Written by Upstox Desk
6 min read | Updated on July 31, 2025, 18:25 IST
Summary
What is a front month contract in the futures market?
Front month vs. Back month: How are they different?
How does the front month work?
Benefits of trading front month contracts
Risks of trading front month contracts
Wrapping up: Key points to remember
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The front month in the futures market is the contract with the shortest time to expiration. It is the most liquid month, meaning it is the easiest to trade and has the lowest trading costs. In this blog, we will discuss what a front month is, how it works, and provide some examples for better understanding.
The futures market has an interesting story. It started long ago when ancient traders needed a way to manage the risks of their goods. Imagine agreeing to sell a batch of coffee beans in three months, but setting the price today. That's the basic idea.
By the time the 19th century rolled around, global trade was booming. So, there was a need for official establishments, called futures exchanges, where future trading could happen. As time went on, different types of contracts were created. One of these is the 'front month', and we are going to especially focus on it in this article.
The "front month contract" is the one with the nearest expiration date. It's usually the contract most traders choose because it has the most activity and the smallest difference between the buying and selling prices, known as the bid-ask spread. This makes the front month contract the top pick for traders who want to protect against price shifts or guess future prices. For example, if it's September 2023 and there are contracts ending in October and November, the October contract is the front month contract.
Now that we've discussed the front month, let's take a look at the back month. The term "back month" may suggest that we're talking about a month in the past, but it actually refers to the month with the furthest expiration date.
Here is a side-by-side comparison between the two:
Table 1: Front month vs. back month: A quick review
Parameter | Front month | Back month |
Expiration date | Closer to the present date (e.g., October 2023) | Set further in the future (e.g., January 2024) |
Price movement | Can fluctuate rapidly with market changes | Tends to be steadier over time |
Trading activity | Often sees more trades daily | Less frequent trading typically |
Liquidity | Generally higher due to upcoming expiry | Might be lower because of the distant expiry |
Risk level | Higher due to imminent expiry and volatility | Lower, as there's more time before expiry |
The front month contract is a critical player in the futures market because its expiration date is coming soon, and it sees a lot of trading. Let's take a closer look at how the front month works.
The spot price is the current price you'd pay for commodities like oil. It reflects market conditions and can change due to events like geopolitical shifts or changes in production.
Suppose in October 2023, traders predict November oil prices. If they expect prices to rise, they will buy a front month contract to sell later at a profit. If they foresee a decline, they would sell now, and buy it back later at a favourable price.
Traders sometimes use a rollover strategy near expiration. They close their current position and open a new one in a future contract, moving their trade to a later date.
Traders sometimes use a rollover strategy near expiration. They close their current position and open a new one in a future contract, moving their trade to a later date.
After a contract expires, the following one becomes the new front month. So, if the October contract ends, November becomes the primary focus for traders.
The appeal of front month contracts is not just their immediacy, but also the advantages they offer traders. Here are some of them:
Some of the drawbacks and dangers of trading front month contracts are:
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About Author
Upstox Desk
Upstox Desk
Team of expert writers dedicated to providing insightful and comprehensive coverage on stock markets, economic trends, commodities, business developments, and personal finance. With a passion for delivering valuable information, the team strives to keep readers informed about the latest trends and developments in the financial world.
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