Futures vs Forward | Top 19 Useful Differences to Learn

Difference Between Futures vs Forward

Future is a contract that is traded publically on the future exchange while forwards are customized private agreements that are privately traded over the counter and not on the future exchange. A futures contract is publically quoted and traded on the futures exchange whereas a forward contract is directly negotiated by the customer and the supplier. A futures contract is standardized and it is generally used for the purpose of speculation whereas a forward contract is customized as per the needs of the buyers and is generally used for the purpose of hedging. A futures contract is regulated by the government. CFTC (the Commodity Futures Trading Commission) governs futures contract market whereas forwards contract is not regulated by the government or any governing body. A futures contract has a lower rate of counterparty risk whereas a forward contract has a higher rate of counterparty risk.

The expiry date and the contract size of a futures contract are standardized whereas the expiry date and the contract size of a forwards contract completely depend on the financial transaction as well as the requirements quoted by the parties to a particular transaction. Futures contracts are standardized whereas forwards contracts are over the counter (OTC) contracts. Futures contract are settled on a maturity date whereas forwards contracts are settled on a daily basis. Futures contract are highly liquid as compared to a forwards contract. In a futures contract, the settlement is made on a daily basis whereas, in a forwards contract, the settlement will take place at the end of a particular period.

Head to Head Comparison between Futures vs Forward (Infographics)

Below are the top 19 differences between Futures vs Forward

Key Differences between Futures vs Forward

The key differences between a futures and forwards contract are provided and discussed as follows-

A futures contract is publically traded on the futures exchange whereas forwards contract is privately traded between the participants of an agreement.
Futures contracts are less expensive whereas forwards contract is more expensive.
The size of future contracts is fixed whereas the size of a forwards contract depends on the transaction as well as the terms of the contracting parties.
The payment date of future contracts is fixed whereas the payment date of a forwards contract depends on the transaction as well as the terms of the contracting parties.
Futures contracts are less risky as compared to the forward’s contract.
Futures comprise of the delivery mechanism, contract size and dates whereas forwards are tailor-made contracts.
Futures are publically traded whereas forwards are privately traded.
Futures are traded on the futures exchange whereas forwards are traded over the counter (OTC).
Futures are highly liquid in comparison to forwards.
Futures are regulated by the CFTC (the Commodity Futures Trading Commission) whereas forwards are unregulated.
There is a need to make initial margin payment in the future whereas there is no need to make initial margin payment in the forwards.

Futures vs Forward Comparison table

Let’s discuss the top comparison between Futures vs Forward:

Basis of Comparison	Futures	Forward
Purpose	A futures contract is used for the purpose of speculation.	Forwards contract is used for the purpose of hedging.
Method of transaction	A futures contract is quoted and traded on the futures exchange.	A forwards contract is directly negotiated by the seller and the customer of a financial transaction.
Regulated by	Futures contracts are regulated by the CFTC (the Commodity Futures Trading Commission).	Forwards contract are unregulated.
Level of risks involved	Futures contract involves lower counterparty risks.	Forwards contract involves higher counterparty risks.
Date of expiry	Standardized	It depends on the transaction.
Contract maturity	These types of contracts may or may not mature upon the delivery of a financial asset.	These types of contracts mature upon the delivery of a financial asset.
Size of the contract	The size of the contract standardized.	The size of the contract depends on the transaction as well as the requirements of the parties to an agreement.
Market	Primary market.	Primary as well as the secondary market.
Examples	Commodity future, Bond future, FX future, IR future, etc few examples of a futures contract.	Commodity forward, FX forward, FRA are few examples of forwards contract.
Settlement	Delivery i.e. Forwards contract is settled on a day to day basis.	Offset delivery i.e. Futures contract are settled on the date of maturity.
Nature i.e. Standardised/ customised	Futures contract are standardized in nature.	Forwards contract is customized or tailor-made in nature.
Traded on?	Futures contracts are traded through futures exchange only.	Forwards contract are traded over the counter.
Liquidity	Futures contract offer a higher rate of liquidity.	Forwards contracts offer a lower rate of liquidity.
Margin	Margins are compulsory to be paid as Initial margin payments are mandatory.	In a forwards contract, there are no margin systems as the initial payments are not at all required.
Mark to market	Futures contracts are marked on a daily basis to market.	Forwards contract are not marked to the market.
Counterparty	There are negligible counterparty risks in a futures contract.	There are counterparty risks involved in a forwards contract.
Transaction timing	The transactions are marked every day.	Transactions are marked on the date of purchase and settlement.
Default	There are higher chances of default in futures contracts.	There are negligible chances of default in a forwards contract.
Expensive	Futures contract are less expensive.	Forwards contract is more expensive.

Conclusion

A futures contract can be defined as a contract in which there is an agreement between the parties for the purpose of exchanging a financial asset against cash at a pre-determined price and at a specified date in the nearing time. On the other hand, forwards contracts can be defined as a contractual agreement between the parties for the purpose of buying and selling the underlying financial assets at a mutually agreed rate and at a future specified date. A futures contract is traded publically on the exchange whereas a forward contract is privately traded over the counter. Futures contract are fixed and highly liquid whereas forwards contracts are customized and offer a lower level of liquidity in comparison to the former. Futures contract involves lower counterparty risks whereas forwards contract involves higher counterparty risks.

Difference Between Futures vs Forward

Head to Head Comparison between Futures vs Forward (Infographics)

Key Differences between Futures vs Forward

Futures vs Forward Comparison table

Conclusion

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