Silver Options & Futures

Futures Basics

Metal Futures

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

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

Example: Long Silver Futures Trade

You decide to go long one near-month TOCOM Silver Futures contract at the price of JPY 30.23 per gram. Since each TOCOM Silver Futures contract represents 30000 grams of silver, the value of the futures contract is JPY 906,900. However, instead of paying the full value of the contract, you will only be required to deposit an initial margin of JPY 108,000 to open the long futures position.

Assuming that a week later, the price of silver rises and correspondingly, the price of silver futures jumps to JPY 33.25 per gram. Each contract is now worth JPY 997,590. So by selling your futures contract now, you can exit your long position in silver futures with a profit of JPY 90,690.

Margin Requirements & Leverage

In the examples shown above, although silver prices have moved by only 10%, the ROI generated is 84%. This leverage is made possible by the relatively low margin (approximately 12%) required to control a large amount of silver 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

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