Gold Options & Futures

Futures Basics

Metal Futures

Buying (Going Long) Gold Futures to Profit from a Rise in Gold Prices

If you are bullish on gold, you can profit from a rise in gold price by taking up a long position in the gold futures market. You can do so by buying (going long) one or more gold futures contracts at a futures exchange.

Example: Long Gold Futures Trade

You decide to go long one near-month NYMEX Gold Futures contract at the price of USD 851.00 per troy ounce. Since each NYMEX Gold Futures contract represents 100 troy ounces of gold, the value of the futures contract is USD 85,100. However, instead of paying the full value of the contract, you will only be required to deposit an initial margin of USD 4,302 to open the long futures position.

Assuming that a week later, the price of gold rises and correspondingly, the price of gold futures jumps to USD 936.10 per troy ounce. Each contract is now worth USD 93,610. So by selling your futures contract now, you can exit your long position in gold futures with a profit of USD 8,510.

Margin Requirements & Leverage

In the examples shown above, although gold prices have moved by only 10%, the ROI generated is 198%. This leverage is made possible by the relatively low margin (approximately 5%) required to control a large amount of gold represented by each contract.

Leverage is a double edged weapon. The above examples only depict positive scenarios whereby the market is favorable towards you. If the market turn against you, you will be required to top up your account to meet the margin requirements in order for your futures position to remain open.

Related Articles

• Gold Futures Basics
• Selling Gold Futures to Profit from a Fall in Gold Prices
• Gold Options Basics
• Gold Call Option Trading Basics
• Gold Put Option Trading Basics
• Hedging Against Rising Gold Prices with Gold Futures
• Hedging Against Falling Gold Prices with Gold Futures