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 Jumps On Global Economic Concerns

Gold moved sharply higher on Monday as China's housing market showed signs of cooling and Ukraine looked for international financial aid.

Gold Edges Higher Ahead Weaker U.S. Home Sales Data

Gold climbed slightly in Friday trading before the release of a report showing that existing home sales fell last month.

Gold Sinks on Weaker Chinese Factory Data

A decline in a key Chinese manufacturing index sent gold down for a second consecutive session on Thursday.

Gold Rally Stalls Ahead of Release of Fed Minutes

Gold dipped in Wednesday trading, snapping nine straight positive sessions, ahead of the release of minutes from the Fed's January meeting.

Gold Rises on Weaker Economic Data

Gold rose modestly on Tuesday after two reports suggested continued weakness in the U.S. economy.

Gold Jumps, Ends Week Up More than 4%

Gold climbed sharply on Friday, gaining for an eighth straight session, to end the week up 4.4%.

Gold Gains Again, Rises Above $1,300 an Ounce

Gold gained for a seventh consecutive session on Thursday, settling above $1,300 an ounce, as government reports suggested a weaker U.S. economy.

Gold Rally Continues for Sixth Session

Gold moved higher again on Wednesday, the sixth straight session of gains for the metal, which is closing in on $1,300 an ounce.

Gold Extends Rally After Yellen Comments

Gold notched its fifth straight gain after Fed Chair Janet Yellen told Congress she would stay the Fed's current course and a new budget battle was averted.

Gold Gains for Fourth Straight Session

Gold rose in Monday trading, settling at its highest price since mid-November, ahead of Tuesday testimony by Janet Yellen before a congressional committee.

Gold Ends Week Up Nearly 2%

The U.S. government reported lower-than-forecast job growth for January, pushing gold up modestly on Friday, and ending the week with a gain of almost 2%.

Gold Edges Higher Ahead of January Jobs Report

Gold futures for April delivery rose by 30 cents on Thursday as investors looked forward to the release of key U.S. jobs data on Friday.

Gold Rises on Weak January Jobs Data

Gold rose modestly in Wednesday trading after ADP said private employers added fewer-than-expected jobs in January.

Gold Drops as Equities, U.S. Dollar Rebound

Gold sank modestly in Tuesday trading, shedding some of the prior session's gains as U.S. stock markets recovered from Monday's drop.

Gold Jumps on Weak Manufacturing, Sinking Equities

Gold rallied on Monday as weaker-than-expected manufacturing data for January sent U.S. stock markets into retreat.

Gold Posts 3% Gain for January

Gold moved slightly lower on Friday, ending the week down almost 2%, but recording a 3% gain for January.

Gold Drops in the Wake of Fed Tapering Decision

Gold and silver pulled back sharply in Thursday trading, a day after the Federal Reserve said it would further reduce its monthly stimulus.

Gold Gains Ahead of Fed Tapering Announcement

Gold futures rose almost 1% in Wednesday trading prior to an announcement by the Federal Reserve that it will further taper its monthly bond-buying.

Gold Sinks on Stronger U.S. Consumer Confidence

Gold fell back in Tuesday trading after the Conference Board's consumer confidence index rose more than expected in January.