Hedge Ratio

Hedge ratio (delta)

For options, ratio between the change in an option's theoretical value and the change in price of the underlying stock at a given point in time. For convertibles, percentage of a convertible bond representing the number of underlying common shares sold against the shares into which bonds are convertible. If a preferred is convertible into 2000 common shares, a 75% hedge ratio would be short (long) 1500 common for every 1000 preferred long (short). See: Delta.

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hedge ratio

The number of options required to offset the change in value due to a price change in 100 shares of common stock. For example, if two options are needed to offset value changes for 100 shares of stock, the hedge ratio is 2.

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Hedge Ratio

1. A ratio of the value of the proportion of a position that is hedged to the value of the entire position. A hedge ratio shows how exposed an investment is to risk. For example, if a hedge ratio is .65, then 65% of the investment is protected from risk, while 35% remains exposed.

2. A ratio of the value of a futures contract to the value of the underlying asset. This is used to identify and minimize risk in the contract.