Delivery month

The delivery month is the period in which a futures contract requires physical delivery or final settlement. Manipulation risk concentrates here, because positions must be closed or delivered against a fixed supply.

manipulation techniques · updated 2026-11-06

Where does delivery month come up?

This term is used in the following manipulation techniques, each explained in full on its own page.

• Delivery squeeze — A delivery squeeze is controlling the certified stocks, warrants or logistics needed to satisfy a futures contract, so that short sellers cannot deliver even where the commodity exists elsewhere.

See also

• Deliverable supply — Deliverable supply is the quantity of a commodity that meets a futures contract's grade, location and timing requirements and can …
• Settlement price — The settlement price is the official end-of-session price used to mark positions, calculate margin and settle expiring contracts. …

Terms that refer here

Contango and backwardation · Deliverable supply · Futures contract

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