Jobless Claims, PMI, Cattle, Crude Oil, Levels, Reports; Your 6 Expert, Crucial Need-To-Knows For Trading Futures on August 21st, 2025

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Jobless Claims, PMI, Cattle, Crude Oil

Bullet Points, Highlights, Announcements

By Mark O’ Brien, Senior Broker

jobless

General:

Keep an eye out for a raft of economic reports tomorrow morning, all of which could create bumpy price movement in stock index, energy, interest-rate and other asset classes.

At 7:30 A.M., Central Time the Labor Department will release its weekly Initial jobless claims data, which looks at claims for unemployment benefits filed by unemployed individuals with state unemployment agencies.

At the same time, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia will release its monthly Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey tracks business conditions and provides short-term forecasts in a specific region: the manufacturing sector in eastern and central Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware, it also provides insight into the manufacturing sector throughout the country.

Next, at 9:45 will be The S&P Purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which is comprised of data derived from monthly surveys of private sector company S&P Global. The S&P PMI survey covers manufacturing, services and some construction.

Then at 10:00, the National Association of Realtors will report on Existing Home Sales in the United States which measures the change in the number of existing residential buildings that were sold during the previous month. This report helps to gauge the strength of the U.S. housing market and is a key indicator of overall economic strength.

At the same time, The Conference Board will release its Leading Economic Index (LEI), another indicator designed to forecast future economic activity. The LEI can be used to anticipate economic turning points and guide trading strategies.

Livestock

Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures continued their meteoric rise today as a tight supply of cattle, surging wholesale beef prices and a decrease in slaughter rates supported prices. CME October live cattle futures ended 3.750 cent higher at 235.175 cents per pound. September feeder cattle rose 6.375 cents to 358.800 cents per pound. Both closing prices represent all-time record high closing prices for the two futures contracts.

Energy

Crude oil futures traded higher after the Energy Information Agency reported a larger-than-expected 6 million barrel decline in U.S. crude oil inventories for last week. The new front month October futures contract traded to an intraday high of $63.01/barrel, up $1.24/barrel before falling back slightly to within pennies of its 100-day moving average: $62.63.

Despite near-term support from lower inventories, the longer-term outlook is bearish.  A supply glut is expected as OPEC+ restores output and trade tensions are weighing on demand with industry executives exclaiming the return of previously curtailed oil production by OPEC+ members is cutting into U.S. shale growth.

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Chart Watch: Oct Crude 25

“Crude Oil Is At A Critical Technical Price Juncture! The Index is short from 9 days ago and There Are No bearish PriceCounts In Place. The market looks to be coiling!”

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Daily Levels for Aug. 21st, 2025

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Economic Reports

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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.

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FOMC, Gold, Cocoa, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on August 20th, 2025

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FOMC Minutes Tomorrow & Gold Bear Put Spread Insight

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

fomc

Markets have been calm so far this week (FOMC Minutes tomorrow)

What goes up must come down?

Does Newtons law of Gravity capsulized by the quote” what goes up, must come down” apply metaphorically to prices on assets? this quote reminds us of the inherent predictability and order found in nature by earths gravitational pull.

The question becomes, what pulls asset prices down? and how does the investor protect or benefit from forces pulling prices down?

Since the forces pushing prices of assets lower are much harder to determine than a simple law like gravitational pull without doubt make what goes up must come down a truest statement, that doesn’t mean we can’t protect our investments or even benefit from selloffs of commodities, equities and other assets we hold.

Gold will be a good example to explain 2 common risk management strategies since this asset has been range bound for some time now, having become comfortable in a relatively narrow price range since Memorial Day after a runup to start the year.

One report indicates that gold opened at $2,633 per ounce on January 2, 2025, and as of August 15, 2025, it was trading around $3,383 per ounce, marking a 24.9% increase,

Protecting your long gold futures contracts, GLD ETF or your personal gold stash you can use futures options as an insurance policy to cover your downside risk.

