Answer:
1a. Backed by the U.S. government, these financial instruments are short-term debt obligations with a maturity of less than one year. They are considered risk-free investments.
Identification: U.S. Treasury Bills (T-bills)
b. Issued by money-centered financial firms, these short- or medium-term insured debt instruments pay higher interest than a regular savings account. They are low-risk instruments and have low returns.
Identification: Certificate of deposit
c. These financial instruments are investment pools that buy such short-term debt instruments as Treasury bills (T-bills), certificates of deposit (CDs), and commercial paper. They can be easily liquidated.
Identification: Money Market Mutual Fund
d. These financial instruments are contractual agreements that give one party a long-term agreement to use an asset by providing regular payments.
Identification: Lease Agreement
2. The instruments which are traded in capital markets are Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Corporate Bonds and Certificates of deposits excluding Long-term bank loans.
3. The process in which derivatives are used to reduce risk exposure is called hedging.