Framtíðarsamningur

Framtíðarsamningur is an Icelandic term that translates to "futures contract" in English. It is a legally binding agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specific date in the future. These contracts are standardized and traded on organized exchanges, such as stock exchanges or commodity exchanges. The underlying assets can range from commodities like oil and agricultural products to financial instruments like currencies and stock indices.

The primary purpose of a futures contract is to manage price risk. Producers can use them to lock in a selling price for their goods, while consumers can secure a purchase price, thereby hedging against potential price fluctuations. Speculators also participate in futures markets, betting on the future direction of prices. When a futures contract expires, the buyer is obligated to purchase the asset and the seller is obligated to sell it at the agreed-upon price, unless the contract is closed out beforehand by taking an offsetting position. The price of a futures contract is influenced by factors such as the current spot price of the asset, interest rates, storage costs, and market expectations about future supply and demand.