Professional Futures & Options Guide for Investors 2026

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to futures and options, two of the most widely used instruments in financial derivatives markets. It begins with a clear explanation of what futures and options are, how futures and options work, and how these instruments differ from other financial products.

You will build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of futures and options markets, understanding the common characteristics of derivatives and their role in the futures and options markets in the stock market. The course then progresses into a structured, in-depth exploration of:

• Futures contracts

• Options contracts

In each section, you will learn:

• The key features and characteristics of futures and options in trading

• How pricing works, with detailed examples and practical explanations

• The most common applications of futures trading and options trading in business and financial markets.

• How financial risk management and risk management strategies are implemented through hedging and speculation

This futures and options course includes 27 lectures across 6 structured sections:

• Introduction to derivatives

• Introduction to futures contracts

• Futures contracts trading and cash flows

• Futures pricing

• Introduction to options

• Option pricing and applications

Whether you are looking to understand what futures and options trading is, explore investing in futures and options, or learn how to apply these instruments in real-world scenarios, this course provides a strong, practical foundation. It is designed for professionals working across finance functions in organisations of all sizes, as well as those employed in financial institutions such as retail banks, commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, asset management firms, insurance companies, and related sectors.

More about this course and Starweaver

This course is led by a seasoned capital markets industry practitioner and executive with many years of hands-on, in-the-trenches financial markets sales, trading and analysis work. It has been designed, produced and delivered by Starweaver. Starweaver is one of the most highly regarded, well-established training providers in the World, providing training courses to many of the leading financial institutions and technology companies, including:

Ahli United Bank; Mashreqbank; American Express; ANZ Bank; ATT; Banco Votorantim; Bank of America; Bank of America Global Markets; Bank of America Private Bank; Barclay Bank; BMO Financial Group; BMO Financial Services; BNP Paribas; Boeing; Cigna; Citibank; Cognizant; Commerzbank; Credit Lyonnais/Calyon; Electrosonic; Farm Credit Administration; Fifth Third Bank; GENPACT; GEP Software; GLG Group; Hartford; HCL; HCL; Helaba; HSBC; HSBC Corporate Bank; HSBC India; HSBC Private Bank; Legal & General; National Australia Bank; Nomura Securities; PNC Financial Services Group; Quintiles; RAK Bank; Regions Bank; Royal Bank of Canada; Royal Bank of Scotland; Santander Corporate Bank; Tata Consultancy Services; Union Bank; ValueMomentum; Wells Fargo; Wells Fargo India Solutions; Westpac Corporate Bank; Wipro; and, many others.

Happy learning.