Options vs Futures/Forwards

Hey guys,

I know all about options and futures/forwards, but I am still a little confused on why a company/person woould choose one over the other.

For example, if it is an oil-porducing company that wants to hedge against a drop in the price of oil, why would it be better to purchase a future/forward contract rather than to buy a put option?

Any insight into the uses on these different contracts (and pros/cons) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

4 Comments
 

options guarantee a minimum price. The oil producing company knows it'll be selling a million barrels a year from today -

getting into a futures/forward contract would fix the rpice those 1MM barrels are sold for - buying puts would guarantee a minimum price they would be sold for - but they could still be sold for more!

Of course, a future/forward would cost less than a put with the same strike.

 
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