I know the 'spot price' for wheat is what's posted by the farmer at his grain elevator, and a end user (bakery) can buy it right there for immediate delivery. And that the future price for wheat is what I as a speculator can 'lock-in' today by buying or selling a futures contract now.
However, this contract that I purchase to hold a long position in wheat for delivery in say 6 months, How does it originate? Is it the agreement between an actual farmer and a baker that somehow finds it's way onto a futures exchange that I am able to speculate on? In which case? wouldn't all of the contracts for a given month be used up quickly given that there are many more Speculators than actual Farmers/Bakers in the marketplace trying to hedge against adverse price changes? If so how then is it possible to accommodate all the speculators who would wish to guess at what the price will be in the future? Whew! long question...sorry.
However, this contract that I purchase to hold a long position in wheat for delivery in say 6 months, How does it originate? Is it the agreement between an actual farmer and a baker that somehow finds it's way onto a futures exchange that I am able to speculate on? In which case? wouldn't all of the contracts for a given month be used up quickly given that there are many more Speculators than actual Farmers/Bakers in the marketplace trying to hedge against adverse price changes? If so how then is it possible to accommodate all the speculators who would wish to guess at what the price will be in the future? Whew! long question...sorry.