Continued from page 1
So Trader Bob and Trader Sam get together and agree upon a price for
widget. Trader Bob is now
proud owner. If
value of
widget indeed increases in
future, then Trader Bob can become a seller and part with
widget with a profit. If
value of
item decreases in
future then Trader Bob will have to sell
widget for a loss.
This basic relationship between buyer and seller is
foundation for all commerce. Futures are simply a variation on this theme, where instead of buying a widget now, Trader Bob contracts to buy
widget in a few months at a fixed price. The transaction still relies on
buyer believing
price will go up, and
seller believing
price will go down.
Trading Critters
Futures traders fall into two categories: hedgers and speculators. The primary economic purpose of
futures market is for hedging, which is buying or selling futures contracts to offsets risks of changing prices in
cash markets. Hedge traders, such as large commercial firms that may actually take delivery of certain commodities, like coffee or wheat, use futures contracts to protect (hedge) themselves against changing cash prices.
Speculators, however, make up
majority of futures traders. Speculators have no commercial interest in
underlying commodity and have no interest in taking delivery of
commodity. The potential for profit is what motivates speculators to trade commodity futures. Speculators buy when they believe that prices will increase and they sell when they believe that prices will fall. Futures traders using STARS would be considered speculators.
Basic Basics
If a trader is a buyer, he has taken a long position. A long position involves
purchase of a futures contracts in
hope that
price of
contract will increase in
future. Let’s say our friend Trader Bob contracts in March to buy a widget (a long position) in June for $10. June rolls around, and
price of a widget is now $13. That means Bob now has
right to buy
widget for $10 even though
going rate is $13. Bob goes ahead and buys
widget for $10, then turns around and immediately sells it for $13, pocketing
difference.
A trader who is a seller takes a short position, which involves
sale of futures contracts in anticipation of prices falling in
future. Trader Bob in this case contracts in June to sell a widget in September for $13. Fall comes around, and
going rate for widget in September turns out to be $9. Trader Bob buys a widget for that going rate of $9, then immediately turns around and exercises his right sell
widget for $13, profiting from
difference. At first, it might seem odd that Trader Bob is contracting to sell something he does not yet own. But look at
situation this way instead: in June, Bob makes a commitment to sell a widget to Sam in September for a guaranteed price of $13. If Bob can buy
widget for less than that sometime before September, he will make a profit.
All of this is made simple and easy in Build Wealth From Home. Like Bob, you too can make huge profits by trading
STARS method. You just have to take
first step and get your hands on
this book that will change your life. Let us show you how to trade
right way,
only way, and a lifetime of prosperity can be yours.
There is no better way to make money at home!
Learn more at www.howtobuildwealthfromhome.com
Copyright © Jeff Schweitzer
PERMISSIONS TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in its entirety free of charge, electronically or in print, provided it appears with
included copyright and author’s resource box with live website link.
