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If you’re in the futures market, you know that the front month, a.k.a. the “nearby month,” the “spot month,” and also the “nearest month”...is hotcakes time. A front month in futures trading is the month closest to the delivery date, i.e. when the stuff hits the fan.

For instance, the shortest futures contract you could get would be that month, or the front month. Most of the futures-trading-flurry happens in the front month, with investors making deals before the delivery date deadline happens.

Find other enlightening terms in Shmoop Finance Genius Bar(f)