Example assumptions: Prices, premiums, margin deposits, exchange names and contract sizes below are historical teaching inputs. They are not current quotes or an offer of a listed contract. Check the current market resources and the exact option or futures specifications. Examples exclude fees and funding costs.
If you are bearish on zinc, you can profit from a fall in zinc price by taking up a short position in the zinc futures market. You can do so by selling (shorting) one or more zinc futures contracts at a futures exchange.
Example: Short Zinc Futures Trade
You decide to go short one near-month LME Zinc Futures contract at the price of USD 1,212/ton. Since each Zinc futures contract represents 25 tonnes of zinc, the value of the contract is USD 30,300. To enter the short futures position, you have to put up an initial margin of USD 5,000.
A week later, the price of zinc falls and correspondingly, the price of LME Zinc futures drops to USD 1,091 per tonne. Each contract is now worth only USD 27,270. So by closing out your futures position now, you can exit your short position in Zinc Futures with a profit of USD 3,030.
| Short Zinc Futures Strategy: Sell HIGH, Buy LOW | |
| SELL 25 tonnes of zinc at USD 1,212/ton | USD 30,300 |
| BUY 25 tonnes of zinc at USD 1,091/ton | USD 27,270 |
| Profit | USD 3,030 |
| Initial margin (assumed collateral) | USD 5,000 |
| Return on assumed initial margin | 61% |
Margin Requirements & Leverage
In the examples shown above, although zinc prices have moved by only 10%, the ROI generated is 0%. This leverage is made possible by the relatively low margin (approximately 17%) required to control a large amount of zinc represented by each contract.
Leverage is a double edged weapon. The above examples only depict positive scenarios whereby the market is favorable towards you. If the market turn against you, you will be required to top up your account to meet the margin requirements in order for your futures position to remain open.
Learn More About Zinc Futures & Options Trading
What the margin return leaves out
The return shown divides the example’s gain by its assumed opening collateral. It is not a return on a fully paid commodity purchase, an expected return, or a loss limit. Brokers can change margin requirements or liquidate positions, and futures losses can exceed the amount initially deposited. Some contracts can trade below zero; do not assume a universal zero price floor.
