What are Commodity Futures?
Commodity Futures are contracts to buy specific quantity of a particular commodity at a future date. It is similar to the Index futures and Stock futures but the underlying happens to be commodities instead of Stocks and indices.

Commodity Futures are recently introduced in India. Aren’t they?
Commodity futures market has been in existence in India for centuries. The Government of India banned futures trading in certain commodities in 70s. However trading in commodity futures has been permitted again by the government in order to help the Commodity producers, traders and investors. World-wide, commodity exchanges originated before the other financial exchanges. Infact most of the derivatives instruments had their birth in commodity exchanges.

What are the major commodity Exchanges?
The Government of India permitted establishment of National-level Multi-Commodity exchanges in the year 2002 and accordingly three exchanges have come into picture. They are

• Multi-Commodity Exchange of India Ltd, Mumbai (MCX).
• National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange of India, Mumbai (NCDEX).
• National Multi Commodity Exchange, Ahmedabad (NMCE).

However there are regional commodity exchanges functioning all over the country. Karvy Comtrade Ltd has got membership of both the premier commodity exchanges i.e. MCX and NCDEX.

At international level there are major commodity exchanges in USA, Japan and UK
Some of the most popular exchanges around the world are given below along with the major commodities traded:

Commodity markets are small. Aren’t They?
This is the biggest myth about the commodities market. Commodities (spot) Markets in India are about Rs.11 trillion worth per annum. Internationally the futures market in commodities is 5- 20 times that of the spot market. Look at the table given below. Even if we assume a 5 times multiple the commodity futures markets can grow up to become Rs.55 trillion.

What are the volumes in commodity exchanges recently?
The two exchanges (NCDEX & MCX) have seen tremendous growth in less than two years. The daily average on these two exchanges put together has now grown to a healthy Rs.3700 Crores. It has been believed by experts that the volumes on these exchanges would overtake the stock market volumes in the days to come.

What are the working hours for the commodity exchanges?

Commodity Exchanges (MCX and NCDEX) function from 10.00 Am to 11.55 PM with a break of 30 minutes between 5.00 PM and 5.30 PM. However some specific commodities with strong international price linkages (such as Gold, Silver, Soy oil, Crude Oil etc) are allowed to be traded after 8.00 PM.

Who regulates the commodity exchanges?

Just as SEBI regulates the stock exchanges, commodity exchanges are regulated by Forwards Market Commission (FMC); Forwards Market Commission is under the purview of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Public Distribution.

Who benefits from dealing in commodity futures and how?

Commodity futures are beneficial to a large section of the society, be it farmer, businessmen, industrialist, importer, exporter, consumer et all.

If you are an investor, commodities futures represent a good form of investment because of the following reasons.

• Diversification – The returns from commodities market are free from the direct influence of the equity and debt market, which means that they are capable of being used as effective hedging instruments providing better diversification.
• Less Manipulations - Commodities markets, as they are governed by international price movements are less prone to rigging or price manipulations by individuals.
• High Leverage – The margins in the commodity futures market are less than the F&O section of the equity market.

If you are an importer or an exporter, commodities futures can help you in the following ways…

• Hedge against price fluctuations – Wide fluctuations in the prices of import or export products can directly affect your bottom-line as the price at which you import/export is fixed before-hand. Commodity futures help you to procure or sell the commodities at a price decided months before the actual transaction, thereby ironing out any fluctuation in prices that happen subsequently.

If you are a producer of a commodity, futures can help you as follows:

• Lock-in the price for your produce – If you are a farmer, there is every chance that the price of your produce may come down drastically at the time of harvest. By taking positions in commodity futures you can effectively lock-in the price at which you wish to sell your produce
• Assured demand – Any glut in the market can make you wait unendingly for a buyer. Selling commodity futures contract can give you assured demand at the time of harvest.
• Increase in holding power – You can store the underlying commodity in exchange approved warehouse and sell in the futures to realize the future value of the commodity.

If you are a large scale consumer of a product, here is how this market can help you:

• Control your cost – If you are an industrialist, the raw material cost dictates the final price of your output. Any sudden rise in the price of raw materials can compel you to pass on the hike to your customers and make your products unattractive in the market. By buying commodity futures, you can fix the price of your raw material.
• Ensure continuous supply – Any shortfall in the supply of raw materials can stall your production and make you default on your sale obligations. You can avoid this risk by buying a commodity futures contract by which you are assured of supply of a fixed quantity of materials at a pre-decided price at the appointed time.

How risky are these markets compared to stock & bond markets?

