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Risks Involved in Futures Trading
from: Maxx Trading GuidesFutures trading is a risky business and anybody who will tell you otherwise, that it's 100% risk-free, is daft or is trying to sell you something. The fact of the matter is, futures trading is a financial gamble. And, like any gamble, you'll never know when you'll win and when you'll lose. The key is simply to play the game based on the cards you're dealt with and hope for the best.
A lot of traders are lured into futures trading because of the great rewards it can potentially bring. However, you must keep in mind the rule of opposites, in that with great rewards, also come great downfalls. Futures trading, because you're gambling with something that is yet to happen, is nowhere near accurate.
There are basically four main risks associated with futures trading. We'll discuss each of them in brief here. If you want to know more, it's suggested that you consult an expert on the matter, because how the futures trading works and pitfalls involved cannot be simply summed up in a short article.
1. It's Speculative.
By this, it's meant that no matter what experts say or predict will happen to the market months or years from now, nobody will be able to make perfect forecasts. Therefore, if you're planning to invest your hard-earned money into financial trades, don't put all your eggs in one basket.
While it's possible that you'll make a fortune from taking this risk, it's also possible that it could send you to the poorhouse. So tread carefully.
2. To be able to trade in your personal account, you must have pure risk capital of at least USD10,000.
Yes, futures trading involves a lot of money at the onset and is definitely not for the faint of heart and the weak pocketed. Thus, if you're looking to earn sums of money in futures trading in order to be able to pay your piling bills, then you could be in for a major financial crisis. Ideally, any person who wants to enter futures trading should have a net worth of around USD100,000 before he decides to take the plunge.
3. It requires ample know-how.
Note that futures trading involves 4 investment categories: namely, speculation, growth, inflation hedges and income. Without adequate knowledge of these four, you won't be able to move freely in the trading market and might even cause yourself to lose.
Don't simply rely on somebody else to do the research and understanding for you. Being able to make intelligent decisions, no matter how inaccurate, will sometimes make the difference between a win and a loss.
4. Don't put in more than 10% of your net on futures.
This backs item number two. Indeed, futures trading shouldn't be your first foray into financial trading. You should only do it when you're confident you have enough knowledge and that your other investments are working out for you.
Again, futures trading exists in a very high-risk environment and it's not advisable for you to splurge, no matter how attractive the possible returns are.
This isn't meant to discourage you from engaging in futures trading. What it seeks to achieve is clarity on your part, so that you won't merely dive in without knowing what risks it entails. Again, banking on futures is a huge gamble. Thus, you must do it only when you're sure you're ready. Good luck!
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Systems Trading Futures News
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Nasdaq CEO sees market role in financial crisis - The Associated Press
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US Stock Futures Extend Drop on ADP Jobs Report; Alcoa Slides - Bloomberg
US Stock Futures Extend Drop on ADP Jobs Report; Alcoa Slides Bloomberg - Alcoa Inc., Citigroup Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. led declines in Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks trading in Europe after ADP Employer Services said ... |
DJ US Wheat Outlook: 8-10c Down On Follow-Through, Weak Exports - MarketWatch (press release)
DJ US Wheat Outlook: 8-10c Down On Follow-Through, Weak Exports MarketWatch (press release) - US wheat futures are set to start lower Thursday on follow-through selling and weak export demand. Chicago Board of Trade March wheat is called to open 8 to ... US Wheat Outlook: 5-7c Lower On Profit-Taking, Pullback US Cash Grain Outlook:Soy/Winter Wheat Bids Mark 3-Month Top |