CONTRACT ROLL-OVER

There is usually a difference in price between the two contracts of a roll, referred to as the forward premium or discount (or spread) and this difference needs to be taken into account when calculating the unrealized profit or loss on a position or the setting of a protective stop order after the roll. (See video at right.)

Both sides of the contract roll-over should be executed at the same time, otherwise it is referred to as "legging" into a position, and a spread order is typically used for this. In most cases, a spread order is entered as a market order but it can be specified as a limit order if the trader wants to have greater control over the spread price.

For deliverable futures contracts, which are most of them, a position should be rolled prior to the first notice day. The first notice day begins the delivery period and it is generally harder to roll a position once it is in the delivery period. All positions, whether the contract is deliverable or cash settled, must be rolled prior to the last trading day. You should contact your broker to obtain a current schedule of these dates, referred to as an expiration calendar.

All open orders that are based on the expiring contract, for example, a protective stop order on the expiring contract, need to be canceled and replaced with new orders corresponding to the new contract after the roll. Keeping accurate records is a good way to not forget any such outstanding orders.