Benefits and Risks of Futures Trading

Futures trading is a financial market where buyers and sellers trade contracts that specify the purchase or sale of an underlying asset at a predetermined future date and price. It is used by investors and traders to speculate on the future price movements of commodities, currencies, and financial instruments like stocks and bonds.

It is often associated with high risk, but it also provides several benefits that make it an attractive option for traders. In this article, we will explore the benefits and risks of futures trading, including the risks of trading with margin.

To keep their finger on the pulse many use trading apps such as Plus500 USA to enable precise market monitoring and to execute trades when the time is right.

Benefits of Futures Trading 

Hedging

Futures trading allows traders to hedge against price movements in the underlying asset. For example, if a farmer expects to harvest a crop in the future, they can sell futures contracts to lock in a price for their harvest. This protects them from the risk of falling prices in the future. Hedging is a valuable tool for managing risk, and futures trading provides an efficient way to do so.

Liquidity

Futures trading is a highly liquid market, meaning that it is easy to buy and sell contracts quickly without affecting the market's overall price. This makes it possible for traders to enter and exit positions easily and at the price they want. The high liquidity of futures trading also means that traders can take advantage of price movements in real-time.

Diversification

Futures trading offers traders the opportunity to diversify their portfolios across different asset classes. For example, traders can invest in commodities like gold, oil, and agricultural products, or they can trade financial instruments like stock index futures or foreign currencies. By diversifying across different asset classes, traders can reduce their overall risk and increase their chances of long-term profitability.

Tax Advantages

Futures trading provides tax advantages compared to other forms of trading. In the United States, futures traders pay lower tax rates than traders in other markets, such as stocks or forex. This is because futures trading is considered a form of capital gains trading, which is taxed at a lower rate than other forms of trading, such as short-term stock trading.

Risks of Futures Trading

Volatility Risk

The futures market is known for its volatility, meaning that prices can fluctuate rapidly and without warning. This volatility can lead to significant losses for traders who are not prepared for it. Traders must be aware of the potential for volatility and have a plan in place for managing risk. This may include the use of stop-loss orders to limit potential losses.

Counterparty Risk

Futures trading involves a counterparty, which is the entity on the other side of the trade. The counterparty is responsible for fulfilling the terms of the contract, and there is always a risk that the counterparty may default. This risk is mitigated by the use of a clearinghouse, which acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. However, even with a clearinghouse, there is still a small risk of counterparty default. Traders must be aware of this risk and choose their counterparty carefully.

Market Risk

Futures trading is subject to market risk, which is the risk of loss due to changes in the market's overall performance. Market risk is often caused by macroeconomic events like recessions, political instability, or changes in interest rates. Traders must be aware of market risk and have a plan in place for managing it. This may include diversification across different asset classes or the use of options contracts to hedge against market risk.

Margin Risk

Margin trading is a key feature of futures trading, but it also involves significant risk. Traders who use margin must maintain a minimum balance in their trading account to cover their losses. Failure to maintain this balance can result in a margin call, which requires the trader to deposit additional funds to cover their losses. If the trader cannot deposit the required funds, their position may be liquidated, resulting in significant losses. Traders must be aware of margin risk and manage their positions accordingly.

Leveraged Trading Potentially a Huge Benefit and a Massive Risk

Finally, let’s talk about leverage. It makes futures very appealing but given the potential for unlimited losses it is also a huge risk.

A significant feature of futures trading is the ability to trade on leverage. Potentially, this allows investors to make considerable profits, but as a caveat, it also exposes them to unlimited risk and subsequent unlimited losses.

The trader puts down a small percentage of the contract’s value as margin, with the broker making up the rest. As such, the trader can now control much larger positions.

Should the market go the trader’s way, then it is happy days as the profits flow. Conversely, should it go in the opposite direction the broker will ask the trader to make margin calls to cover the loss and failure to make the payments may result in the trader’s position liquidated.

Something to think about. Good luck with your future trades.