Glossary

Basis Swap

See Also:

Basis: Basis is the difference between the current cash price of a commodity and the futures price of the same commodity. In more details, the Basis is the difference between the spot or cash price of a commodity and the price of the nearest futures contract for the same or a related commodity. Basis is usually computed in relation to the futures contract next to expire and may reflect different time periods, product forms, grades, or locations.

Swap: In general, the exchange of one asset or liability for a similar asset or liability for the purpose of lengthening or shortening maturities, or raising or lowering coupon rates, to maximize revenue or minimize financing costs. Swap may entail selling one securities issue and buying another in foreign currency; it may entail buying a currency on the spot market and simultaneously selling it forward. Swaps also may involve exchanging income flows; for example, exchanging the fixed rate coupon stream of a bond for a variable rate payment stream, or vice versa, while not swapping the principal component of the bond. Swaps are generally traded over-the-counter.

Cash Settlement: Cash Settlement is a method of settling certain futures or options contracts whereby the market participants settle in cash (payment of money rather than delivery of the commodity) value of the commodity traded according to a procedure specified in the contract.. Cash Settlement is also called Financial Settlement, especially in energy derivatives.

CIF: CIF is the cost, insurance, and freight paid to a point of destination and included in the price quoted.

Close: Close is the exchange-designated period at the end of the trading session during which all transactions are considered made "at the close."

Commodity: A commodity, as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, includes the agricultural commodities enumerated in Section 1a(4) of the Commodity Exchange Act, 7 USC 1a(4), and all other goods and articles, except onions as provided in Public Law 85-839 (7 USC 13-1), a 1958 law that banned futures trading in onions, and all services, rights, and interests in which contracts for future delivery are presently or in the future dealt in.

Contract: Contract is a term of reference describing a unit of trading for a commodity future or option. At the same time contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specified commodity, detailing the amount and grade of the product and the date on which the contract will mature and become deliverable.

Futures: Futures (also called Futures Contract) is a legally binding agreement to buy or sell a commodity or financial instrument at a later date. Futures contracts are normally standardized according to the quality, quantity, delivery time and location for each commodity, with price as the only variable.

Futures Contract: Futures Contract is an agreement to purchase or sell a commodity for delivery in the future: (1) at a price that is determined at initiation of the contract; (2) that obligates each party to the contract to fulfill the contract at the specified price; (3) that is used to assume or shift price risk; and (4) that may be satisfied by delivery or offset.

Settlement Price: Settlement Price (also referred to as Closing Price) is the last price paid for a futures contract on any trading day. Settlement prices are used to determine open trade equity, margin calls and invoice prices for deliveries. Settlement price at which the clearing organization clears all trades and settles all accounts between clearing members of each contract month. The term also refers to a price established by the exchange to even up positions which may not be able to be liquidated in regular trading.

Spot: Spot usually refers to a cash market for a physical commodity where the parties generally expect immediate delivery of the actual commodity.

Spot Price: Spot Price is the price at which a physical commodity for immediate delivery is selling at a given time and place. See Cash Price.

Underlying Commodity: Underlying Commodity is the cash commodity underlying a futures contract. Also, the commodity or futures contract on which a commodity option is based, and which must be accepted or delivered if the option is exercised.

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