Spotkurs

Spotkurs, or spot price, is the current market price at which an asset can be bought or sold for immediate delivery. It reflects the value of a currency, commodity, or security at a given moment and is driven by supply and demand on the spot market. In currency markets, the Spotkurs denotes the price of one currency in terms of another for immediate settlement, typically settled two business days after the trade date (T+2) for most major pairs. Quotes are usually provided as a bid (the price dealers are willing to pay to buy) and an ask (the price they are willing to accept to sell). The rate offered to individual customers often includes a margin or commission.

For commodities such as gold or oil, the spot price is the price for immediate delivery, with settlement occurring soon after the trade according to market conventions. Spot prices are published by exchanges and data providers and serve as a basis for hedging, pricing, and mark-to-market accounting.

Spot prices are contrasted with forward or futures prices, which apply to delivery at a future date and incorporate expectations about future supply and demand, carry costs, storage, and interest rate differentials. The spot price provides a real-time benchmark that can fluctuate moment to moment, while forward curves reflect anticipated future conditions. The term is widely used in banking, trading, and financial reporting and may vary in terminology and specifics across asset classes.