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Home / Education / Futures & Options Strategy Guide / Long Futures

Long Futures

Overview

Pattern evolution:

Long Futures

Learn 21 futures and options trading strategies in this complimentary,  easy-to-read guide. Download Now >>

When to use: When you are bullish on the market and uncertain about volatility. You will not be affected by volatility changing. However, if you have an opinion on volatility and that opinion turns out to be correct, one of the other strategies may have greater profit potential and/or less risk.

Profit characteristics: Profit increases as market rises. Profit is based strictly on the difference between the exit price and the entry price.

Loss characteristics: Loss increases as market falls. Loss is based strictly on the difference between the exit price and the entry price.

Decay characteristics: None.

CATEGORY: Directional
SYNTHETICS: Long put A, short call A

Example

Long Futures Example

Scenario:
This trader feels that Live Cattle futures are poised for a rally. The implied volatility of the options is relatively high, but the trader does not expect it to come down soon. Therefore, he decides to buy one futures contract.

Specifics:
Underlying Futures Contract: April Live Cattle
Futures Price Level: 73.00
Days to Futures Expiration: 75
Days to Options Expiration: 55
Option Implied Volatility: 16.2%
Position: Long 1 Futures

At Expiration:
Breakeven: 73.00 (original futures price)
Loss Risk: Unlimited; losses increase as futures fall.
Potential Gain: Unlimited; profits increase as futures rise.

Things to Watch:
Changes in implied volatility have no effect on this position. If the trader has an opinion on volatility, he may consider another strategy. Another strategy may increase potential profits and/or reduce potential losses. Check the next page for suggested follow-up strategies.

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Additional Futures & Options Strategies

  • How to Use This Guide
  • Long Synthetic Futures
  • Short Synthetic Futures
  • Long Risk Reversal
  • Short Risk Reversal
  • Long Call
  • Short Call
  • Long Put
  • Short Put
  • Bull Spread
  • Bear Spread
  • Long Butterfly
  • Short Butterfly
  • Long Iron Butterfly
  • Short Iron Butterfly
  • Long Straddle
  • Short Straddle
  • Long Strangle
  • Short Strangle
  • Ratio Call Spread
  • Ratio Put Spread
  • Ratio Call Backspread
  • Ratio Put Backspread
  • Box or Conversion

Contents Courtesy of CME Group.

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The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

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