What is a futures contract in simple terms?
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It’s a deal to buy or sell something in the future at a price you agree on today.
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A futures contract might sound tricky, but it’s simple once you get it. Let’s take an example. Imagine you plan to fly to the US on 1st January.
That’s about two months away. You set aside a budget for the trip, including flights. You decide you’ll pay ₹40,000 for the ticket.
You believe the ticket price will rise later. So, you want to lock in ₹40,000 now. The airline agrees. You sign a contract to pay that amount. The airline thinks prices may fall, so they also want the deal.
A futures contract is an agreement between two people or businesses to buy or sell something at a predetermined price on a future date. The price is fixed today, even though the actual transaction happens later.
These contracts can be based on goods, stock market, currencies, or market indices. Traders and businesses use them for two main reasons: to hedge against potential price changes and protect their costs, or to speculate and earn profits from price movements. By locking in prices in advance, futures contracts help manage financial risk while offering opportunities for gain.
Attribute | Description |
The item, currency, index, or commodity on which the contract is based. | |
Lot Size | The standard quantity of the asset traded in the contract. |
Expiry Date | The day when the contract ends and must be settled. |
Price | The agreed rate at which the asset will be traded later. |
Margin | The money you must deposit to trade the contract. |
Settlement | How the contract is completed — by actual delivery or cash. |
Suppose you own a coffee shop and expect coffee bean prices to rise in the coming months. To protect your business from higher costs, you agree today to buy beans at ₹200 per kilo, with delivery in three months.
If, by then, prices increase to ₹250, you still pay only ₹200, saving money and ensuring stable expenses. However, if prices fall to ₹150, you lose the chance to buy beans at a lower rate. Entering such agreements helps manage the risk of fluctuating prices, giving you cost certainty, though it may limit potential savings.
You can trade futures contracts on specialized exchanges designed for such financial instruments. To start, you place an order through a registered broker who facilitates the transaction on your behalf.
Once the order is executed, you are required to pay an initial margin, which acts as a security deposit. After this, you monitor and manage your position carefully until the contract reaches its expiry date or is settled. Understanding the process is key to trading futures effectively.
In a futures contract, two parties agree to trade an asset at a set price on a specific future date. One major advantage is that traders don’t need to pay the full price upfront, which makes it attractive to many investors. However, trading futures carries significant risks, as prices can fluctuate widely before the contract expires.
Therefore, anyone interested in futures must have a clear understanding of how these contracts work, the mechanics of the futures market, and the potential gains and losses involved. Proper knowledge is essential for safe and effective trading.
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It’s a deal to buy or sell something in the future at a price you agree on today.
A forward is a private deal. A future is a standard deal traded on an exchange.
They include commodity futures, currency futures, index futures, and interest rate futures.
To lock prices, protect against risks, or try to make a profit from price changes.
Someone buys a futures contract to hedge against price changes or to speculate for profit.
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