Management - 12manage

Futures Contract

Over a million managers and consultants are working together on management issues via 12manage each month...

Description of Futures Contract. Explanation.



Log in

 

Definition Futures Contract. Description.

 

A Futures Contract is a standardized legally binding agreement, traded on a futures exchange, which requires the delivery of a commodity, currency, or financial instrument at a specified date in the future, at a set price specified on the last trading date. Futures contracts are standardized according to the quality, quantity and delivery time and location for each commodity. The only variable is price.

 

A futures contract gives the holder the right and the obligation to buy or sell. Contrast this with an options contract, which gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, and the writer (seller) the obligation, but not the right. In other words, an option buyer can choose not to exercise when it would be uneconomical for him. The holder of a futures contract and the writer of an option, do not have a choice. To exit the commitment, the holder of a futures position has to sell his long position or buy back his short position, effectively closing the position.


Forum

Comment on this Page

Compare with: American-Style Option  |  European-Style Option  |  Call Option  |  Put Option  |  Asian Option  |  Hedge

 

Return to Management Hub: Finance & Investing

 

More on Management  |  Return to Management Dictionary  | 

 

End of description Futures Contract. An explanation.

 

 

Copyright 2010 12manage - The Executive Fast Track. V10.4 - Last updated: 11-3-2010. All names tm by their owners.