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By Mark O’Brien
Heads up:
Keep an eye out for the second of this week’s inflation reports: the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index. The report will be released tomorrow, 7:30 A.M., Central Time.
Energy:
This morning, the Energy Information Agency released its weekly crude oil stocks report and the data was a bullish curveball showing a surprise withdrawal in U.S. crude inventories and a bigger-than-expected drop in U.S. gasoline stocks. April RBOB gasoline futures rose over seven cents as of this typing – a ±$3,000 per contract move – up to ±$2.66 per gallon, close to 6-month highs. Spurring the price increase, Ukrainian drone attacks struck several oil refining facilities in Russia for the second day, damaging its refining capacity
Metals:
In concert with the month-long slump in the U.S. dollar and a lingering expectation the Fed will reduce borrowing costs this June, today gold is chipping away at its ±$20 sell-off Monday and poised to around its prior all-time high close (basis April): $2,188.60/oz. As of this typing, April gold is ±$2,177.00.
Indexes:
All three major stock indexes have sustained trading near their all-time highs this week – after the Personal Consumption & Expenditures Price Index on April 1st (the Fed’s preferred U.S. inflation gauge), February’s non-farm payrolls last Friday and Tuesday’s higher-than-expected CPI reading yesterday. As of this typing, prices are mixed ahead of tomorrow’s release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index.
Softs:
So far, the king of all-time highs this week is not Bitcoin (see below). It’s Cocoa. The May cocoa contract broke above $7,000/ton, nearly $2,000/ton higher over the last month – a ±$20,000 per contract move, including today’s 361-point ($3,6010) move today – with “no top in sight,” stated by The Hightower Report.
Crypto:
March Bitcoin futures are set to close at a new all-time high above 73,000 today. With the Bitcoin ETF now trading, remember that the world’s largest futures and options exchange – the CME Group – offers Bitcoin and Micro Bitcoin futures and options with efficient price discovery in transparent futures markets, prices based on the regulated CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR) and easily traded on your supported trading platform. Make it your choice for managing cryptocurrency risk.
Plan your trade and trade your plan
Watch video below on how to rollover from March to June contracts if you are a stock index trader on our E-Futures Platform!



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* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

NFP Tomorrow.
Non Farm payrolls – market moving report.
I personally like to be out few minutes before the report and look to get back in after the “smoke clears”.
I know some traders who try to play the extremes by placing buy orders on the lower bands and/or sell orders on the upper bands and attach automated brackets to these orders, trying to take advantage of the fast market moves.
Refer back to your journal and keep notes.

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Plan your trade and trade your plan



Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here
* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

Heads up:
Keep an eye out for Friday (7:30 A.M., Central Time) for the release of the monthly Non-farm Payrolls report by the Labor Department. It’s widely considered to be one of the most important and influential measures of the U.S. economy.
To review, the Labor Dept.’s Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys about 141,000 businesses and government agencies, representing approximately 486,000 individual work sites. The report excludes farm workers, private household employees, domestic household workers and non-profit organization employees. The report also includes other detailed industry data including the overall unemployment rate as a percentage of the total labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking work, wages, wage growth and average workday hours.
General:
It was truly an historical day yesterday. Both the decades-old 100-oz gold futures contract and the seven-year-old Bitcoin futures contracts traded up to all-time highs. Apart from any of the stock index futures contracts, rarely do we see simultaneous all-time highs for futures contracts. April gold touched $2,150.50 per ounce (and is trading at new all-time highs again today), while the March Bitcoin futures hit 70,195 – before a significant ±10,000-point sell-off in a span of four hours around mid-session.
But wait, there’s more! May cocoa traded up to its own all-time high yesterday as well, hitting $6,660/metric ton intra-day. This is a ±$26,000 move for cocoa in a little more than two months, having closed at $4,048 on Jan. 8.
Three consecutive all-time highs in futures: gold, Bitcoin and cocoa. Oh my!
Energy:
Managing Director and Global Head of Commodity Strategy at Royal Bank of Canada’s Capital Markets Division. That’s quite a title and it’s how Helima Croft’s business card reads. She’s well regarded as a specialist in geopolitics and energy and along with her team of commodity strategists who cover energy and metals are seeing signs of the higher supply/lower demand imbalance in crude oil tipping in the other direction. This is a macro prediction and not forecasting any sort of breakneck move to $100/barrel and it rests in part on the view that the U.S. will be unable to replicate its “blockbuster” output of 2023. It also anticipates OPEC+ will look to press on with its aggressive production cuts having already committed to extending its 2.2 million barrel-a-day production cut through June. The projection also sees the conflict in the Middle East as instilling a risk premium in energy prices that isn’t going away soon and may increase if the region sees a spread of hostilities.
Plan your trade and trade your plan



Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
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* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

By Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker
Heads up:
Keep an eye out tomorrow (7:30 A.M., Central Time) for the release of the Fed’s preferred U.S. inflation gauge: the PCE Personal Consumption & Expenditures Price Index. The consensus is that the January core PCE deflator will ease to 2.8% year-over-year from the 2.9% reading December.
General:
By and large, the outlook for the global economy is improving. In China, the business storm clouds are at least not bucketing down on the county’s overall fiscal house. Report after economic report released in the U.S. continue to validate forecasts of a future “soft landing,” or better – plain ol’ get up and go. To that end, A.I. euphoria dominates the conversation about what’s driving things. Even the disappointment surrounding the Fed’s patience in deciding when interest rates should be lowered hasn’t disturbed the current frame of mind. Keep an eye out for commodities sitting on major lows, such as corn and soybeans. Even with forecasts for a large South American harvest and a stage set for a strong crop year in the U.S., global growth begets global demand and “bargain price” commodities may be ready to mount rallies.
Crypto:
Bitcoin’s value has been on an impressive rise over the past month, and CME Bitcoin futures (“Full-size”-5-Bitcoin contract, 1/50-Micro Bitcoin contract) have lead the way, with the March Micro Bitcoin contract hitting $65,000 during morning trading today, well above the $57,000 range highs posted in Nov. 2021. Open interest for the full-size contract came in at a nominal value of $7.77 billion, which is nearly a third of the market share for all Bitcoin market derivatives – more than Binance ($6.1 billion); more than Bybit ($4.1 billion). These values surpassed past records set in both 2021 and 2017.
At present, the open interest figures for bitcoin futures have reached an all-time high of $24.44 billion as of Feb. 27, 2024.

Energy:
Did you know the U.S. is currently producing around 13.3M barrels of crude per day, which is way more than any country on the globe, including Saudi Arabia at ±8.9M barrels per day (as of Dec. ’23). The output growth has helped tame gas prices and, perhaps more importantly, undermined the influence of OPEC and Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Producers also know that while times are good, demand can come down or eventually plateau, especially with the U.S. currently exporting more oil than nearly every member of OPEC. Remember the 2014-16 downturn, which hammered the industry and was largely driven by a supply glut.
Plan your trade and trade your plan



Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here
* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.
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By Mark O’Brien
Bitcoin futures open interest on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange hit a fresh all-time high this week. Its nominal value reached $5.4 billion as the Jan. futures contract traded within 200 points of $48,000 on Tuesday. The previous all-time high of $4.5 billion was recorded in November 2021 when the front month contract traded to its all-time high above $68,000.
News in the cryptosphere hit a milestone today with the announcement that Bitcoin ETF’s began trading on U.S. exchanges, but should you?
Before you jump on the Bitcoin ETF bandwagon, remember that the world’s largest futures and options exchange – the CME Group – offers you a choice for managing cryptocurrency risk with Bitcoin and Micro Bitcoin futures and options. With efficient price discovery in transparent futures markets, prices based on the regulated CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR) and easily traded on your supported trading platform.
Take the worry out of your crypto trading!
A Cannon broker will be able to assist, provide feedback and answer any questions.

Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time when it comes to Futures Trading.
01-12-2024