Commodity prices are generally less volatile than the stocks and this has been statistically proven. Therefore it's relatively safer to trade in commodities.

Also the regulatory authorities ensure through continuous vigil that the commodity prices are market-driven and free from manipulations.

However all investments are subject to market risk and depends on the individual decision. There is risk of loss while trading in commodity futures like any other financial instruments.

Are the trades/ settlement guaranteed by the exchanges?

YES, the commodity exchanges have got some of the most high profile corporate as their promoters. Multi Commodity exchange of India, promoted by Financial Technologies Ltd has got on board institutions such as SBI, HDFC Bank, Canara Bank, Corporation Bank, Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda. The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) has got NSE, ICICI, NABARD, CRISIL, LIC, PNB, Canara Bank as the major share-holders. Such a high profile share-holding provides these exchanges valuable experience, knowledge and also high standards of operations . Also the exchange guarantees the settlement of trades and so eliminates the counter-party risk in the transactions. The exchange for this purpose maintains a Settlement –Guarantee fund akin to the stock exchanges.

Are there physical deliveries in commodity futures exchanges?

YES, the exchanges, in order to maintain the futures prices in line with the spot market, have made available provisions of settlement of contracts by physical delivery. They also make sure that the price of futures and spot prices coincide during the settlement so that the arbitrage opportunities do not exist.

How the deliveries are made possible?

The exchange has enlisted certain cities for specific commodities as the delivery centres. The seller of commodity futures, upon expiry of the contract may choose to deliver physical stock instead of settling the positions by cash, in which case he would be required to deliver the stocks to the specified warehouses. The buyer of the commodity futures, if he is interested in physical delivery would be matched with a seller and would be required to take delivery of the specified quantity of stock from the designated warehouse. World-wide commodity futures are generally used for hedging and speculation and hence physical deliveries are negligible. However the possibility of physical delivery has made these markets more attractive in India. Both NCDEX and MCX have successfully completed physical delivery in bullions and various agro-commodities.

In case of NCDEX it is mandatory to open a Demat account with an approved DP by the buyer and seller if they wish to take/ give delivery of goods.

Please note the delivery and settlement procedure differs for each exchange and commodity. Read the delivery/ settlement procedure carefully or contact us before deciding to give/ take physical delivery.

Do I need to pay sales tax on all trades? Is registration mandatory?

NO. If the trade is squared off no sales tax is applicable. The sales tax is applicable only in case of trade resulting into delivery. Normally its seller's responsibility to collect and pay the sales tax. The sales tax is applicable at the place of delivery. Those who are willing to opt for physical delivery need to have sales tax registration number.

Are any transaction duty charges imposed on commodity futures contracts, as in case of stocks?

Although FMC does not levy any transaction charges as of now, the respective commodity exchanges levy transaction charges. Transaction charges are in the range of Rs 4 to Rs 6 per lakh/per contract, which may differ for each commodity/ exchange.

What is the date of expiry?

At NCDEX the contracts expire on 20 th day of each month. If 20 th happens to be a holiday the expiry day will be the previous working day.

At MCX the expiry day is 15 th of every month. If 15 th happens to be a holiday the expiry day will be the previous working day. The expiry day also differs for different commodities in both the exchanges.

What are the commodities on which futures trading take place?

At Present futures are available on the following commodities.

How much are the margins on these Commodity futures?

Generally commodity futures require an initial margin between 5-10% of the contract value. The exchanges levy higher additional margin in case of excess volatility. The margin amount varies between exchanges and commodities. Therefore they provide great benefits of leverage in comparison to the stock and index futures trade on the stock exchanges. The exchange also requires the daily profits and losses to be paid in/out on open positions (Mark to Market or MTM) so that the buyers and sellers do not carry a risk of not more than one day.

Following is a table showing the details # regarding major commodities traded on MCX & NCDEX

* MCX Initial margins are shown above. NCDEX follows SPAN margins which could be between 5-10% depending on volatility.

# The specifications are subject to change by the exchanges / FMC

The list given above covers only the popular commodities and not exhaustive.

No. Options in goods are presently prohibited under Section 19 of the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952. No exchange or person can organise or enter into or make or perform options in goods. However the market expects the government to permit options trading in commodities soon.

For any queries or more details please feel free to contact at commodity@karvy.com or call us on 040-23388708 or visit us at www.karvycomtrade.com .

This FAQ intends to give an introduction and information about the commodities futures markets in India. The details specified herein are subject to changes by the exchanges and FMC. Please check with the exchanges/ us before entering into the trade. KARVY GROUP will not be responsible for the information used or whatsoever.