Single-Stock Futures Explained
Written by Greg, founder of FTMarketWatch — a former licensed commodities trader.
Last reviewed: September 2, 2026
A single-stock future is a futures contract whose underlying asset is the stock of one company. It provides price exposure to that stock without owning the shares directly.
How it differs from buying stock
A shareholder owns an equity interest in the company. A futures trader owns a contract tied to the future price of the shares. Futures also use margin, expire, and are settled under exchange rules.
Availability is market-specific
Single-stock futures have existed in a number of markets, but availability changes over time and differs by country and exchange. A page or textbook that treats them as universally available can therefore be misleading. Check the current listings of the exchange and your broker.
Main risks
- Leverage can magnify losses.
- The contract expires rather than being held indefinitely.
- Liquidity can vary greatly by product.
- Corporate actions and contract adjustments can affect the position.
Sources and further reading
Primary sources are listed so you can check the rules and terminology directly.
- CFTC Futures Market Basics — basic futures characteristics and risk
- CFTC Futures Glossary — official futures terminology