Understanding Expiration and Rollover in Futures Trading

Is it possible to retain futures positions post their expiration?

In futures trading, positions cannot be retained post their expiration in the same contract; they are indeed due for settlement on the contract's expiry. If a trader wishes to maintain exposure to the market, they must perform a rollover (refer to this article).

For instance, if a trader holds a futures contract for ABC Ltd.' shares that is due to expire in March and they want to maintain the position, they cannot simply hold onto the March contract past its expiration. Instead, prior to the expiration of the March contract, they would sell it and simultaneously buy a June futures contract for 'FutureTech'. This way, they have effectively 'rolled over' their position to the June contract. This must be done before the expiry of the current contract to avoid settlement.

The settlement at expiration would be in cash if it's a cash-settled contract, typical for indices and some commodities, or it could involve the physical delivery of the asset if it's a physically settled contract, which is common for certain commodities.
    • Related Articles

    • Can I continue my intraday futures positions beyond the day?

      Absolutely! You can extend your intraday futures position to an overnight position by using the 'Convert' option found under the 'Positions' Tab on the Account Manager. There will not be any additional margin required to convert the position. ...
    • Do I get extra leverage for intraday futures positions?

      Previously, brokers had the latitude to offer clients additional margins for intraday futures trades, requiring less than the margins for overnight transactions. However, with the peak margin regulations in play, this facility is no longer available. ...
    • How to Convert Intraday Positions to CNC on Fyers Web

      Yes, you can convert your 'Intraday' position to 'CNC' (Cash and Carry) in two ways on Fyers Web: 1. Convert Position on Charts: Click on the quantities shown on the chart of your open position. A 'Convert Position' pop-up will appear. Click on ...
    • What happens if my intraday F&O positions aren't closed by end of day?

      Not square off open positions by the end of the day can lead to specific consequences. Here's what you need to know: Auto Square-off by RMS: If your intraday F&O positions remain open, our Risk Management System (RMS) will take action. For segments ...
    • What is Post-Market and can I place an order during Post-Market?

      Post-Market is the period where the trading activities take place just after the closing of the regular stock market session. Post-market sessions are scheduled between 3:40 PM and 4:00 PM on the trading days for both the National Stock Exchange ...