Trading Futures Contracts And Options - Comparing The Two Kinds Of Contracts

By Gerald Seinfeld


In trading, it is fairly typical for the terms options contracts and futures to be used transposably. Though these two contracts have a lot of likenesses when referring to elements, they're really 2 completely different things and so interchanging them when conducting trades in the market could be a really deadly mistake for any person.

Let us learn the diversities between these two contracts to prevent making the wrong decisions in selling and purchasing rights for stocks or commodities. Through this, we may possibly be able to prevent risks and maximize probabilities for money.

What's An Options Contract?

A choice is essentially the privilege to purchase or sell a specific amount of stock, currency, or whatever commodity offered in the market. This contract fundamentally allows an individual to enjoy, but to necessarily become obliged, to exercise these rights. This contract can only be valid for a particular period, and commodities traded can only ever be bought and sold at a certain fixed price.

What's A Futures Contract?

Alternatively, a future is a portable contract that needs the delivery of a certain stock, currency or whatever commodity traded. Like an option, the delivery of the trade is done through a fixed price stated in the contract and within a time frame, so one should not go beyond the best before date.

However , it is very important to take note that a holder is obliged to exercise the conditions of the contract unlike in options where the holder can have the liberty of deciding.

The Differences Between Options And Futures

Apart from the elemental difference between the 2 contracts on rights and duties, there are other differences that include commissions, the size of underlying stocks or commodities traded and how gains are realized.

In a futures contract, a backer has the liberty to sign into the contract without paying upfront. Nevertheless an investor cannot take hold of an options position without paying a premium to the contract holder. The option premium thus serves as payment for the concession to not become obligated to purchase the essential commodities in cases whereby there are unfavorable shifts in costs.

Another major difference between options and futures is also the size of the underlying positions that may be traded. Sometimes, future contracts would include much larger sizes for the fundamental positions as compared to that included in options contracts. Due to this, the requirements included in futures make it riskier for a contract holder to trade due to the chance of losing so much.

Lastly, the two contracts differ with how gains are received by parties concerned. For options contracts, gains can be reached in 3 strategies. Either the holder exercises the option, purchases an opposite option, or waits till the expiry date arrives to be well placed to collect the difference between the price for asset and the strike price, so she could get profits. But profits for commodities contracts can only be realized by either taking an opposition position or through the instant change in the value of positions at the end of each trading day.

Knowing about the differences between an options contract and a futures contract can help broaden your knowledge in share trading, and this can surely hinder you from making the wrong decisions if ever you decide in joining this arena.

Do not forget to never trade without doing your research and completely understanding what contracts you are dealing with. If you simply take the extra step to familiarise yourself, then you might be in a position to spare losing so much money.




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