Stock index futures is the latest category of financial futures. It is one of the most important and successful financial instruments in financial innovation in 1980s.

The full name of stock index futures is stock price index futures, which can also be called stock index futures and futures index. It refers to the standardized futures contract with the stock index as the subject matter. The two sides agreed that on a specific date in the future, they can buy and sell the underlying index according to the size of the stock index determined in advance.