Futures trading is a type of derivative market where traders agree to buy or sell a specific quantity of an asset at a predetermined price and date in the future. These contracts can be for commodities, currencies or even investments in stock indices.

The main thing to know OnlineFuturesContracts about futures trading is that it can be very risky if you don’t do your research correctly. This is because speculators use leverage to magnify relatively small price movements to potentially create big profits. But borrowing money also increases risk, especially if the markets move against you.

Hedgers and speculators alike are attracted to futures trading because it allows them to lock in current prices of raw materials they need for production. Hedgers are typically institutional investors, while speculators are individual traders who don’t have an interest in the actual physical product but want to profit from price swings.

How to Trade Futures in a Bear Market

To trade in futures, you must put down a sum of money as a good-faith deposit called margin. This sum of money is held by the exchange to ensure that both the buyer and seller meet their obligations.

Some brokers offer a free trial account to allow you to test your knowledge of the trading process before you commit real funds to an account. This is a great way to get the hang of how leverage, commissions and other fees impact your portfolio and futures trading strategies.

Futures trading can be a risky endeavor because you may not have enough cash in your account to cover any potential losses. In order to minimize your risk, it is important to monitor the asset price closely and to respond promptly to a margin call from your broker if there is a significant decrease in the value of your portfolio.