The Real Estate Funds, also known as FIIs, are a form of investment in real estate, but which differs from direct investment in properties. FIIs are investment funds that acquire real estate for the purpose of renting or leasing, and the income from these operations is passed on to investors. They are traded on stock exchanges, just like stocks.
FIIs are a way to democratize investment in real estate, as they allow anyone to invest in this market with little money. Real estate funds are divided into quotas, which are small fractions of the total property owned by the fund. In this way, when buying a share of an FII, the investor becomes the owner of a small part of all the properties that the fund owns.
FIIs have several advantages over direct investment in real estate. First, they are more affordable, as it is possible to buy shares in a real estate fund with less than R$100. In addition, they are more diversified, as a single FII can own dozens or even hundreds of properties, which reduces investment risk. Finally, FIIs are more liquid, as their shares are traded on a stock exchange and can be bought or sold at any time during the exchange's trading hours.
On the other hand, FIIs also have risks. The main one is the vacancy risk, which is the possibility that the fund's properties become unoccupied and do not generate income. In addition, there is the risk of property devaluation, which can occur for various reasons, such as property deterioration, changes in the real estate market or even economic crises.
In addition to FIIs, another market that has gained prominence is the derivatives market. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value derives from another asset, called the underlying asset. The underlying asset can be a stock, a currency, an interest rate, an index, among others.
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Derivatives are mainly used for hedging (protection), speculation or arbitrage purposes. In hedging, derivatives are used to protect an investment against changes in the price of the underlying asset. In speculation, derivatives are used to try to profit from changes in the price of the underlying asset. In arbitrage, derivatives are used to try to profit from price differences of the same asset in different markets.
The main types of derivatives are futures, options, swaps and forwards. Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell an underlying asset at a future date at a predetermined price. Options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price at a future date. Swaps are agreements to exchange cash flows or other economic values. Forwards are similar to futures, but are private agreements between the parties and are not traded on an exchange.
Derivatives are complex and high-risk financial instruments, and their improper use can lead to large financial losses. Therefore, it is important for investors to have a good understanding of these instruments before starting to trade with them.
In summary, both FIIs and derivatives are forms of investment that can bring good returns, but which also have risks. Therefore, it is critical that investors study and understand these markets well before starting to invest in them.
