futures

British  

/ ˈfjuːtʃəz /

plural noun

1. 1. commodities or other financial products bought or sold at an agreed price for delivery at a specified future date See also financial futures

   2. ( as modifier )

      futures contract

      futures market

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futures Cultural  

1. A contract to buy or sell a specified amount of a commodity or financial instrument at an agreed price at a set date in the future. If the price for the commodity or financial instrument rises between the contract date and the future date, the investor will make money; if it declines, the investor will lose money. The term also refers to the market for such contracts.

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Example Sentences

—In early European trading, Brent crude was up 0.4% to $91.84 a barrel, while WTI futures rose 0.2% to $88.38 a barrel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

U.S. equity futures slid in early European trade after a volatile session Tuesday, as investors await inflation data that will set the stage for a highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy decision next week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

S&P 500 and Dow futures slipped 0.3%, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.4%, while WTI crude rose 0.9% to just under $89 a barrel.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

They have built their futures around creating an oasis of stability and multi-billion-dollar business in the Gulf.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Dorothy’s friends and former Moton colleagues watched helplessly as their children’s futures were sacrificed in the battle over the future of Virginia’s public schools.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly