If you want to begin a career in the world of stock markets, the first thing that you should do is to make sure that you know the basics about Futures trading. This is a type of investment where some people claim that they are able to get huge profits from. Futures trading involves you to speculate on the cost of some particular commodities, whether they will increase or reduce their prices in the coming days, weeks or months.

The commodities that we are talking about here will be traded from one currency to another. Therefore, traders should bear in mind that the right approach here is to buy them when the prices are low and sell only when they are priced high. Futures trading is actually not about trading in the market. What is involved here is what they call the futures contract. This is just like any of those binding contracts that include an expiration date but you have the right to cancel this anytime you think that they are not useful for your money earning system. In reality, the most liquid contracts in Futures trading are those that last for only a few days or even hours.

In Futures trading, you do not have to stick to one contract alone. You can go for as many as you like since they are all pretty much the same with regards to the quality and the amount. They are standardized contracts but quite obviously, they have different expiration dates in which you have to keep an eye on.

Now that you understand just what Futures trading is all about, it is now time for you to convene with the traders, who can either be a hedger or a speculator. The former sells futures contracts so that he can avoid the risks of the prices going high while the latter sells contracts when they think that the prices will drop.

With Futures trading you will rely on your intuition so that you can make correct forecasts and predictions. However, there are some tools that are available today, which you can take advantage of so that you can get assistance when you need it.

B&Q (owned by Kingfisher) shares jumped up 7% after results that sales have increased due to increased demand for home improvments and outdoor goods, which put a smile on investors.

Sales from the first quarter showed uk sales rose to £58m compared to £29m the year before.  The overall profits including firm Screwfix are up 89% to £61m in the quarter.

Sales of their outdoor items have soared 30% as more people are spending money on their houses as they save money and staying in and enjoying home comforts.  Also bathroom and bedroom sales were up aswell.

Shares were trading 14.5p ahead on 198.3p.

Brokers Views:

Buy: 5

Hold: 1

Sell: 0

A few days after British Airways annouced they have made a loss Virgin Atlantic have annouced they have doubled their annual profits.

Profits have soared from £34.8m to £68.4m despite the economy being in a recession and oil prices.

Virgin Atlantic part owned by Sir Richard Branson flew 5.8 million passengers over the period, helped by their premium service as a number of premium travlers enjoyed their service.  Where as British Airways reported a reduction in 13% of their premium service showing that Virgin Atlantic are the top performers in this sector.

With the high prices of fuel Virgin Atlantic reported they spent £1bn on fuel last year,  which at one point last year the price was $147 a barrel.  They profited from the rate of currency exchanges

Currently Virgin Atlantic employes 8,500 and has 38 Airplanes.  The staff will receive a 10% bonus from the companies profits.

Branson said: “To increase profits against a backdrop of such a severe recession is an excellent achievement by all of our staff.”