Definition
A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specific asset at a predetermined price at a specified future date. Itβs like placing a bet on the future price of something like gold or oil. Think of it as a commitment to a future transaction. Without it, you miss an opportunity to speculate or hedge against price changes; with it, you can potentially profit from market movements. It allows investors to manage risk. It's a cornerstone of commodity trading. π