An Underlying Security is the financial instrument, such as a stock, bond, commodity, or currency, that serves as the basis for a derivative contract. A derivative is a financial contract that derives its value from the price movements of an underlying security.The underlying security determines the value of the derivative and provides a level of stability and predictability to the derivative's value. The price of the derivative is directly tied to the price of the underlying security. If the price of the underlying security rises, the value of the derivative will also rise, and vice versa.Underlying securities can be used to manage market risk, generate income, or speculate on market movements. They are often used by investors and financial institutions to manage their exposure to market risk and to take advantage of price movements in the underlying security.Examples of underlying securities for derivatives include stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, and indices. For example, a stock option is a derivative that derives its value from a specific stock, which serves as the underlying security. If the stock price rises, the value of the stock option will also rise, and vice versa.In conclusion, an underlying security is the financial instrument, such as a stock, bond, commodity, or currency, that serves as the basis for a derivative contract. The underlying security determines the value of the derivative, and the price of the derivative is directly tied to the price of the underlying security. Examples of underlying securities for derivatives include stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, and indices.