Australian Dollar Futures Margin & Contract Specifications

What Is the Australian Dollar?

The Australian Dollar (AUD) is the basic unit of currency in Australia, with one dollar divided into 100 cents. In the global foreign exchange market, the AUD is currently the fifth most traded currency, following the U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen, and British pound, accounting for about 6% of global trading volume.
In 2010, the AUD officially surpassed the Swiss franc to become the world’s fifth most widely traded currency.

AUD Futures (AD / M6A / JA1) – Functions and Features

Investors can trade AUD futures or micro contracts to directly participate in the price movements of the AUD/USD exchange rate, whether bullish or bearish on the Australian dollar.

The AUD often moves in tandem with commodity prices such as iron ore, copper, and coal, and is closely tied to China’s economic growth and stimulus policies. Strong Chinese data or rallies in commodity markets often boost the AUD.

AUD futures trade nearly 24 hours a day, covering the Asian, European, and U.S. sessions. The market offers high liquidity and transparency, making it easy for traders to respond promptly to global news.

Exchanges

• Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)
• Tokyo Financial Exchange (TFX)

Key Factors Affecting AUD Futures (AD / M6A / JA1)

1. Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Policies

The RBA’s main mandate is to maintain currency stability and keep medium-term inflation growth within the 2–3% range.

The Reserve Bank Board sets monetary policy, meeting on the first Tuesday of each month (except January). Policy decisions are usually announced the following day.

The key monetary policy tool is the overnight cash rate, which is the interest rate on overnight loans between financial institutions.

Differences in interest rate policies between the RBA and the U.S. Federal Reserve create yield spreads, influencing capital flows, carry trades, and ultimately the AUD/USD exchange rate and futures prices.

2. China’s Economic Performance

China is Australia’s largest export market, particularly for iron ore and coal.

Chinese economic data and policy measures directly impact AUD movements.

3. Commodity Prices

The AUD is positively correlated with the prices of gold, copper, nickel, coal, and wool.

These commodities account for around two-thirds of Australia’s total exports, making the AUD highly sensitive to raw material price swings.

During periods of commodity-driven inflation, the AUD often strengthens.

Australian Dollar Margin

How much money is needed to trade futures? At the beginning, the required margin is the initial margin. While holding a position, the margin after deducting floating profits and losses must remain above the maintenance margin; otherwise, a margin call will be issued. For day-trading margin, only half of the margin is required, provided the position is closed before the market closes.

Foreign Futures

Australian Dollar Contract Specifications

Here is a summary for traders of the contract specifications, exchange, trading hours, minimum price fluctuation, and available trading months for Australian DollarFutures, E-micro Australian DollarFutures, AUD/JPY DailyFutures.

Australian DollarLast Trading Day

Futures