Haircut - (1) In determining whether assets meet capital requirements, a percentage reduction in the stated value of assets. (2) In computing the worth of assets deposited as collateral or margin, a reduction from market value.

Hardening - (I) Describes a price which is gradually stabilizing; (2) a term indicating a slowly advancing market.

Heavy - A market in which prices are demonstrating either an inability to advance or a slight tendency to decline.

Hedge Ratio - Ratio of the value of futures a contract purchased or sold to the value of the cash commodity being hedged, a computation necessary to minimize basis risk.

Hedging - Taking a position in a futures market opposite to a position held in the cash market to minimize the risk of financial loss from an adverse price change; a purchase or sale of futures as a temporary substitute for a cash transaction that will occur later.

Hog-Corn Ratio - See Feed Ratio.

Hybrid Instruments - Financial instruments that possess, in varying combinations, characteristics of forward contracts, futures contracts, option contracts, debt instruments, bank depository interests, and other interests. Certain hybrid instruments are exempt from CFTC regulation. See Commission Rule 34.1(b).