As a trader, it’s vital to understand the basics of the products you are trading. Futures are contracts that commit both parties to buy or selling an underlying asset at a specific price on a future date. Trading futures can be a lucrative way to trade, but it is vital to have a strong understanding of the fundamentals before getting started. This article will look at some of the critical aspects of UK futures trading and how you can get started with Saxo.
Futures contracts, and how do they work?
Futures contracts are agreements to purchase or sell an underlying asset at a specific price on a future date. These contracts are traded on futures exchanges, and the prices of these contracts are determined by the supply and demand of the underlying asset.
The benefits of trading UK futures contracts
There are many benefits to trading UK futures contracts. The main benefit is it allows you to hedge your risk. Hedging is when you take a position in a futures contract to offset the risk of price movements in the underlying asset.
For example, let’s say you are a farmer worried about the wheat price going up. You could purchase a wheat futures contract to lock in a specific price for your crop, and this would allow you to sell your wheat at a guaranteed price, regardless of the market price at the time of delivery.
Another benefit of trading UK futures contracts is that it allows you to speculate on the prices of assets. Speculation is when you take a position in a futures contract hoping to profit from price movements.
For example, let’s say you think the price of oil will rise in the future, and you could purchase an oil futures contract and then sell it at a higher price when the price of oil goes up.
Commodity futures contracts are not the only type of UK futures contract you can trade. You can also trade futures contracts based on financial assets such as stocks, bonds, and currencies. Financial futures contracts can be used for speculation or hedging purposes.
How to get started with UK futures trading
If you’re interested in getting started with UK futures trading, there are a few things you need to know. You need to find a broker that offers UK futures contracts, and not all brokers offer these types of contracts, so it’s essential to do your research before opening an account.
Once you’ve found a broker, you’ll need to fund your account and decide what type of contract you want to trade. For example, if you’re interested in commodities, you’ll need to choose a futures contract. If you’re interested in financial assets, you’ll need to choose a financial futures contract.
Now place your order. When placing an order, you’ll need to specify the type of contract, the quantity, the price, and the expiration date. When the order is placed, it will be executed when the underlying asset’s market price reaches your specified price.
Understanding how margins work when trading UK futures contracts is also essential. Margins are used to protect brokers from losses, and they allow you to trade with leverage. When you open a position, you’ll be required to put down a margin, which is a percentage of the contract’s total value.
For example, you want a crude oil futures contract worth $100,000. The margin for this contract might be 5%, which means you would need to put down $5,000 as collateral. It allows you to control $100,000 worth of oil with only $5,000 of your own money.
Finally, it’s essential to understand the risks involved with UK futures trading. Futures contracts are risky investments, and you can lose a significant amount of money if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s vital to educate yourself about the risks before getting started.
Tips for success in futures trading
If you’re new to futures trading, you can do a few things to increase your chances of success. First, it’s crucial to understand the markets and the factors that influence price movements. You can do this by reading books, taking courses, and watching market news.
It’s also important to have realistic expectations; you should not expect to make millions of dollars overnight. Futures trading is a long-term investment, and it takes time to see results.
Finally, it’s important to use risk management techniques to protect your capital. For example, stop-loss orders can limit your losses if the market moves against you. Following these tips provided can increase your chances of success in futures trading.
