Futures Close Out

Futures Close-Out Policy

Physically delivered products (which include products eligible and ineligible to trade at negative prices) are subject to a close-out period¹. Also subject to a close-out period are oil-related futures contracts which are eligible to trade at negative prices, which includes those with settlement in terms of either physical delivery or cash settlement at expiration.

As the risk of a product's value may decline into negative prices, and to avoid deliveries of expiring futures contracts, including those resulting from futures options expiry, clients must roll forward or close out positions prior to the start of the Close-Out deadline specific to that contract. Any physically delivered contract, including cash settled oil futures contracts which are not closed out within the specified time frame, may be liquidated by IBKR without prior notification. Additionally, beginning five business days prior to expiration, only margin-reducing transactions in expiring month contracts will be accepted for oil-based products eligible to trade at negative prices. In addition, we now allow physical delivery for ILS, ZAR, SEK, PLN, NOK FX futures.

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Futures Physical Delivery Example

Example:

Trader A is holding a long position in December 2012 Corn Futures (ZC).
Trader B is holding a short position in the same contract.

Trader A would have to close the long position by the end of the regular trading session on 2012/11/28 (one business day prior to the long futures cutoff date of 2012/11/29). Open long positions would be subject to liquidation beginning 2012/11/29 09:30 CST.

Trader B would have to close the short position by the end of the regular trading session on 20121213 (one business day prior to the short futures cutoff date of 2012/12/14). Open short positions would be subject to liquidation beginning 2012/12/14 at 09:30 CST.