| Zero-Sum Game |
A situation in which one party's
gain is always equal to the other party's loss. The
gains and losses in this situation always sum to zero,
hence the term. A bet is a zero-sum game where, if the
punter makes a profit, the bookmaker makes an equivalent
loss (ignoring tax) and vice versa. This is the same
for derivatives and options where the punter is the
investor and the bookmaker is the writer, either another
punter or an institution. It is, however, quite different
in physical markets, where actual stocks, bonds or tangible
assets are traded. If an investor buys a share and its
value rises, this is not matched by a corresponding
loss but made up by an increase in the intrinsic value
of the holding and the worth of the yield or dividend,
which represents profits earned by a trading companywealth
is actually created in these circumstances. There is
no net wealth creation in a zero-sum game. |