What term refers to financial instruments that include ownership rights, debt rights, or rights to buy and sell?

The term that refers to financial instruments encompassing ownership rights, debt rights, or rights to buy and sell is "securities." Securities are a broad category of financial instruments that represent an ownership position in a company (in the case of stocks or equities), a creditor relationship with a governmental body or corporate entity (as with bonds or other debt instruments), or rights to ownership as outlined in derivatives.

Understanding securities is fundamental in finance, as they form the backbone of investment and capital markets. For instance, when individuals buy stocks, they acquire a stake in a company, which represents ownership rights. When they purchase bonds, they are essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for future interest payments and the return of principal, which represents debt rights. Additionally, options and futures give investors the right to buy or sell assets at predetermined prices, illustrating another aspect of rights associated with these financial instruments.

The other terms provided, while related, do not encapsulate the full spectrum of rights associated with securities. Bonds are specifically debt instruments and, therefore, do not include ownership rights. Assets are a more general term for anything of value owned by an individual or entity but do not specifically pertain to the nature of securities. Lastly, equities are a specific type of security representing