Day 3 futures and options

The basis reflects the relationship between cash price and futures price. (In futures trading, the term “cash” refers to the underlying product). The basis is obtained by subtracting the futures price from the cash price.

The basis can be a positive or negative number. A positive basis is said to be “over” as the cash price is higher than the futures price. A negative basis is said to be “under” as the cash price is lower than the futures price.