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Futures

Trading on tomorrow's prices

Learn about standardized, exchange-traded contracts for hedging.

Introduction to Futures Contracts 

Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specific future date. 

Covering assets like commodities (wheat, lumber, oil, etc.) and financial instruments (currencies, indices), they allow participants to manage price risk and capitalize on expected movements. 

Futures are essential tools for hedging against unfavorable price changes and for speculators seeking profit opportunities, playing a crucial role in financial markets.

Meet Theodore, the Engine Manufacturer 

Theodore runs a car engine manufacturing business, where steel is his primary raw material. 

Each year, he faces uncertainty as steel prices fluctuate between $600 and $700 per ton, making budgeting difficult. 

For instance, a $50 drop in price for his usual 1,000-ton purchase could impact his costs by $50,000. 

Such unpredictability affects his profit margins and planning. Theodore seeks a solution to protect against price volatility, aiming for financial stability as he navigates market conditions.

Key Characteristics of Futures 

Futures contracts are standardized agreements traded on exchanges. 

Standardization includes: 

  • Contract size (quantity of the asset)
  • Expiration dates
  • Quality specifications

Trading on exchanges ensures transparency, publicly available prices, and liquidity, allowing easy entry or exit from positions. 

A clearinghouse guarantees contract performance, reducing counterparty risk. 

These features make futures accessible and reliable instruments for various market participants.

Futures vs. Forwards and Options 

Futures contracts are often confused with forwards and options, although they differ in key ways. 

Futures are standardized contracts traded on exchanges with regulated terms, while forwards are customized agreements traded over-the-counter between parties. 

Futures involve an obligation to buy or sell, whereas options grant the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a set price before expiration. 

This means options require a premium payment for the flexibility they offer.

Purpose of Futures Contracts 

Futures contracts serve two main purposes: hedging and speculation. 

  • Hedgers use futures to protect against adverse price movements in the assets they produce or consume, effectively locking in prices.
  • Speculators aim to profit from anticipated price changes by taking positions in futures contracts without intending to exchange the actual asset.

By facilitating these activities, futures markets enable participants to manage risk or seek returns based on their expectations of future price movements.

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