Callable Bull/Bear Contracts (“CBBC”) are a type of structured product that tracks the performance of an underlying asset without requiring investors to pay the full price required to own the actual asset. CBBC are issued by a third party, usually an investment bank, independent of HKEx and of the underlying asset. CBBC are issued with the condition that during their lifespan they will be called by the issuers when the price of the underlying asset reaches a level (known as the “Call Price”) specified in the listing document. If the Call Price is reached before expiry, the CBBC will expire early and the trading of that CBBC will be terminated immediately. The specified expiry date from the listing document will no longer be valid. CBBC may be issued with a lifespan of 3 months to 5 years and are settled in cash only.
CBBC have a Call Price and a Mandatory Call Feature - For Bull contracts, the Call Price must be either equal to or above the Strike Price. For Bear contracts, the Call Price must be equal to or below the Strike Price. If the underlying asset’s price reaches the Call Price at any time prior to expiry, the CBBC will expire early. The issuer must call the CBBC and trading of the CBBC will be terminated immediately. Such an event is referred to as a Mandatory Call Event (MCE).
Categories of CBBC - There are two categories of CBBC, namely Category N CBBC and Category R CBBC.
A Category N CBBC refers to a CBBC where its Call Price is equal to its Strike Price, and the CBBC holder will not receive any cash payment once the price of the underlying asset reaches or goes beyond the Call Price.
A Category R CBBC refers to a CBBC where its Call Price is different from its Strike Price, and the CBBC holder may receive a small amount of cash payment (called “Residual Value”) upon the occurrence of an MCE but in the worst case, no residual value will be paid.
Comparing a Category N CBBC and a Category R CBBC with the same Strike Price, the Category R CBBC may be called at an earlier level than the Category N CBBC.