Home > Futures Trading Basics

Pork Bellies Futures Trading Basics

Pork Bellies futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts in which the contract buyer agrees to take delivery, from the seller, a specific quantity of pork bellies (eg. 40000 pounds) at a predetermined price on a future delivery date.

Pork Bellies Futures Exchanges

You can trade Pork Bellies futures at Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

CME Frozen Pork Bellies futures prices are quoted in dollars and cents per pound and are traded in lot sizes of 40000 pounds (18 metric tons).

Exchange & Product NameSymbolContract SizeInitial Margin
CME Frozen Pork Bellies Futures
(Price Quotes)
PB40000 pounds
(Full Contract Spec)
USD 1,890 (approx. 6%)
(Latest Margin Info)

Pork Bellies Futures Trading

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

Pork Bellies 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 pork bellies price movement. Speculators buy pork bellies futures when they believe that pork bellies prices will go up. Conversely, they will sell pork bellies futures when they think that pork bellies prices will fall.

Related Articles

Bookmark and Share
Browse Glossary: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z