Capital Market Chronicles – Episode 174: FUTURES: FUTURES – BASIC TERMS 🚀📈
Futures contracts are like the crystal balls of investing 🪄 — they let you manage price swings or speculate on where prices might go. From commodities to currencies to stocks, the futures market is full of opportunities. But before you dive in, you’ve got to speak the language — and that means mastering the basics: underlying assets, lot sizes, margin requirements, and contract types. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back with this quick, fun guide! 😎
1️⃣ Underlying Asset
The underlying asset is the star of the show 🌟 — the thing you’re actually betting on in the future. It could be:
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Shares (Equities): Infosys, Reliance 💻
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Stock Indices: NIFTY, SENSEX 📊
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Commodities: Gold, oil, wheat 🥖⛽
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Interest Rates: Government bond yields 💰
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Currencies: USD, EUR, INR 💵
Why It Matters: The price of this asset drives your contract’s value. Buy oil futures and oil prices spike? Ka-ching! 💸
2️⃣ Lot Size
Lot size is the minimum chunk you can buy or sell. Exchanges set this to keep trading standardized.
Example:
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Reliance shares: Lot size = 505 shares
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Price = ₹2000 → Total = ₹10,10,000 💰
Why It Matters: Lot sizes affect exposure. Big lots = bigger risk/reward, small lots = safer playground. 🎢
3️⃣ Value of a Lot
Think of this as the full price tag 🏷️:
Formula: Lot size × Asset price
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Reliance = ₹2000 × 505 shares = ₹10,10,000
Pro Tip: You don’t pay this full amount upfront — that’s what margin money is for.
4️⃣ Margin Money
Margin = your security deposit 🛡️, usually a % of the contract value.
Example:
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Contract value: ₹10,10,000
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Margin: 30% → ₹3,03,000
Why It Matters: Volatile asset = higher margin. It’s your way of keeping the market honest and protecting your wallet. ⚖️
5️⃣ Life of a Futures Contract
Most contracts follow a 3-month cycle:
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Near-month: expires this month ⏳
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Next-month: expires next month 📆
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Far-month: expires two months later 📅
Why It Matters: Flexibility! Choose a contract that suits your timeline, whether you’re a speed trader or a slow-and-steady strategist. 🏎️🐢
6️⃣ Types of Futures Contracts
Pick your playground:
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Stock Futures: Individual shares 🏢
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Index Futures: NIFTY, SENSEX 📈
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Commodity Futures: Gold, oil, agricultural goodies 🥖⛽
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Interest Rate Futures: Bond yields 💵
Why It Matters: Choose wisely; know your game before jumping in.
7️⃣ Open Interest
Open interest = how many contracts are still “alive” 🔥
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High open interest → active, liquid market
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Rising open interest → growing investor interest
8️⃣ Marked to Market
Every day, futures contracts are updated to reflect market reality.
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Gain → credited 💰
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Loss → debited 😬
Why It Matters: Keeps your account in check and prevents nasty surprises.
9️⃣ Trading Screen Information
Your trading screen is basically a window into market action 👀:
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Open, High, Low, Volume
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Monitor these to make smarter trading calls
🔟 Long and Short Positions
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Long: Buy now, hope price rises 📈
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Short: Sell now, hope price drops 📉
Strategy Tip: Futures let you profit whether markets are dancing up or down! 💃🕺
1️⃣1️⃣ Spot and Spread
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Spot price: Current market price 💵
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Futures price: Agreed price for later
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Spread: Difference between the two
Why It Matters: Spot vs. futures = market mood indicator. Large spreads = “Hmm…volatile!” ⚡
1️⃣2️⃣ Expiry Date
Futures expire on the last Thursday of the month 📅
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Holiday? Moves to the previous trading day
Why It Matters: Plan your exit and avoid getting caught off guard. ⏰
1️⃣3️⃣ Settlement
Mostly cash-based 💸
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Buy M&M at ₹617 → price rises to ₹627 → profit ₹10/share
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Settled in cash, no need to actually deliver the stock
Summary
Futures trading is like surfing 🌊 — exciting, sometimes scary, but incredibly rewarding if you know the basics. Underlying assets, lot sizes, margin, contract types — these are your surfboard, wetsuit, and safety gear. With ongoing learning and practice, you can ride the waves confidently and make the most of this fast-paced market. 🏄♂️📈
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