Lecture 18 covers hedging using options and compares the benefits of hedging using options versus hedging using futures. Examples of hedging using options are presented.

Lecture 17 introduces the concept of put-call parity and its implications for options pricing. Arbitrage relationships between options contracts are discussed.

Lecture 16 Options on futures are introduced and options terms such as put, call, strike price, premium, and intrinsic value and time value are defined.  Numerous examples of options trades are presented.

Lecture 15: Carter continues the discussion of hedging, giving examples of currency and financial hedges. The concept of an optimal hedge is discussed.

Lecture 14: Carter introduces hedging with futures as a risk management strategy. He gives examples of long and short hedges in commodity markets are presented. Basis is defined as the difference between futures and cash prices and the implications of basis risk are discussed. Hedging is categorized as arbitrage, operational, or anticipatory.

Lecture 13 introduces two basic techniques for futures price forecasting: fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Carter gives examples of fundamental analysis, such as purchasing-power parity in currency markets are presented.

Lecture 12 begins with a description of Eurodollar futures contracts including calculation of profit or loss on and example contract. Professor Carter further discusses trade imbalance, politics, and international currency markets and valuation. He describes interest rate differentials and parity using the difference in U.S. and Canadian dollar values and interest rates. Interest rates, bonds and the cost of carry market.

Lecture 11 outlines the three types of financial futures and how they are priced. Professor Carter describes the characteristics of different debt instruments, bonds and eurodollars. The role of interest rates in debt instrument markets. He answers why financial futures have become so popular and how to read yield curves.

Lecture 10 presents the Theory of Normal Backwardation (Keynes) and the Theory of Price of Storage (Working) - explain how the prices for different delivery months are related and, in turn, the relationship to the spot price.

Lecture 9 completes the discussion of the price of storage and provides an example of actual basis for Illinois corn. Carter introduces foreign currency markets, how economic indicators impact currencies and interest rates. He talks about which economic variables affect currency prices.

Lecture 8 Describes the operation of the clearinghouse.  Prof. Carter uses the trade of a 100 oz. gold contract to explain the role and function of the clearinghouse in the market as an example.

Trading equity indices an introduction. Professor Carter discusses commodity price relationships, explaining inter-temporal commodity pricing relationships - soybeans and wheat are used as examples. The importance of storage and how storage affects markets, and accounting for the costs of storage.

Lecture 6 gives examples of treasury-bond trading, pricing, profit-loss calculation, basis points, interest-rate expectation, and of currency trading are discussed. These are followed by video showing trading action on the floor of the NY Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade.

Lecture 5 presents the economic functions served by futures and options markets. It then begins a description of the terminology and mechanics involved in futures and options markets and provides a general organization of a typical futures market and the role of regulators and governmental oversight.

This class covers the use of Stock-Trak website. Describes the origins of futures and how the development of futures options reduced the seasonal price swings of agricultural commodities and encouraged the storage of grain. Answers how to read futures contract price quote tables, what is the opening price, settlement price, lifetime high and low prices?

This class describes what options contracts, or options on futures contracts are. It also answers what the difference is between a call option and a put option. What does it mean to go long or go short? Professor Carter describes the top U.S. exchanges, when they were founded and the primary trading instruments on each. Next, he describes similar international futures markets. Old-fashioned pit trading vs. electronic trading methods are described. Carter discusses the importance...

Lecture 2 continues the course introduction - explaining just what is a futures contract and what are the four categories of futures contract. This lecture also provides an introduction to an options contract.

Lecture 1 starts with a broad outline of the course. Carter discusses the history and basic principles of futures markets.