1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Day Trading

Futures - Tick Size and Tick Value

By Adam Milton, About.com

Definition:

Futures markets trade futures contracts, and the terms tick size, and tick value, are part of the contract specifications for all futures markets.

Tick Size

A futures market's tick size is the minimum amount that the price of the market can change. For example, the EUR futures market has a tick size of 0.0001, which means that the smallest increment that the price can move from 1.2902, would be up to 1.2903, or down to 1.2901. The tick size is also known as the minimum price change.

Tick Value

A futures market's tick value is the cash value of one tick (one minimum price movement). For example, the EUR futures market has a tick value of $12.50, which means that for every 0.0001 that the price moves up or down, the profit or loss of a trade would increase or decrease by $12.50. The tick value is also known as the minimum price value.

Also Known As: Minimum price change, Minimum price value

Explore Day Trading

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Day Trading
  4. Day Trading Glossary
  5. S to U
  6. Futures - Tick Size and Tick Value

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.