such areas as foreign exchange, interest rate fluctuations and other financial risks effectively .

Financial Management - Option Calculator Technology

As it does in all aspects of our lives, technology plays a key and pivotal role in managing finance. And, because the business of managing finance is a complex and technical task in itself, the perception can exist that the technology required to manage it must also be very highly technical and, indeed, expensive . However, this does not necessarily need be the case . Much depends on the size of the organisation where technology may vary from the simple but effective spreadsheet for the small business to highly intricate systems for very large businesses . An effective in-between solution is more likely to be needed by the small to medium sized businesses (SME's) . For calculating and effectively managing risk, an option calculator can prove invaluable and calculators are, of course, integral to managing finance . So, when choosing an options calculator, what features should you look out for ?

Essential Features Of An Option Calculator

Data needs to be captured first in order for it to be calculated . Your option's solution should allow you to input a number of useful parameters such as start and end dates, face value, strike rate and the option type i.e. whether it is a call or a put and a variety of currency pair options . Additionally, it should support multiple exercise styles such as European and American . On completing these parameters, the task of calculating an option's fair value according to its mark to market status, maturity date and its likely exposure to currency fluctuations should then be available at the touch of a button . Other beneficial features that should be included are :

The ability to provide reports. A clear picture of an option's position can be gained at any time through the insight offered by concise reports. In turn, this insight provides the basis on which good decisions can be made .

Industry compliance . In order to safeguard your own, your business's and your clients interests, ensure you choose an options solution that complies with accounting standards, audit requirements, current financial policy and any other industry regulations .

While individual technology providers offer different solutions with varying features, it is important to choose a supplier who understands financial markets as well as portfolio and risk management requirements . In doing so, you are not only reducing your risk but their help will also ensure your management and accounting processes function more smoothly .




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