Platinum Options & Futures

Futures Basics

Metal Futures

Selling (Going Short) Platinum Futures to Profit from a Fall in Platinum Prices

If you are bearish on platinum, you can profit from a fall in platinum price by taking up a short position in the platinum futures market. You can do so by selling (shorting) one or more platinum futures contracts at a futures exchange.

Example: Short Platinum Futures Trade

You decide to go short one near-month NYMEX Platinum Futures contract at the price of USD 964.00/oz. Since each Platinum futures contract represents 50 troy ounces of platinum, the value of the contract is USD 48,200. To enter the short futures position, you have to put up an initial margin of USD 8,100.

A week later, the price of platinum falls and correspondingly, the price of NYMEX Platinum futures drops to USD 867.60 per troy ounce. Each contract is now worth only USD 43,380. So by closing out your futures position now, you can exit your short position in Platinum Futures with a profit of USD 4,820.

Margin Requirements & Leverage

In the examples shown above, although platinum prices have moved by only 10%, the ROI generated is 0%. This leverage is made possible by the relatively low margin (approximately 17%) required to control a large amount of platinum 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

• Platinum Futures Basics
• Buying Platinum Futures to Profit from a Rise in Platinum Prices
• Platinum Options Basics
• Platinum Call Option Trading Basics
• Platinum Put Option Trading Basics
• Hedging Against Rising Platinum Prices with Platinum Futures
• Hedging Against Falling Platinum Prices with Platinum Futures