> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.dataloy.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.dataloy.com/release-8.28/voyage-management-system/step-by-step-guides/chartering/market-indices/market-index-value-types.md).

# Market Index Value Types

Market Index Values are categorized into three different types, with different characteristics and behaviour. These are not maintained by the system, the system will only give a market index value a default value based on the valid from date.

<table><thead><tr><th>Type</th><th>Default value when</th><th>Explanation</th><th data-type="checkbox">Used in calculations</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Spot</td><td>Valid From Date and Valid To Date are equal</td><td>Any value that is marking the what the actual value was for the given date.</td><td>true</td></tr><tr><td>Forward</td><td>Valid From Date and Valid To Date are not equal</td><td>A value that is predicting the future values for a given period.</td><td>true</td></tr><tr><td>Historical Forward</td><td>Not given by the system automatically</td><td>An archived forward value.</td><td>false</td></tr></tbody></table>


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