What is the major difference in the obligation of one with a long position in a futures (or forward) contract in comparison to an options contract?
Answer: A futures or forward contract is a vehicle for selling or buying a stated amount of foreign exchange at a stated price per unit at a fixed time in the future. Determine that if the long holds the contract to the delivery date, he pays the effectual contractual futures (or forward) price, consider whether it is an advantageous price in comparison to the spot price at the delivery date. By difference, an option is a contract providing the long the right to buy or sell a fixed quantity of an asset at a specified price at some time in the future, although not enforcing any obligation on him if the spot price is much more favorable as compared to the exercise price. Since the option owner does not have to exercise the option if it is to his disadvantage, the option has a price, or premium, while no price is paid at inception to enter into a futures (or forward) contract.