Investopedia

Continue to Site »

Actuals

Filed Under » , ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Actuals'

The physical commodity that underlies a futures contract or is traded in the physical market. This is the homogeneous commodity that is the basis for trade, either through the physical market or a derivative contract such as oil, corn or gold.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Actuals'

Actuals are traded in either the physical market or the futures market. In the physical market, two parties enter into a private agreement to exchange the commodity for cash or another commodity, and delivery almost always occurs. In the futures market, two parties enter into an exchange-traded contract in which one party agrees to deliver a set quantity and quality of the underlying commodity while the other party agrees to purchase the commodity. In this case, delivery is not certain and parties can sell their positions before delivery.

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    Grow Your Finances In The Grain Markets

    Hedging with futures can protect those who buy and sell commodities from adverse price movements.

  2. Trading The Soft Commodity Markets

    Learn the contract specifications for a few of the most heavily traded commodities.

  3. Futures Fundamentals

    For those who are new to futures but want a solid understanding of them, this tutorial explains what futures contracts are, how they work and why investors use them.

  4. Making It Big On Wall Street

    Read about some of the most glamorous Wall Street jobs and what it takes to land one.

  5. Quants: The Rocket Scientists Of Wall Street

    Blend math, finance and computer skills to command a high - and well deserved - salary.

  6. Uncovering Oil And Gas Futures

    Find out how to stay on top of data reports that could cause volatility in oil and gas markets.

  7. Trading Is Timing

    Learn how to make gains even if you don't get in at the right time.

  8. Build A Baby Berkshire

    Get a piece of Warren Buffett's profit by using Form 13F to coattail his picks.

  9. Leading Economic Indicators Predict Market Trends

    Leading indicators help investors to predict and react to where the market is headed.

  10. Cash: A Call Option With No Expiration Date

    Cash is generally regarded as a drag on investment returns, but sometimes it may be preferable to hold a substantial cash amount instead of investing it in other assets. This is because having ...
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Winner's Curse

    Because of incomplete information, emotions or any other number of factors regarding the item being auctioned, bidders can have a difficult time determining the item's intrinsic value. As a result, the largest overestimation of an item's value ends up winning the auction.

  2. Glocalization

    A combination of the words "globalization" and "localization" used to describe a product or service that is developed and distributed globally, but is also fashioned to accommodate the user or consumer in a local market.

  3. Disaster Loss

    A special type of tax-deductible loss, similar to a casualty loss, where a loss has been incurred by taxpayers who reside in an area that has been designated as a federal disaster area by the President.

  4. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.

  5. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.

  6. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.
Trading Center