derivatives exchange

A derivatives exchange is a site, usually a trading floor, where financial instruments other than stocks are traded openly. It may be a futures exchange, options exchange, mercantile exchange, or other type of related exchange.

The traded instruments include futures, options, and related products. The trading floor may specialize in one kind of contract rather than every possible derivative.

A stock exchange trades company ownership shares. A commodities exchange focuses on raw materials and associated contracts, so commodity derivatives can connect the two trading specializations.