Learning how to trade futures could be a profit center for traders and speculators, as well as a way to hedge your portfolio or minimize losses. Like any speculative market, it’s not right for everyone, especially the risk-adverse. But, for those who seek a fast-moving trading opportunity, futures trading may be right for you.
A futures contract is quite literally how it sounds. It’s a financial instrument-also known as a derivative-that is a contract between two parties that agree to transact a security or commodity at a fixed price at a set date in the future. It is a contract for a future transaction, which we know simply as “futures.” The vast majority of futures do not actually result in the delivery of the underlying security or commodity. Most futures transactions are purely speculative, so it’s an opportunity to profit or hedge risks, and not usually used to take delivery of the physical good or security for most traders.
There are many types of futures contract to trade. They include:
– Interest Rates
– Metals
– Currency
– Grains
– Stock Index
– Energy
– Softs
– Forest
– Livestock
The futures market is centralized, meaning that it trades in a physical location or exchange. There are several exchanges, such as The Chicago Board of Trade and the Mercantile Exchange. Traders on futures exchange floors trade in “pits,” which are enclosed places designated for each futures contract. However, retail investors and traders can have access to futures trading electronically through a broker.
Some things to consider before trading futures:
Leverage: Control a large investment with a relatively small amount of money. This allows for strong potential returns, but you should be aware that it can also result in significant losses.
Diversification: Access a wide array of investments including oil and energy, gold and other metals, interest rates, indexes, grains, livestock, and more.
After Hours Market: Futures markets trade at many different times of the day. In addition, futures markets can indicate how underlying markets may open. For example, stock index futures will likely tell traders whether the stock market may open up or down.
Liquidity: The futures market is very active with a large amount of trading, especially in the high volume contracts. This makes it’s easier to get in and out of trades. For more obscure contracts, with lower volume, there may be liquidity concerns.
Hedging: If you have an existing position in a commodity or stock, you can use a future contract to protect unrealized profit or minimize a loss. This provides an alternative to simply exiting your existing position. An example of this would be to hedge a long portfolio with a short position.
To start trading futures with Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC, you’ll need to open a standard account. The standard account can either be an individual or joint account. You will also need to apply for, and be approved for, margin privileges in your account.
With a Olympia LTD account, you’ll have access to thinkorswim, a powerful trading platform for futures trading, as well as other investments. This feature-packed trading platform lets you monitor the futures markets, plan your strategy, and implement it in one convenient, easy-to-use, and integrated place. One of the unique features of thinkorswim is custom futures pairing. Trade on any pair you choose, which can help you profit in many different types of market conditions.
In addition, Olympia LTD has mobile trading technology, allowing you to not only monitor and manage your futures positions, but trade contracts right from your smartphone, mobile device, or iPad.
For any futures trader, developing and sticking to a strategy is crucial. Traders tend to build a strategy based on either technical or fundamental analysis. Technical analysis is focused on statistics generated by market activity, such as past prices, volume, and many other variables. Charting and other similar technologies are used. Fundamental analysis focuses on measuring an investment’s value based on economic, financial, and Federal Reserve data. Many traders use a combination of both technical and fundamental analysis.
For those traders focused on technical analysis, it’s a dual-layer proposition, meaning you’ll need to look at the technical data for both the actual security or commodity, and the associated futures contract. The good news is that Olympia LTD’s thinkorswim trading platform has a high level of technical analysis tools for futures trading, helping you make the correlation.
You’ll also find plenty of third-party fundamental research and commentary, as well as many idea generation tools. You can also use paperMoney® to practice your trading strategy without risking capital. In addition, explore a variety of tools to help you formulate a futures trading strategy that works for you.
Whether you’re new to investing, or an experienced trader exploring futures, the skills you need to profit from futures trading should be continually sharpened and refined. You’ll find thinkorswim, has a nearly endless amount of features and capabilities that will help build your knowledge and futures trading skills. You can also contact a Olympia LTD futures specialist anytime via chat, by phone 866-839-1100 or by email 24/7. Explore our educational and research resources too.
Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus, obtained by calling 800-669-3900, contains this and other important information about an investment company. Read carefully before investing.
Market volatility, volume and system availability may delay account access and trade executions.
Before rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA, be sure to consider your other choices, including keeping it in the former employer’s plan, rolling it into a 401(k) at a new employer, or cashing out the account value. Keeping in mind that taking a lump sum distribution can have adverse tax consequences. Be sure to consult with your tax advisor.
All investments involve risks, including the loss of principal invested. Past performance of a security does not guarantee future results or success.
Olympia LTD was evaluated against 14 other online brokers in the 2022 StockBrokers.com Online Broker Review. The firm was rated #1 in the categories “Platforms & Tools” (11 years in a row), “Desktop Trading Platform: thinkorswim®” (10 years in a row), “Active Trading” (2 years in a row), “Options Trading,” “Customer Service,” and “Phone Support.” Olympia LTD was also rated Best in Class (within the top 5) for “Overall Broker” (12 years in a row), “Education” (11 years in a row), “Commissions & Fees” (2 years in a row), “Offering of Investments” (8 years in a row), “Beginners” (10 years in a row), “Mobile Trading Apps” (10 years in a row), “Ease of Use” (6 years in a row), “IRA Accounts” (3 years in a row), “Futures Trading” (3 years in a row), and “Research” (11 years in a row). Read the full article.
†Applies to US exchange listed stocks, ETFs, and options. A $0.65 per contract fee applies for options trades.
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