You believe the price of gold is ready to fall on a breakout to the downside. You can buy Comex Gold Puts. How Gold Puts Work:

Buying a Put

  • You buy a gold put option when you expect gold prices to fall.
  • The put gains value as gold declines.
  • If gold drops below the strike price, you can:
  1. Sell the put at a profit, or
  2. Exercise it to take a short position in gold futures at the strike price.

Gold option premiums consist of intrinsic value and time value:

Premium=Intrinsic Value+Time Value\text{Premium} = \text{Intrinsic Value} + \text{Time Value}Premium=Intrinsic Value+Time Value

  • Intrinsic Value = Max(Strike − Futures Price, 0)
  • Time Value = Based on volatility, time to expiration, and interest rates

For example:

If gold = $3380.00 and your put strike = $3400.00:

  • Intrinsic = $20
  • If option trades at $28 → Time Value = $8

A bear put spread is an options strategy used when you expect the price of gold to decline moderately.

You buy a put option (higher strike) and sell a put option (lower strike) with the same expiration date.

  • The long put gives you downside profit potential.
  • The short put helps reduce the cost of the trade.
  • This caps both your risk and your max profit.

Click here for the Gold Bear Put Spread Cheat Sheet.

Please click here to access the: Comex Gold Bear Put Spread Cheat Sheet. We will be happy to walk you through and answer any questions, just give us a call.

Tomorrow:

Econ Data: EIA Crude Stocks, 17-week T-Bill auction, FOMC Minutes. Jackson Hole symposium begins

FED: 2 speakers

Earnings: TJX Companies, Lowes, Analog Devices Inc. Target

Tariff news:  Anything goes!

Click here for the Gold Bear Put Spread Cheat Sheet.

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Dec. Cocoa

December cocoa completed its first upside PriceCount objective and is correcting lower. IF the chart can resume its rally with new sustained highs, the second count would project a possible run to the 9379 area. It takes a trade above the June reactionary high to formally negate the remaining unmet downside objectives

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Daily Levels for Aug 20th, 2025

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Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time ( New York)

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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.

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Volatility, December Oats, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on August 19th, 2025

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Volatility

Quiet Start to the Week—Volatility Ahead with Powell & PMI

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️ Monday Market Brief – August 18, 2025

Low Volume, Calm Waters… Before the Storm?

Today’s trading session opened with notably light volume across major asset classes—a familiar rhythm for an August Monday. With many market participants still in vacation mode and key macro events on the horizon, it’s no surprise we’re seeing range-bound price action and muted volatility.

That calm won’t last long. By Thursday, the tempo is expected to shift dramatically as a wave of economic data hits the tape. PMI reports and the Philadelphia Fed survey will headline the day, offering fresh clues on growth and inflation trends. Then on Friday, all eyes will turn to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks following the Jackson Hole symposium—a moment that often sets the tone for monetary policy heading into Q4.

 Trading Insight

Recognizing the type of day ahead—like today’s low-volatility, sideways grind—can dramatically improve your tactical edge. In environments like this, fading the extremes of volume or volatility bands (buying the lows, selling the highs) tends to outperform breakout strategies. Of course, it’s always easier to see the ideal play in hindsight—but developing that intraday awareness is a skill worth sharpening.

Stay nimble, stay curious, and keep your powder dry for the back half of the week.

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Joseph Easton, breaks down trading options in ten easy steps.

December Oats

December oats are showing some stability after satisfying their second downside PriceCount objective earlier this month. At this point, IF the chart can sustain further weakness, the third count would project a possible run to the $3.18 area which is consistent with a test of the contract low.

And that’s December Oats for you, Traders! Make it a great trading week!

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Daily Levels for Aug 19th, 2025

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Economic Reports

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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.

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Corn, Soybean, Copper, Crude Oil; Your 4 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on July 31st, 2025

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Corn

Bullet Points, Highlights, Announcements

By Mark O’ Brien, Senior Broker

corn

General:

The Federal Reserve held rates steady for a fifth straight meeting today but faced rare dissents from two officials seeking an immediate cut. Officials maintained their benchmark policy rate in a range between 4.25% and 4.5%. Dissent came from two Fed governors and marks the first meeting since 2020 in which more than one Fed official voted differently than chair Powell, and the first since 1993 in which more than one board governor dissented.

