Gold futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts in which the contract buyer agrees to take delivery, from the seller, a specific quantity of gold at a predetermined price on a future delivery date. Gold futures give companies involved in the precious metals industry a way to hedge their gold price risk on an expected future purchase or sale of gold. They also allow investors to participate in an easy and convenient alternative to traditional means of investing in gold. Gold can be considered the ultimate store of value. Buying gold futures contracts as an anti-inflation hedge may be their primary use. The liquidity of the gold futures contract often makes it easier to take advantage of opportunities in nearly all market conditions.
