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Oats Futures Trading Basics

Oats futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts in which the contract buyer agrees to take delivery, from the seller, a specific quantity of oats (eg. 5000 bushels) at a predetermined price on a future delivery date.

Oats Futures Exchanges

You can trade Oats futures at Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT).

CBOT Oats futures prices are quoted in dollars and cents per bushel and are traded in lot sizes of 5000 bushels (86 metric tons).

Exchange & Product NameSymbolContract SizeInitial Margin
CBOT Oats Futures
(Price Quotes)
O5000 bushels
(Full Contract Spec)
USD 1,350 (approx. 13%)
(Latest Margin Info)

Oats Futures Trading

Consumers and producers of oats can manage oats price risk by purchasing and selling oats futures. Oats producers can employ a short hedge to lock in a selling price for the oats they produce while businesses that require oats can utilize a long hedge to secure a purchase price for the commodity they need.

Oats futures are also traded by speculators who assume the price risk that hedgers try to avoid in return for a chance to profit from favorable oats price movement. Speculators buy oats futures when they believe that oats prices will go up. Conversely, they will sell oats futures when they think that oats prices will fall.

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