In [[finance]], a '''derivative''' is a [[contract]] that ''derives'' its value from the performance of an underlying entity. This underlying entity can be an [[asset]], [[Index fund|index]], [[Currencycurrency]], or [[interest rate]], and is often simply called the '''underlying'''.<ref>{{cite report |title=Derivatives |publisher= [[Office of the Comptroller of the Currency]], [[U.S. Department of Treasury]] |url=https://occ.gov/topics/supervision-and-examination/capital-markets/financial-markets/derivatives/index-derivatives.html |access-date=February 15, 2013 |quote = A derivative is a financial contract whose value is derived from the performance of some underlying market factors, such as interest rates, currency exchange rates, and commodity, credit, or equity prices. Derivative transactions include an assortment of financial contracts, including structured debt obligations and deposits, swaps, futures, options, caps, floors, collars, forwards, and various combinations thereof.}}</ref><ref>[http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/derivative.asp "Derivative Definition"], [[Investopedia]]</ref> Derivatives can be used for a number of purposes, including [[insuring]] against price movements ([[Hedge (finance)#Etymology|hedging]]), increasing exposure to price movements for [[speculation]], or getting access to otherwise hard-to-trade assets or markets.<ref>{{cite SSRN|last1 = Koehler |first1= Christian| title=The Relationship between the Complexity of Financial Derivatives and Systemic Risk|pages =10–11|ssrn =2511541|date= May 31, 2011}}</ref>