Future Trading - How it Works? A Beginner's Guide to Trading Futures

FUTURES TRADING

Futures trading defined as buying or selling of a financial instrument, such as a commodity, currency, or stock index, at a fixed price and time in the future. Futures trading is usually managed on a futures exchange, which acts as an intermediator between buyers and sellers.

Futures contracts are normalize agreements that defines the quantity, quality, and delivery date of the basic asset. They are traded on futures exchanges, which provides a platform for buyers and sellers to execute trades. Futures exchanges are highly managed, with rules and regulations governing trading, margins, delivery, and settlement. In futures trading, buyers and sellers agree to buy or sell a fixed amount of an asset at a future date, with the price of the asset being determined at the time the contract is entered into. The buyer of a futures contract is bind to purchase the asset at the agreed-upon price, while the seller is bind to sell the asset at that price.

Futures trading offers several advantages over other types of trading, such as:

1. Liquidity: Basically Futures markets are highly liquid, with large numbers of buyers and sellers trading in a variety of financial instruments.
2. Leverage: Futures trading allows investors to control a large amount of an asset with a relatively small amount of capital, which can result in higher profits.
3. Diversification: By investing in multiple financial instruments, Futures trading offers investors the ability to diversify their portfolios.
4. Hedging:  Futures trading can be used to boundary against price changes in a specific asset, which can help the investors to reduce their overall risk.

However, futures trading also carries certain risks, such as:

1. Volatility: Futures markets can be highly volatile, with prices fluctuating fastly and unpredictably.
2. Margin requirements: Futures trading requires investors to maintain a certain amount of capital in their accounts to cover potential losses, which can result in significant margin calls.
3. Counterparty risk: Futures trading involves the risk that the counterparty to a trade may default on their boundaries, resulting in significant losses for the investor.
4. Liquidity risk: Futures markets may become illiquid, making it difficult for investors to close out their positions.

Overall, futures trading can be a useful tool for investors looking to diversify their portfolios, hedge against price changes, or generate higher returns. However, it is important to understand the risks involved and to carefully manage one's positions to avoid significant losses.

How Futures Trading works?

Futures trading works by using standardized contracts to buy or sell a particular basic asset at a fixed price and date in the future. The contracts are traded on futures exchanges, which acts as intermediaries between buyers and sellers.

To start futures trading, first of all a trader must open a trading account with a futures broker who is registered with the related regulatory authorities. The trader then deposits a margin, which is a percentage of the total contract value, into their trading account. This margin is used to cover the potential losses in the event of critical price movements.

Next, the trader selects the basic asset they wish to trade and the expiration date of the futures contract. The contract specifies the quantity and quality of the asset that will be traded, as well as the price at which the trade will be executed. When a trader buys a futures contract, they are agreeing to purchase the basic asset at the specified price and date. When a trader sells a futures contract, they are agreeing to sell the underlying asset at the specified price and date. Both buyers and sellers are required to post margin to cover the losses.

As the price of the basic asset changes over time, the value of the futures contract will also change. Traders can exit their positions at any time by selling their futures contracts, either to get the profits or to limit losses.

With the expiration of the date, the futures contract is settled by either physical delivery of the basic asset or through a cash settlement, depending on the contract specifications. Traders who hold a long position in a futures contract will receive the underlying asset if they choose physical delivery, while those who hold a short position will be required to deliver the underlying asset. Futures trading can be a useful tool for investors looking to manage risk, diversify their portfolios, or generate higher returns. 

Examples of Futures Trading

1. Commodity futures: Commodity futures are one of the most commonly trading type of futures contracts. Traders can buy or sell futures contracts for commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, gold, silver, wheat, corn, and coffee. For example, a farmer may sell a futures contract for corn to lock in a price for their crop before it is harvested.
2. Currency futures: Currency futures are contracts in which traders can buy or sell currencies at a fixed price and date in the future. These contracts are commonly used by businesses and investors who can manage currency risk. For example, a company that exports goods to Europe may use currency futures to hedge against variation in the euro.
3. Stock index futures: Stock index futures are contracts that allow traders to buy or sell a basket of stocks that make up a stock index, such as the S&P 500. These contracts are commonly used by investors to explore to a particular market. 
4. Interest rate futures: Interest rate futures are contracts in which traders can buy or sell the underlying asset based on future interest rates. Investors generally use these contracts to hedge against interest rate risk or to speculate on changes in interest rates. For example, a bond dealer may sell interest rate futures to hedge against a possible decline in bond prices due to higher interest rates These are examples of many futures contracts traded on futures exchanges around the world only a few.