Online Commodities Trading: Delving into the Futures Market
Online commodities trading, also known as the futures market, is a continuous auction on the global marketplace. Once a futures price is set through competitive bidding, it is immediately sent around the globe via wire and satellite. People involved in online commodities trading are buying and selling futures contracts. Each contract states the price per unit, value, quality and quantity of the commodity and contains a clearly defined expiration date. Traders in the Futures Market fall into two categories: Hedgers and Speculators. Both try to reduce their risks and profit through timely buys or sells.
Hedgers give up the chance to benefit from favorable changes in price so that they will have protection from unfavorable price changes. An example would be a company who wants to be protected from a price increase in the commodity that they will need to buy to make their product.
Speculators buy or sell in anticipation of rising or falling prices to make a profit.
Going Long –This occurs when a futures trader attempts to profit from an anticipated future price increase.
Going Short – Similar to going long but where the trader wants a future price decrease.
Spreads - is a safer and more conservative position where a futures market trader is taking advantage of a price difference between two different contracts of the same commodity. There are three classifications under the spread strategy:
Inter-Market Spread – An investor with contracts expiring the same month goes long in one futures market and short in another.
Calendar Spread – The simultaneous purchase and sale of two futures market contracts of the same type, with the same price but with different delivery (expiration) dates.
Inter-Exchange Spread – Taking a position in more than one futures market.
How do you manage your online commodities trading account?
Managing your own account in the online commodities trading market is the riskiest way to participate in the futures market, which is extremely liquid and complex. You may want to consider two alternatives to going out on your own – join a commodity pool, or have a managed account.
Commodity Pools require management by a very skilled broker, but membership in one contains the least risk. Funds are pooled and invested; profits and losses are proportionate to the amount of money you have invested and you are not subject to margin calls. There is also greater opportunity for investment diversity.
A managed online commodities trading account involves hiring a broker who trades on your behalf based on agreed conditions. You are still responsible for any losses, margin calls, and a management fee, but this type of an account could lessen your financial risk.
A word of caution: It is Illegal for any person or firm to buy or sell futures contracts, or to offer them unless those contracts are traded on one of the regulated futures exchanges and the person and/or firm is registered with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA. Unregulated, illegal and off-exchange futures can carry deceptive labels. Approach any contracts with labels such as “deferred delivery,” “forward” or “partial payment” cautiously. Always verify that the offered contract is registered with the CFTC and the seller is a member of NFA.
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