June 1st, 2018 - Issue #922

In This Issue

1. Options Trading 201: Why Stock Option Sellers Are Stepping Up to Selling Commodity Options
2. Hot Market Report: Mini Nasdaq
3. Economic Calendar

1. Trading 201: Why Stock Option Sellers Are Stepping Up to Selling Commodity Options

From our friend Don A. Singletary at TimeFarming.com

HIGHER LEVERAGE

The main reason equity option sellers are stepping up to selling commodity options is leverage. While many stock options can require 15 to 20 times the premium collected, the unique SPAN minimum margin system used in futures can be a much smaller multiple. For example, it is not uncommon for an option to be sold for $400 and require only $600 of margin, a ratio of 1.5 to one. Of course, a trader must consider a corresponding risk, which brings me to reason the next reason. LARGE PREMIUMS FOR DEEP OTM STRIKES The farther out-of-the-money the less risk. To get a good premium on equity options, the strikes have to be very close to the money. Commodity option cans be available with what I call Ultra Low Deltas as the strikes are often 40% to 60% out-of-the-money from the underlying futures contract price.

SEASONAL PRICE PATTERN CAN INFORM TRADES

Many commodities display repetitive seasonal price patterns - designed by Mother Nature; they have annual planting and harvest dates. This is the seasonal price pattern over the most recent 15-years for the December contract of corn futures. Prices peak in June with planted crops and then decline into late summer and fall as the harvest progresses. This is the clockwork of nature.

DIVERSIFY FROM THE VOLATILE STOCK MARKET

All markets including commodities carry risks. The majority of the factors that influence commodity prices are not related to a stock market index; this is why some consider commodities a degree of diversity from stock market volatility. Every trading day, commodities trade over 40 times the value of stock market trading. Trying to guess the short-term movement of stocks can be extremely difficult and frustrating in today’s very volatile markets.

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2. Hot Market Report: Mini NASDAQ coming back up....

Click on image below to enlarge

Mini NASDAQ has retraced over 68% of its major sell off during February this year. It looks to me as if this market is trying to test the highs prior to the Feb. 2018 correction.
Daily chart of mini NASDAQ for your review from this morning ( June 1st 2018). We got a possible long TREND signal in the shape of the blue arrow late April. That signal appears when the ALGO "thinks" the market has a chance to develop a trend. So far, the market direction has materialized. What I like about the mini NASDAQ these last few months is the day trading range. Personally for me, the NQ has been a better fit for day trading recently, so if you are a day trader who trades the mini SP mostly, I recommend you take a look at the NQ as well. To access a free trial to the ALGOS shown in the chart visit and sign up for a free trial for 21 days with real-time data.
Mini NASDAQ 100 Futures Specs
Hours: 5:00 PM to 4:00 PM next day PM Central Time
Margins: $6300 initial, $5800 Maint. ( as of the date of this newsletter)
Point Value: full point = $2000 ( Example: 7067.00 to 7167.00 ). Min fluctuation is 0.1 = $5 ( Example: 7067.00 to 7067.25) Settlement: Cash on the open of the third Friday of each month
Months: Quarterly cycle, June, Sep, Dec, March. M,U,Z,H
Weekly Options:YES
Mini NASDAQ 100 is one of my favorite markets for Day Trading because of the intraday range and movements. Be careful, these factors can work against you or in your favor.
Some of the basic fundamentals to keep in mind when you are considering trading the NQ or other indices for this matter:
1. Longer term view of current market prices
2. Dates and times of important reports. CPI, Housing, employment, FOMC are just some of the reports you need to watch for
3. Earning reports
4. U.S. Fiscal and Monetary Stability

Our brokers here at Cannon will be happy to chat about the MINI NASDAQ market, other indices, other futures, options, futures spreads and much more! Feel free to contact us at any time.

3. Economic Calendar

Source: Moore Research Center, Inc.

* Please note that the information contained in this letter is intended for clients, prospective clients, and audiences who have a basic understanding, familiarity, and interest in the futures markets.

** The material contained in this letter is of opinion only and does not guarantee any profits. These are risky markets and only risk capital should be used. Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.

*** This is not a solicitation of any order to buy or sell, but a current market view provided by Cannon Trading Inc. Any statement of facts herein contained are derived from sources believed to be reliable, but are not guaranteed as to accuracy, nor they purport to be complete. No responsibility is assumed with respect to any such statement or with respect to any expression of opinion herein contained. Readers are urged to exercise their own judgment in trading!