Understanding trading strategies is key to options and futures trading. The reverse cash and carry arbitrage strategy is one such trading strategy used by traders for futures. Reverse cash and carry arbitrage is a strategy you can use when the futures contract is cheaper than the spot price of an asset. This situation is known as backwardation. In this case, you sell the asset in the spot market (short-sell) and buy it back later using a cheaper futures contract.
This strategy is considered market-neutral. You are not predicting whether prices will rise or fall. Instead, you are using the price gap between spot and futures to your advantage. For this to work, the price from the short sale must be higher than the cost of buying the futures and covering related expenses. When the futures contract matures, you receive the asset and use it to settle your short sale. This allows you to lock in a gain from the price difference.
In this article, we cover what is reverse cash and carry arbitrage and how it can help you trade gain from a pricing mismatch when the spot is higher than the futures price.
Cash and Carry vs Reverse Cash and Carry
Cash and carry arbitrage and reverse cash and carry arbitrage are two sides of the same strategy. The key difference lies in how the price of the futures contract compares to the spot price. In cash and carry arbitrage, you buy the asset in the spot market and sell the futures contract when the futures are priced higher than the spot. This is seen in a contango market, where traders expect prices to rise over time.
On the other hand, in reverse cash and carry arbitrage, you short-sell the asset in the spot market and buy the futures contract when the futures are underpriced. This happens during backwardation, when the spot price is higher than the futures.
Both strategies involve locking in price differences between the spot and futures markets. Your choice depends on whether the futures contract is trading at a premium or discount.
Reverse Cash and Carry Arbitrage Examples
Let’s take an example to better understand this reverse arbitrage strategy. Assume a company’s stock is trading at ₹1,200 in the spot market. At the same time, the futures contract expiring in one month is priced at ₹1,170. Carrying costs, including interest and other charges, come to ₹5.
To apply reverse cash and carry arbitrage, you sell the stock short at ₹1,200 and buy the futures contract at ₹1,170. When the contract expires, you receive the stock through the futures contract and deliver it to close your short position.
With a ₹30 difference between spot and futures prices, minus ₹5 cost of carry, you lock in a ₹25 gain. This is how reverse cash and carry arbitrage works—you profit from the pricing gap without betting on future price direction.
Such trades are common in options and futures markets. You just need price awareness, timing, and an open trading account to act on the opportunity.
What Causes Backwardation?
Reverse arbitrage strategies work well during backwardation. Backwardation occurs when the futures contract price is lower than the spot price of the same asset. This pricing gap often creates opportunities for reverse cash and carry arbitrage. There are a few common reasons why backwardation happens in the market.
One major reason is a decline in future demand. If traders expect demand for the asset to fall later, fewer buyers are interested in futures. This leads to a drop in futures prices.
Another reason could be a sudden shortage in the supply of the asset. When supply tightens, the spot price rises quickly due to immediate demand, while the futures price takes longer to adjust.
Other contributing factors include storage limitations, geopolitical risks, or seasonal shifts in demand. All these conditions can push the spot price above the futures price, making reverse arbitrage favourable. Understanding these causes helps you spot backwardation scenarios and decide when to apply reverse cash and carry arbitrage effectively in trading.
Conclusion
Reverse cash and carry arbitrage is a clear and structured trading strategy used in futures markets. It involves selling the asset at a higher spot price and buying a lower-priced futures contract. This approach lets you take advantage of price differences without relying on market direction.
The strategy is commonly used when markets are in backwardation. You lock in a gain by covering your short position through the lower-cost futures. Because it doesn’t depend on forecasting price trends, it helps reduce risk when planned correctly.
If you understand what is reverse cash and carry arbitrage, you can use it to explore market inefficiencies. It’s always prudent to apply this trading strategy with care—after checking all costs and tracking the price spread.
For anyone active in arbitrage-based trading strategies, especially in futures, this method adds a useful tool to your trading plan. It works well with discipline, timely action, and proper cost calculation.