Understand How Futures Markets Work
A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell an asset at a specified future date. Learn the mechanics, specifications, expiration cycles, leverage and margin requirements that shape every futures trade.
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Markets, Participants and Pricing
Explore the development of futures exchanges, the roles of hedgers, speculators and arbitrageurs, and the economic forces that move contract prices.
- Read contract specifications and expiration dates.
- Understand exchanges, the CFTC and Commitment of Traders.
- Compare commodity and financial futures.
- Study contango, backwardation and cost of carry.
Apply Futures to Trading and Risk Management
Connect pricing theory with long and short positions, hedging methods and real-world market analysis.
- Use futures for hedging, speculation and arbitrage.
- Assess liquidity, volatility and market sentiment.
- Analyze supply, demand and geopolitical events.
- Build risk awareness around leverage and margin.
