A stock market index, such as the S&P 500 or Nasdaq 100, is simply a measurement of the price performance of a group of stocks. An index future, on the other hand, is a tradable financial product based on that index. While the index is a passive indicator, the futures contract is an active investment tool that allows traders to take long or short positions on the direction of the market. Index futures also trade nearly 24 hours a day and are leveraged, while the index itself is not.

Index futures serve two main purposes: hedging and speculation. Institutional investors use them to hedge against potential losses in a stock portfolio, especially during periods of high volatility. Traders use them to speculate on the direction of the market or specific sectors. For example, a trader expecting a market rally might go long on Nasdaq futures, while one anticipating a correction might go short on S&P 500 futures. They are also used for arbitrage strategies, especially between futures and ETFs.

Each index futures contract comes with a specific expiration date, usually quarterly in March, June, September, and December. As this date approaches, traders must decide whether to close the position or roll it into the next contract. Expiration dates are critical because they affect pricing, liquidity, and trading behavior. Institutional traders often adjust or unwind large positions as expiry nears, which can create volatility. For that reason, many traders prefer to exit or roll positions well before the expiration day to avoid sudden price swings.

If you hold an index futures position until the contract expires, it will be automatically cash-settled at the final settlement price of the underlying index. This means your account will be credited or debited based on the difference between your entry price and the settlement price. Most traders avoid holding to expiration by closing or rolling their contracts beforehand, but if held, there's no physical delivery, just a final accounting of gain or loss.

Yes, one of the major advantages of index futures is nearly 24-hour access. For example, S&P 500 futures on the CME begin trading Sunday evening (U.S. time) and continue until Friday evening, with short maintenance breaks. This allows traders to respond to global news, earnings reports, or macroeconomic data outside of standard stock market hours. However, during overnight sessions, liquidity can be lower, which may affect spreads and execution speed.