BASIS TRADING

basis trading: translation

Basis trading is the simultaneous entry into both a cash position for a particular product and an equal and opposite futures position on the same underlying. A basis trader looks to profit from a change in the relationship between the cash price and the future, i.e. from a change in the basis. Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein financial glossary

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( cash and carry trade)

An arbitrage position typically comprising a long cash position together with a short position in its respective futures contract, whereby the cash price plus the cost of carry of the underlying position is lower than the futures price. Arbitrageurs will therefore buy cash and 'carry' to the futures date for delivery into the futures contract. It is assumed that the cash position is financed in the overnight repo market. By convention, buying the basis is to buy cash bonds and sell futures, and selling the basis is to sell cash bonds and buy futures. LIFFE

   ► See Cash and Carry Trade.