Buy Oil | Futures

Traders primarily use two benchmarks: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) , traded on the NYMEX , and Brent Crude , traded on the ICE.

There are two primary reasons to buy oil futures: risk management and profit seeking. How to Interpret Wartime Oil Prices - CSIS buy oil futures

Buying oil futures is a sophisticated financial move that allows investors to lock in a price for a specific amount of crude oil to be delivered at a future date. As of April 2026, the oil market is navigating extreme volatility, with Brent crude futures having swung from near $60 per barrel in early 2026 to peaks of approximately $120 following major geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East. As of April 2026, the oil market is

The following essay explores the mechanics, strategic reasons, and significant risks associated with buying oil futures in the current economic landscape. An investor does not pay for 1,000 barrels upfront

One of the most attractive—yet dangerous—features of futures is leverage . An investor does not pay for 1,000 barrels upfront. Instead, they deposit a "margin" (a small fraction of the total value) to gain full price exposure.