| Session 16: Derivative Investments: Forwards and Futures Reading 61: Futures Markets and Contracts
 
 
 LOS b: Determine the value of a futures contract.     The value of a futures contract between the times when the account is marked-to-market is: 
 
 
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| A) | equal to the difference between the price of a newly issued contract and the settle price at the most recent mark-to-market period. |  |  
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| B) | never less than the value of a forward contract entered into on the same date. |  |  
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| C) | the same as the contract price. |  |  
 
   
Between the mark-to-market account adjustments, the contract value is calculated just like that of a forward contract; it is the difference between the price at the last mark-to-market and the current futures price, (i.e. the futures price on a newly issued contract). The mark-to-market of a futures contract is the payment or receipt of funds necessary to adjust for the gains or losses on the position. This adjusts the contract price to the ‘no-arbitrage’ price currently prevailing in the market.  |