Table of Content
What is a Rollover
All derivative contracts come with a predetermined expiration date. Traders who engage in these contracts must adhere to their terms either before or on the expiration date. However, they also possess the flexibility to extend their contracts into the following months, a process referred to as “Rollover of Futures Contracts.”
What Is Rollover In Stock Market
As the term implies, rollover involves transitioning from a near-month contract, which is nearing its expiration, to another contract with a later expiration date. This entails closing one’s position in the current contract and initiating a similar position in a different contract set to expire in a more distant month. The specific timing of this transition, whether it occurs in the middle of the month or further ahead, depends on factors like liquidity and the pricing of rollover contracts.
It’s important to note that rollover stock is applicable exclusively to futures contracts and does not apply to options.
Understanding Rollovers With An Example
Here’s an illustrative example to grasp the concept of rollovers:
Let’s consider a scenario involving Mr. Sharma and Mr. Singh. In the current month, Mr. Sharma has purchased 50 lots of TCS futures, while Mr. Singh has sold 50 lots of TCS futures. Both of them identify an opportunity to potentially gain substantial profits in the upcoming month’s futures trading. So, Mr. Sharma decides to sell his existing 50 lots of TCS futures and acquires TCS futures with an expiry date in the next month, which is termed a “long rollover.”
Conversely, Mr. Singh opts to repurchase the TCS futures for the current month and simultaneously sells equivalent TCS futures with an expiry in the following month, constituting a “short rollover.” When Mr. Sharma initiates a long rollover, he incurs a rollover cost, while Mr. Singh, undertaking a short rollover, receives the rollover cost paid by Mr. Sharma.
Essentially, rollovers involve transitioning from one contract to another while maintaining the same position. Many large institutional investors engage in significant rollovers. Individuals participating in rollover contracts must pay brokerage and associated fees in the current month, and they will encounter these charges once more in the month when the contract undergoes the transition.
In the context of a rollover contract, the rollover spread assumes paramount importance. Individuals or institutions engaging in long rollovers aim for a minimal rollover spread, while those involved in short rollovers seek to maximise their rollover spread earnings.
Also Read: How is Futures Trading Different From Margin Trading?
What is Rollover Data in the Stock Market?
Rollover data in the stock market refers to the process of carrying forward open positions in futures or options contracts from the current month to the next month. Let’s break it down:
Expiration and Rollover:
- Equity derivatives (such as futures and options) have a limited duration. They expire on the last Thursday of each month in India.
- If an investor wants to continue holding a position, they must “roll it over” to the next month.
- This involves closing the position in the current month and re-opening it in the next month.
Why Rollover Matters:
- Rollover data indicates investor sentiment and confidence.
- Lower-than-average rollovers suggest caution, while high rollovers indicate strong sentiment.
- Imbalance in long or short positions reveals market direction.
Interpreting Rollovers:
- Rollover numbers are expressed as a percentage of rolled positions to total positions.
- Analysts compare rollover percentages with their trailing three-month average.
- High rollovers may indicate bullishness, while low rollovers signal caution.
Cost Considerations:
- Traders may roll over at a premium or discount to underlying value.
- High cost of carry during rollover suggests bullish sentiment.
Options vs. Futures:
- Rollovers are possible only in futures (mandatory settlement).
- Some traders check implied volatility (IV) of options for confirmation.
How Does Rollover Work in India?
In India, contract settlements occur on the last Thursday of each month, or if that day is a holiday, the settlement is shifted to Wednesday. The rollover process is concluded by the close of trading hours on the expiration day, with a portion of the rollover commencing one week prior to expiration. This rollover procedure is facilitated through a trading terminal using a spread window.
Should an individual holding a one-month futures contract wish to extend their position into the next month, they have the option to do so by specifying the spread at which they intend to carry forward their position in the upcoming month.
Also Read: Max Pain In Options
Rollover stocks are not feasible with options due to fundamental differences between options and futures contracts. Futures are automatically exercised upon expiry, whereas options contracts offer the flexibility of being executed or left to expire.
Options contracts possess an asymmetric nature, making their pricing intricate. Typically, traders opt to allow options to expire and establish new positions when market conditions provide ample liquidity. This fundamental distinction in contract behaviour is why rollovers do not apply to options.
Risk Associated With Futures Trading
A big risk in futures trading is the power of leverage. When you put down just 25% of the contract’s value, you have a chance to make four times your profit. However, this also means you could face losses four times as big. If you don’t handle leverage properly, it can lead to significant losses for traders.
There are also risks related to price changes and not enough trading activity in the market. These are important things to be cautious about.
In Conclusion
Rollover of futures is a valuable tool for individuals who see a chance to enhance their future position. But, it’s vital for traders engaging in rollovers to have a clear understanding of how the market is likely to perform in the upcoming months. Failing to do so could result in substantial losses.
