Advanced Futures Price Calculator

Model fair futures values using cost of carry. Test rates, yields, storage assumptions. Explore pricing outputs with charts and export tools.

Calculator Inputs

This tool uses standard cost of carry logic for fair pricing analysis.

Plotly Chart

The chart shows how fair futures value changes across multiple maturities using your submitted assumptions.

Example Data Table

Case Spot Price Rate % Storage % Convenience % Income % Time Estimated Futures
Energy Contract 120.00 6.00 3.00 1.20 0.80 0.75 126.16
Metal Contract 98.50 5.20 2.40 0.60 0.20 1.00 105.67
Agriculture Contract 75.00 4.80 1.50 2.10 0.00 0.50 76.58

Formula Used

Continuous compounding: F = S × e(r + u - y - q)t

Annual compounding: F = S × (1 + r + u - y - q)t

Simple carry model: F = S × [1 + (r + u - y - q)t]

Here, F is futures price, S is spot price, r is risk free rate, u is storage cost, y is convenience yield, q is income yield, and t is time to maturity in years.

The model estimates a no-arbitrage fair value. Positive carry raises futures value. Positive convenience or income yield lowers it.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the current spot price of the asset.
  2. Provide the annual risk free financing rate.
  3. Add storage cost if holding the asset has carrying expenses.
  4. Enter convenience yield if inventory ownership provides benefits.
  5. Enter income yield for dividends or cash flows.
  6. Choose the compounding method used in your pricing assumption.
  7. Submit the form to view results above the calculator.
  8. Review the chart, then export the result as CSV or PDF.

FAQs

1. What does this calculator estimate?

It estimates the fair futures value from spot price and carry variables. The result reflects financing, storage, income, convenience yield, and time to maturity.

2. Why can futures price differ from spot price?

Futures price usually includes carrying effects over time. Financing and storage can raise value, while dividends or convenience benefits can lower it.

3. What is convenience yield?

Convenience yield is the non-cash benefit from physically holding the asset. It often reflects supply security, flexibility, or production continuity.

4. When should storage cost be included?

Include storage cost when inventory holding creates warehousing, insurance, or handling expenses. This is common for commodities and physical goods.

5. Which compounding method should I use?

Use the method matching your pricing convention or classroom requirement. Continuous compounding is common in theory, while annual or simple models are often used in practice examples.

6. What does basis mean here?

Basis is futures price minus spot price in this tool. A positive basis means futures exceeds spot, while a negative basis means the opposite.

7. Can this calculator be used for financial futures?

Yes, but inputs must reflect the contract economics correctly. For dividend-paying assets, use income yield carefully and confirm the contract’s market convention.

8. Is the result a market prediction?

No. It is a fair value estimate under no-arbitrage assumptions. Actual traded futures prices may differ because of liquidity, risk preferences, and market frictions.

Related Calculators

total return swapswaption pricingyield curve bootstrappingbarrier option pricingoption breakeven calculatorcap floor pricingbutterfly spread payoffoption time decayiron condor payoffforward start option

Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.