Futures contract are mainly used by hedgers, speculators, and arbitrators, which plays a pivotal role in the market. In this context, people often juxtapose the terms hedging and speculation as they are in the way connected with the unanticipated price movements, but they are different in a number of grounds. Hedging is performed by the hedgers to protect themselves against the risk or say to reduce the risk of the changes in the price of the underlying commodity.
On the contrary, speculators perform speculation, in an attempt to earn profit from the changes in the difference between future price and spot price, as they bet on their difference. Hence, the risk is taken intentionally to reap profits.
In this article you may find all the important differences between hedging and speculation, so take a read.
Content: Hedging Vs Speculation
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Hedging | Speculation |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The act of preventing an investment against unforeseen price changes is known as hedging. | Speculation is a process in which the investor involves in a trading of financial asset of significant risk, in the hope of getting profits. |
| What is it? | A means to control price risk. | It relies on the risk factor, in expectation of getting returns. |
| Involves | Protection against price changes. | Incurring risk to make profits from price changes. |
| Operators are | Risk averse | Risk lovers |
Definition of Hedging
By the term hedging, we mean a technique of managing price risk. It is used to minimize or eliminate the probability of substantial loss or profits due to movements in the price of the underlying asset (i.e. A commodity or financial instrument), suffered by an investor. This is possible only by holding contrary positions in two different markets to counterbalance the risk of loss. Therefore, if there is a loss/gain in the cash position because of the price fluctuations, it can be offset by the movements in the prices of a futures position.
Definition of Speculation
The term speculation refers to the process of buying and selling of an asset incorporating considerable risk, in the hope of generating good returns from an anticipated change in the price level.
In an attempt to make huge profits, speculators look for an opportunity where they can take advantage of fluctuations in the price of the financial asset. The asset can be stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, derivatives and other tradable items. They do not trade in any investments randomly rather they take calculated and analyzed risk. The risk may result in bearing the loss of initial outlay in a futures contract or it may turn into rewards.
Key Differences Between Hedging and Speculation
The difference between hedging and speculation can be drawn clearly on following grounds:
Conclusion
In simple terms, hedging means to protect, so as in the case of a futures contract. It means to secure the investment from the unforeseen fall in prices in the near future. It prevents the investor from incurring risk but also minimizes the chances of potential gains.
In speculation, the speculators, always look for an opportunity, where the chances of gains are relatively high, along with a significant amount of risk of losing the initial outlay. They play an extremely important role in stabilizing the financial market in a way that when a normal investor avoids engaging in a riskier financial transaction, speculators go for it. Thus, they help in maintaining liquidity in the economy.
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