Grains: Soybean, Corn

Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures fell for the fourth consecutive session today, dragged down by favorable weather across the U.S. Midwest and sluggish export demand, analysts said. Weighing on prices were forecasts for cooler temperatures and periodic rainfall in the U.S. Midwest, bolstering expectations for big U.S. soy and corn harvests. Prior to tomorrow’s First Notice Day for the contract, August futures touched $9.77 3/4 per bushel, its lowest price of the year. Sept. corn futures matched yesterday’s intraday low of $3.87 3/4 per bushel, nearly a 2-year low.

Energy: Crude Oil

Crude futures rose for the third day, buoyed by concerns U.S. sanctions could reduce flows of Russian crude, optimism over trade deals such as those with the EU and Japan.

Focus ahead will be on the weekend meeting where OPEC+ will determine September output levels. The September West Texas futures contract on the NYMEX traded above $70/barrel for the first time since June 23, a ±$5.00/barrel in three trading sessions, equal to a $5,000 per contract move.

Metals: Copper

Last week, copper futures hit a new record high with the front month September contract trading to $5.9585/lb. Today, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation ordering 50% tariffs on certain copper imports, citing national security. However, the levies applied only to semi-finished products, such as copper pipes and wires and so-called derivate products such as pipe fittings and cables. It excluded refined materials such as copper ores and concentrates. Reacting to the anticipated limited impact on the base metal, September copper futures plunged over $1.20/lb. to below $4.60/lb. – a ±19% drubbing and a ±$30,000 per contract move for the contract, the largest single-day decline since 1989.

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December Corn

December Corn is testing support against the contract low and key reversal. If violated, new sustained lows would project a potential slide to the third PriceCount objective to the $3.88 area.

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors. Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Daily Levels for July 31st, 2025

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Want to feature our updated trading levels on your website? Simply paste a small code, and they’ll update automatically every day! 

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Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time ( New York)

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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.

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December Bean Oil, Levels, Reports; Your 3 Crucial Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on July 29th, 2025

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 Plan your trade, trade your plan and have a great trading week!
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December Bean Oil

The Sept – Dec bean oil spread satisfied its first upside PriceCount objective, consistent with a test of the April highs. It would be normal to get a near team reaction from this level in the form of a consolidation or corrective trade. From here, IF the chart can sustain further gains, the second count would project a possible run to the .60 area.

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Daily Levels for July 29th, 2025

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Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time ( New York)

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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.

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Risk Management, Trading Psychology, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Expert Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on July 25th, 2025

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Trading Futures – Risk Management & Trading Psychology

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

Risk management and trading psychology are two critical aspects of success in the futures and commodities markets. Effective risk management strategies and a solid understanding of trading psychology are essential for traders to navigate the complexities of these markets and achieve long-term profitability. In this comprehensive discussion, we will delve into risk management techniques such as stop-loss orders, position sizing, diversification, and hedging strategies. Additionally, we will explore the psychological aspects of trading, including managing emotions, discipline, patience, and mental resilience.
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risk

Risk Management Strategies

Stop-Loss Orders

Stop-loss orders are one of the most widely used risk management tools in futures trading. A stop-loss order is an order placed with a broker to buy or sell a futures contract once the price reaches a specified level, known as the stop price. The purpose of a stop-loss order is to limit potential losses by automatically closing out a position if the market moves against the trader beyond a certain point.

For a theoretical example, if a trader buys a crude oil futures contract at $60 per barrel, they may set a stop-loss order at $55 per barrel. If the price of crude oil drops to $55, the stop-loss order will trigger, and the trader’s position will be automatically liquidated, limiting their loss to $5 per barrel.

Position Sizing

Position sizing refers to the process of determining the appropriate size of a futures position based on factors such as risk tolerance, account size, and market conditions. Proper position sizing is crucial for managing risk and avoiding overexposure to the market.

