Field guides / Choosing and finishing work
How much of this trade can I afford?
At the seller, write down the price and the largest quantity you can actually select. At the other end, distinguish an earlier price report from a sale your crew can complete now.
What to check
Protect the return trip
Put a reserve aside first. Divide the remaining cash by the seller’s price per sale unit and round down to the whole units the terminal accepts. Keep the unit and currency beside both numbers.
Find the smallest limit
Compare affordable units, available stock, usable cargo space and the amount you are prepared to risk at the buyer. UEX’s route finder is a place to find a lead. An advertised spread or demand report is not a reservation.
Compare cash out and cash back
Multiply only your chosen units by each price. Subtract fees and trip costs you know; leave an unknown cost marked unknown. If the cargo is already aboard, compare sale receipts and onward costs. Do not buy the same cargo a second time in the calculation.
Worked example
A good spread on six units
Practice figures, not a market quote: 30,000 aUEC less a 12,000 reserve leaves 18,000. At 1,200 per unit that funds 15; your hold has room for 24 and the seller offers 10. You are willing to risk six at a buyer quoting 1,450. Six cost 7,200 and could return 8,700: a 1,500 spread before costs, if accepted. With no credible buyer, those six are still a risk.
Proceed or hold
- Proceed when
- You can identify the commodity, both terminals and units, afford the purchase and accept the downside if the report fails.
- Hold when
- The buyer is a different terminal, the price is for another unit, or losing the cargo would consume the reserve.
My field card
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