How Does a Clearing House Guarantee Futures Contract Performance?

A clearing house acts as the counterparty to every trade, becoming the buyer to every seller and the seller to every buyer. This process, called novation, guarantees the contract's performance even if one party defaults.

It manages risk through margin requirements, marking-to-market, and a guarantee fund, ensuring that the integrity of the financial system is maintained.

How Does a Central Counterparty (CCP) Mitigate Counterparty Risk?
How Does the Introduction of a Central Counterparty (CCP) Change the Counterparty Risk Profile?
What Is the Role of a Central Counterparty Clearing House (CCP) in Mitigating Counterparty Risk?
What Is the Role of the ‘Clearing House’ in Guaranteeing Derivatives Settlement?
How Does the Concept of “Novation” Apply to the Clearing House?
How Does a Clearing House Fit into the Margin Process for Derivatives?
What Is the Main Function of a Centralized Clearing House in the Derivatives Market?
How Does a Clearing House Manage Counterparty Risk in Traditional Futures?

Glossar