Learn What are Futures/ Futures Contract in a Stock Market in India | Espresso

What Are Futures Contract?

Futures refer to derivative contracts that obligate the buyer and the seller to transact a stock, security, or commodity at an agreed-upon future price and date. It is also known as futures contracts. The agreements are legally binding. On expiry, it must be settled either in cash or by physical delivery.

 

Published on 18 January 2023

Futures trading includes many different currencies, commodities, and indexes. As a result, the trader has a wide range of available options. Traders can buy and re-sell the futures contracts any time the market is open till the expiration date. This feature makes the product popular among day traders.
Also Read: 3 important Exit Strategies for Day Traders

In this blog, we share with you information on how future trading works and what its characteristics are.

Understanding Future Trading Meaning and they Work

Futures let traders set a specific price and avoid the impact of wild price swings (up or down) in the future. With the following example, let us dig deeper into futures trading meaning.

  • An airline company needs jet fuel. It can buy a futures contract by locking in jet fuel prices and quantity for delivery in the future. The contract ensures that the company avoids any unexpected increase in the price.
  • A fuel distributor wants to build a steady market for fuel and stay protected against an unfortunate decrease in prices. It may sell a futures contract.
  • Both parties decide specific terms for their futures contract. These include the price of the fuel, the quantity, and the delivery date.

For this example, we have taken two companies trading an underlying commodity because their business depends on it. But not every trader wants to exchange a product in the future. Some speculators or futures investors want to earn profits off of price fluctuations in futures trading.
Also Read: How to trade in F&O

Characteristics of Futures Trading Contracts

Futures contracts are an investment vehicle. They allow buyers to bet on the future price of a security or commodity.

Here are some futures trading basics you should be aware of:

1.Lot size

The contracts in the derivatives market are not for a single stock. Each stock futures contract comprises a fixed lot of the underlying stock. The exchange in which the stock is traded determines the lot size. The contract or lot size for one share differs from the other. For example, the futures trading contract of Company A can have a lot of 250 shares, while the contract for Company B can have 150 shares.
Know More about F&O Stock List with Lot Size

2.Duration

Futures trading contracts specify terms for a transaction in the future. When in the future depends on the duration of the contract. You can choose from a duration of one month, two months, and three months. Based on the duration, the contracts are near month, middle month, and far month contracts, respectively. After the expiration, a new contract is available for these three durations.

3.Expiry

The month in which the contract matures is known as contract month. Regardless of the duration, futures contracts are simultaneously traded on the exchange and expire on the last Thursday of the contract month. For instance, if you buy a far month (3-months) futures contract in July, it will mature on the last Thursday of September. If the last Thursday is a holiday, it expires on the previous trading day. On completion of the first month, a far-month contract becomes a middle-month contract, and thereafter, a near-month contract.

Final Takeaways

Futures contracts are available on many assets, such as currencies, stock market indices, agricultural products, and oil. Entering the intraday futures trading market is easy. All you need to do is open an account with a broker that supports the market in which you want to trade.

Chandresh Khona
Finoux0

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