An
option contract in which the
underlying asset consists of several different
assets. For example, a basket
call may give one the right, but not the obligation, to
buy more than one
currency at the
strike price (which is denominated in a currency other than any in the underlying). A basket option provides a way for a
corporation to
hedge against several different
risks at the same time and to do so more cheaply. However, a rainbow option is exposed to the risk that only some, rather than all, of the underlying assets will move in the direction benefiting the
holder. A basket option is also called a rainbow option.