Spot Price is the current market price or market value of a commodity, security or currency. It is the price that traders are paying for immediate delivery of the asset and is in a constant state of flux. Spot prices can also be seen as the last executed price at a given time, as well as the most recent price at which a particular commodity, security or currency has been transacted.

The fluctuation of spot prices is contingent upon a variety of factors, including global economic conditions and the performance of specific markets. Knowing the spot price of an asset at the time of a trade is critical for a trader to determine their entry and exit points. At times, the spot price can be much higher or lower than the underlying futures contract price, depending on current market conditions.

Spot prices are used to determine the rates of futures contracts traded on the same asset or commodity. In most cases, spot prices and futures prices are directly correlated. Since traders are looking to buy and sell the same asset at two different times, the spot price is often used to establish a benchmark for future transactions.

The spot price of an asset can help traders properly gauge the total value of their position, as well as make well-informed decisions when trading. It can also be helpful for arbitrageurs, or those using the price disparity between different asset markets to generate a profit. While speculators trade on the changes of the spot price, the spot market itself is the domain of those hedging their positions in the future market.

Overall, spot prices are the lifeblood of the market and play an integral role for both active and passive traders. Utilizing the spot price gives traders a more precise sense of the asset’s true value which can help them to make informed trading decisions. By keeping a close eye on spot prices, traders can strive to maintain a competitive advantage in the market and make better-informed trades.