金融期货与现货：定义与区别

中文段落：

在金融市场中，期货和现货是两种常见的交易方式。期货，指的是在未来某一特定日期按照事先约定的价格交割特定数量的某种金融资产的合约。期货交易允许投资者在合约到期前进行买卖，通过赚取差价或进行套期保值来获利。期货市场具有价格发现、风险转移和资源配置等功能，对于稳定金融市场、促进经济发展具有重要意义。

现货交易则是指立即交付的买卖行为，即买卖双方达成交易后，在极短的时间内（通常是交易日当天）完成资金和商品的交换。现货交易涉及的具体资产包括股票、债券、外汇等，投资者通过买卖这些资产来追求收益。现货市场反映了当前的金融市场状况，为投资者提供了丰富的投资选择和灵活的交易策略。

期货与现货的主要区别在于交割时间、交易风险和杠杆比例等方面。期货交易允许投资者利用较少的资金控制较多的资产，从而放大收益和风险；而现货交易则更注重即时性和实际交付。

英文段落：

In financial markets, futures and spot are two common trading methods. Futures refer to contracts that stipulate the delivery of a specific quantity of a financial asset at a predetermined price on a future date. Futures trading allows investors to buy and sell before the contract expires, profiting from price differences or hedging risks. The futures market plays a crucial role in price discovery, risk transfer, and resource allocation, stabilizing financial markets and promoting economic growth.

Spot trading, on the other hand, involves immediate delivery, meaning that after the buyer and seller reach an agreement, the exchange of funds and assets occurs within a short period, usually on the same trading day. Spot trading covers a wide range of assets such as stocks, bonds, and foreign exchange, where investors seek profits by buying and selling these assets. The spot market reflects the current state of financial markets, offering investors diverse investment options and flexible trading strategies.

The main differences between futures and spot lie in settlement time, trading risks, and leverage ratios. Futures trading allows investors to control larger assets with less capital, thus amplifying both profits and risks. In contrast, spot trading focuses more on immediacy and actual delivery.