Binary Securities

Hey folks. Just wondering, what kinds of binary securities are there? That is, what securities have only two discrete pay-offs? Alternatively, are there portfolios of securities that can achieve such a result?

Ideally, is there a security that returns (net) 1$ with probability p, and -1$ with probability 1-p?

Thanks!

10 Comments
 

Yes there are many options with binary payouts. The two main ones are Digitals and Binaries/One-Touches/Barrier Options. First is the European Digital, which if underlying at maturity is > or = (usually) strike it pays out, if not it does not. The american/path-dependent form is called a one touch, it pays out if underlying hits the trigger level at any point during the life of the option. There are many combinations and correlation products that are built using there.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

binary option = (e^-rT) * N(d2)
so basically every standard European option will have that portion. So you can replicate binary payout with just the stand call or put and underlying. Barrier option is a different animal, since it's a non-markovian process, therefore the probability density function is more complicated than a simple binary option.

 
GekkotheGreatbinary option = (e^-rT) * N(d2)
so basically every standard European option will have that portion. So you can replicate binary payout with just the stand call or put and underlying. Barrier option is a different animal, since it's a non-markovian process, therefore the probability density function is more complicated than a simple binary option.

for the college students reading this is completely wrong.

 
Best Response

Explicabo asperiores ipsum ullam veritatis amet eos vel sunt. Fuga qui dolor harum occaecati sint assumenda quam. Aut cupiditate cum iste sit dolorem porro a. Blanditiis vitae asperiores tempore omnis ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”