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Simple English definitions for legal terms
when-issued security
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A quick definition of when-issued security:
A when-issued security is a type of investment that represents ownership or creditor rights in a company or government. It can be a stock, bond, or other type of financial instrument. Unlike physical commodities, securities do not have intrinsic value and their worth depends on the financial condition and future prospects of the issuer. When-issued securities are bought and sold before they are officially issued, allowing investors to speculate on their future value.
A more thorough explanation:
A when-issued security is a type of financial instrument that represents a future obligation to buy or sell a security at a specified price. It is a security that has been authorized but not yet issued or traded.
For example, a company may announce that it will issue new shares of stock in the future. Investors can then buy and sell these shares before they are actually issued. This is known as trading "when-issued" shares.
Another example is when a bond is issued but not yet traded. Investors can buy and sell the bond before it starts trading on the market.
When-issued securities are often used by investors to speculate on the future price of a security. They can also be used to hedge against potential price changes.