> I would argue that futures (and options) are still gambling. And you would be wrong because those instruments were designed to hedge (reduce) risk. If you ar

> I would argue that futures (and options) are still gambling. And you would be wrong because those instruments were designed to hedge (reduce) risk. If you are a grain producer and you are worried that the grain price might go down before your next crop you sell a future to lock the price, if you are a flour mill and worry that the price will go up you buy a future. Can all financial instruments be used for speculation? Of course, same as buying a ton of grain not because you need it but because you expect the price to go up.