Stock Futures


stock futures

Source: istockphoto

Futures are financial contracts between two parties that constitute the purchase or sale of an asset at a set future date and price. Stock futures are a type of derivative instrument, where the agreed upon price is the futures price and the agreed upon date is the delivery date. The asset is specified to a standardized quantity and quality for the futures exchange.

The futures exchange is virtually an intermediary to ensure the contract’s fulfillment through the margin and marking to market. Ultimately, the cash exchanged is not necessarily the price set on the contract but rather asset’s current price as the difference will have already been reconciled through marking to market.

Gold and Silver Report: AUY Sinks After GG Drops Hostile Osisko Bid

Gold rose for a second session on increasing tensions in Ukraine. AUY shares fell after GG abandoned its hostile bid for Osisko Mining.

Gold and Silver Report: Newmont Mining and AEM Climb as Gold Gains

Gold rose slightly on Wednesday, pushed higher by a weak U.S. housing report, while Newmont Mining and AEM shares outpaced the gains of other mining stocks.

Gold and Silver Report: EGO Stock and NovaGold Gain as Gold Slides

Gold prices slid modestly in Tuesday trading despite harsher U.S. rhetoric over Ukraine. NovaGold and EGO stock rose higher than other gold mining stocks.

Gold and Silver Report: NEM Stock Surges on Report of Failed ABX Merger

Gold slid in Monday trading as equities markets gained. Meanwhile, NEM stock jumped after its rumored merger with Barrick Gold collapsed; ABX finished lower.

Gold and Silver Report: Gold Prices Fall on Ukraine Diplomatic Agreement

A preliminary agreement to reduce tensions between Ukraine and Russia weakened gold's safe haven appeal, sending gold prices lower on Thursday.

Gold and Silver Report: AUY, AEM Stock Drop on Joint Osisko Bid

Gold rose slightly on Ukraine tensions, while AUY and AEM stock tumbled as the two miners launched a friendly $3.55 billion bid for rival Osisko Mining.

Gold and Silver Report: Gold Moves to 3-Week High, Hecla Mining Climbs

Safe-haven buying on worries over rising violence in Eastern Ukraine pushed gold higher on Monday. Hecla Mining led silver miners higher.

Gold and Silver Report: GG Sinks on Higher Hostile Bid for Osisko

Gold jumped as investor fears of a Fed interest rate hike eased. Meanwhile, Goldcorp (GG) fell after it raised its hostile takeover bid for rival Osisko.

Gold and Silver Report: HL Surges on Q1 Production

Gold prices settled lower on Wednesday, as did silver. However, HL stock rose sharply after Hecla Mining reported higher Q1 gold and silver production.

Gold Rallies on Renewed Ukraine Tensions

Gold gained in Tuesday trading as pro-Russian mobs in Eastern Ukraine threatened to spark a new confrontation between Russia and the U.S.

Gold Jumps Above $1,300 an Ounce on March Jobs Data

Gold rose sharply on Friday after the government said the U.S. economy produced fewer new jobs than economists had expected in March.

Gold Sinks as U.S. Dollar Rallies

A pledge by the European Central Bank to stimulate Europe's economy boosted the U.S. dollar and sent gold down in Thursday trading.

Gold Gains as Investors Await Jobs Data

Gold posted its first gain in six sessions on Wednesday as investors await the release of the Labor Department's March jobs report on Friday.

Gold Slips Again on Upbeat U.S. Economic Data

Gold futures fell for a fifth consecutive session on Tuesday on better U.S. manufacturing news.

Gold Drops for Fourth Straight Session

Gold settled lower for a fourth consecutive session on Monday, while silver dipped, and mining stocks moved broadly lower.

Gold Prices Post Weekly Loss of 3%

Gold prices fell fractionally in Friday trading on stronger consumer spending and personal income data, ending the week down about 3%.

Gold Slides Below $1,300 an Ounce

Gold retreated again on Thursday, falling below $1,300 an ounce, as data suggested a stronger U.S. economy, boosting the U.S. dollar.

Gold Sinks as U.S. Dollar Rallies

Gold fell again on Wednesday under pressure from a rising U.S. dollar and approaching the $1,300 per ounce benchmark.

Gold Rebounds to Post Slight Gain

Gold edged higher to post a 20 cent gain on Tuesday, a day ahead of the expiration of April option contracts.