Index futures vs options
A futures contract is a forward contract to buy an asset such as a stock or commodity in the future at a fixed price. An options contract allows an investor to sell or buy an asset such as stock, ETF or stock index at a predetermined price over a certain period of time. Futures trading carries some inherent tax advantages over both options and stock trading due to section 1256 of the IRS code. This essentially means that every futures trade, regardless of trade duration, is taxed at 60% long-term capital gains rate and 40% short-term capital gains rate. Trading options can be a more conservative approach, especially if you use option spread strategies. Bull call spreads and bear put spreads can increase the odds of success if you buy for a longer-term trade, and the first leg of the spread is already in the money. Futures options are a wasting asset.