What Is the Key Difference between a Futures Contract and a Forward Contract?

Both are agreements to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a future date. The key difference is that futures contracts are standardized, traded on centralized exchanges, and subject to daily mark-to-market and margin requirements.

Forward contracts, however, are customized, traded over-the-counter (OTC) between two parties, and carry higher counterparty risk due to the lack of a clearing house guarantee.

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What Is a Forward Contract and How Does It Differ from a Futures Contract?
What Is the Primary Difference between a Forward Contract and a Futures Contract?
How Do Futures Contracts Differ from Forward Contracts in Financial Derivatives?
Define a Forward Contract and How It Differs from a Futures Contract
Differentiate between a Forward Contract and a Futures Contract
How Does a Futures Contract Differ from a Forward Contract in Financial Markets?
How Does the Institutional Use of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Options Differ from Exchange-Traded Options?