What is a Future?
A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date.
Futures contracts are traded on regulated exchanges and are commonly used for:
- Hedging price risk
- Speculating on price movements
- The underlying asset
- Contract size
- Delivery or settlement terms
- Expiration date
A futures contract specifies:
- The underlying asset
- Contract size
- Delivery or settlement terms
- Expiration date
Most futures contracts are closed prior to expiration rather than settled through delivery.