Difference Between Forwards and Futures Contract
For all practical purposes, when a forward contract is standardized and dealt in an organized exchange, it becomes a future contract. Basically, they both seem to be one and the same. However, they differ from each other in the following respects: Nature of the Contract: A forward contract is not at all a standardized one. It tailor made contract in the sense that the terms of the contract like quantity, price, period, date, delivery conditions etc. can be negotiated between the parties according to their convenience. On the other hand, a futures contract is a highly standardized and they can not be altered to the requirements of the parties to the contract. Existence of Secondary Market: Since forward Contract is a customized contract, it is not a standard one. So, it cannot be traded on an organized exchange. With a result, there is no secondary market for a forward Continue reading