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 here in 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 judgement in trading.
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Ahead of CPI and the Rest of the Week:
By Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker
Crypto:
Bitcoin futures open interest on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange hit a fresh all-time high, its nominal value reaching $5.4 billion as the Jan. contract traded within 200 points of $48,000 yesterday. The previous all-time high of $4.5 billion was recorded in November 2021 when the front month contract traded to its all-time high above $68,000.
Energy:
Concerns of slowing demand growth in the energy sector received additional fodder this morning when the Energy Information Agency (EIA) reported a surprise jump in U.S. crude stockpiles and a larger-than-expected jump in storage of both gasoline and distillates. Crude oil (basis Feb.) remains mired in the low $70 per barrel range with a few forays below $70 per barrel over the last month. Despite fears the Israel-Hamas war – now into its third month – could be a catalyst to supply disruption in the Middle East, crude oil is more that $10 per barrel (a $10,000 per contract move) lower since the beginning of the conflict, suggesting traders are more focused on global economic growth (slowing) than geopolitical risk, which seems to be increasing as events related to the war have spread, including attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, U.S. strikes on Iranian-backed organizations in Syria and Yemen, Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Hezbollah, Yemeni-based Houthi attacks on vessels moving through the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden – a route that sees 10-12% of the world’s seagoing freight travel through it.
General:
Tomorrow we’ll be apprised yet again of the inflation situation here in the U.S. with the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index Report, which measures the prices paid by consumers for a basket of consumer goods and services (7:30 A.M., Central Time). The reading plays an important role in shaping the Federal Reserve’s outlook on much-anticipated interest rate cuts this year.

Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time when it comes to Futures Trading.
01-11-2024


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 here in 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 judgement in trading.
Join our private Facebook group for additional insight into trading and the futures markets!

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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.
By Senior Broker, Mark O’Brien
General:
It will likely be challenging to predict the next stage of the Israel/Hamas war in terms of how broadly it draws in other participants. For now, diplomatic efforts – negotiating for the release of hostages, calls for a cease fire, bringing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza – have toned down the severity of the fighting. Concurrently, Israel is softening up the opposition by bombing of targets thought to be Hamas military strongholds and the markets are anticipating the launch of a ground war.
Even with the conflict entering its 20th day and seeing how commodities have already reacted in that time, the start of ground fighting and/or a broadening of participants would likely see sharper moves in particular futures contracts, i.e., gains in energies, flight-to-quality upward movement in gold and the Swiss franc and even food-related commodities like wheat. Conversely, equity index futures – U.S. and more broadly – will be vulnerable to draw-downs. Note that the E-mini Nasdaq already fell into correction territory on Wednesday following the latest tech earnings.
Financials:
One instrument at a potential cross-roads – it’s current 6-month / ±$11K per contract decline a dominant catalyst for dragging shares around the world to multi-month lows – is the 10-year T-note futures contract. Its correspondent benchmark yield is hovering at a 15-yr high of 5%. Already vulnerable to information on the pace of the U.S. economy, the conflict uncertainty poses a new agitator to the market.
Crypto:
After trading down to 3-year lows below 15,000 last October, on Tuesday, Bitcoin futures traded through 35,000, a 17-month high, a ±$10,000 move for a Micro Bitcoin futures contract (contract size: 1/50 Bitcoin), a ±$100,000 for the “adult” / Bitcoin futures contract (contract size: 5 Bitcoin).
Softs:
With new all-time highs being set all year – almost weekly – orange juice futures (basis Nov.) are poised to break through $4.00/lb. (contract size: 15,000 lbs, 1 cent = $150), more than double its ±$1.85 levels in January, a ±$32,000 per contract move. Florida orange growers harvested their smallest crop in nearly 90 years, the result of an ill-timed freeze, two hurricanes and the citrus psyllid, a tiny invasive winged insect that has spread citrus greening disease and is laying waste to Florida’s groves.

Plan your trade and trade your plan.
Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time when it comes to Futures Trading.

10-27-2023


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 here in 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 judgement in trading.
Last trading day of April tomorrow!
See reports section below:
PCE
Univ. of Michigan
and Chicago PMI tomorrow can inject additional volatility into the market.
Both ES and NQ are trading against intermediate resistance level.
The Coinbase Derivatives Exchange (CDE) Nano Bitcoin and Nano Ether Futures Contracts are now available on E-Futures Int’l trading platform. Cannon Trading, through our clearing partner, StoneX Offers Clients Access to Coinbase Derivatives Exchange Contracts Cleared by Nodal Clear | Business Wire
E-Futures Contract Symbols
Nano Bitcoin = BIT
Nano Ether = ET
Contract Specs
Coinbase_Derivatives_Nano_Bitcoin_Spec_V2.pdf (ctfassets.net)
Coinbase_Derivatives_Nano_Ether_Spec_V2.pdf (ctfassets.net)
Plan your trade and trade your plan.
Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time when it comes to Futures Trading.
for 04-28-2023



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 here in 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 judgement in trading.