Turbos, also known as Turbo Certificates or Warrants, are leveraged financial derivatives that allow investors to magnify their potential gains (and losses) on the price movement of an underlying asset. They offer a way to participate in the market with a relatively small initial investment, making them attractive for traders looking for high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
How Turbos Work:
A Turbo’s value is derived from the price of an underlying asset, such as a stock, index, currency, or commodity. Turbos come in two main flavors: Turbo Longs (also known as “Calls”) and Turbo Shorts (also known as “Puts”).
- Turbo Long (Call): A Turbo Long is designed to profit when the underlying asset’s price increases. The investor believes the price will go up.
- Turbo Short (Put): A Turbo Short is designed to profit when the underlying asset’s price decreases. The investor believes the price will go down.
The key concept of a Turbo is the Knock-Out Level (also known as the Barrier Level or Stop-Loss Level). This is a predetermined price level. If the underlying asset’s price reaches the Knock-Out Level, the Turbo automatically expires and becomes worthless. This built-in mechanism limits potential losses to the initial investment, but also carries the risk of losing the entire investment.
Leverage and Risk:
Turbos provide leverage, meaning a small price movement in the underlying asset can result in a larger percentage change in the Turbo’s price. While this leverage amplifies potential profits, it also significantly magnifies potential losses. For instance, a 1% increase in the underlying asset’s price could lead to a 5% increase in the Turbo Long’s price (depending on the leverage factor), but conversely, a 1% decrease could lead to a 5% decrease in the Turbo’s price.
Key Considerations:
- Knock-Out Risk: The most significant risk is the Knock-Out Level. If the underlying asset’s price hits this level, the Turbo becomes worthless, and the investor loses their entire investment.
- Time Decay: Turbos have an expiration date. As the expiration date approaches, the Turbo’s value can decline due to time decay (Theta).
- Volatility: Changes in the underlying asset’s volatility can impact the Turbo’s price. Higher volatility generally increases the price of Turbos.
- Financing Costs: The issuer of the Turbo charges financing costs, which are factored into the Turbo’s price.
Who are Turbos Suitable For?
Turbos are generally suitable for experienced traders who understand the risks involved with leveraged products. They are best used for short-term trading strategies where the trader has a strong conviction about the direction of the underlying asset’s price. Due to the high leverage and Knock-Out risk, Turbos are not recommended for novice investors or those with a low-risk tolerance.
In conclusion, Turbos offer the potential for high returns but come with significant risks. Thorough understanding of their mechanics, leverage, and the Knock-Out Level is crucial before investing. Always manage your risk carefully and only invest what you can afford to lose.