Traders often use a percentage-based approach to position sizing, where they risk a certain percentage of their account equity on each trade. For example, a trader may decide to risk 2% of their account equity on any single trade. If they have a $50,000 trading account, they would risk $1,000 on a trade, adjusting the position size based on the distance between the entry price and the stop-loss level.

Diversification

Diversification involves spreading risk across different asset classes, markets, or instruments to reduce overall portfolio risk. In futures trading, diversification can be achieved by trading multiple contracts across various sectors, such as energy, agriculture, metals, and financials.

By diversifying their trading portfolio, traders can potentially offset losses in one market with gains in another, reducing the impact of adverse price movements on their overall profitability. However, it’s essential to note that diversification does not eliminate risk entirely but rather helps manage and spread it.

Hedging Strategies

Hedging is a risk management technique used to protect against adverse price movements in the market. Futures traders often use hedging strategies to offset the risk of their primary positions or to hedge against external factors such as currency fluctuations or geopolitical events.

Common hedging strategies in futures trading include:

  • Short Hedging: Selling futures contracts to offset the risk of a long position in the underlying asset. For example, a farmer may sell corn futures to hedge against price declines in the physical corn they produce.
  • Long Hedging: Buying futures contracts to offset the risk of a short position in the underlying asset. For instance, an airline company may buy crude oil futures to hedge against rising fuel prices.

Trading Psychology

Managing Emotions

Emotions play a significant role in trading decisions, often leading to impulsive actions and irrational behavior. Effective traders learn to manage their emotions, including fear, greed, and euphoria, to make objective and rational trading decisions.

Managing emotions involves:

  • Developing a trading plan with predefined entry and exit criteria.
  • Sticking to the plan and avoiding emotional reactions to market fluctuations.
  • Practicing mindfulness and emotional awareness to identify and control emotional triggers.

Discipline

Discipline is crucial for success in futures trading. It involves following a consistent trading strategy, adhering to risk management rules, and maintaining a structured approach to trading.

Key aspects of discipline include:

  • Following trading rules and strategies without deviation.
  • Avoiding impulsive trades or revenge trading after losses.
  • Accepting losses as part of trading and learning from mistakes.

Patience

Patience is a virtue in futures trading, especially when waiting for favorable trading opportunities and allowing trades to develop according to the plan. Impatience can lead to premature entries or exits, increasing the risk of losses.

Practicing patience involves:

  • Waiting for confirmation signals and setups before entering trades.
  • Avoiding overtrading and chasing the market.
  • Allowing trades sufficient time to reach their targets or stop-loss levels.

Mental Resilience

Mental resilience is the ability to bounce back from losses, setbacks, and challenges in trading. It involves maintaining a positive mindset, learning from failures, and staying focused on long-term goals.

Building mental resilience includes:

  • Developing a growth mindset and embracing failures as learning opportunities.
  • Staying adaptable and flexible in response to changing market conditions.
  • Seeking support from mentors, peers, or trading communities during challenging times.

Risk management strategies and trading psychology are integral components of successful futures trading. Traders must implement effective risk management techniques such as stop-loss orders, position sizing, diversification, and hedging to protect their capital and manage market risk. Additionally, understanding and mastering trading psychology, including managing emotions, discipline, patience, and mental resilience, are crucial for making rational decisions and maintaining consistent profitability in the dynamic and competitive futures and commodities markets. By combining robust risk management practices with a disciplined and resilient trading mindset, traders can enhance their trading performance and achieve their financial goals.

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October Hogs

October hogs recently satisfied the second downside PriceCount objective and corrected higher. A further recovery above the July reactionary high would formally negate the remaining unmet downside counts.

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Daily Levels for July 25th, 2025

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Want to feature our updated trading levels on your website? Simply paste a small code, and they’ll update automatically every day! 

Click here for quick and easy instructions.

Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time ( New York)

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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.

Join our Private Facebook group

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Listen to our podcast: Subscribe on AppleSpotify, Amazon

or wherever you listen to podcasts!

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E-Mini, September Yen, Natural Gas, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on July 24th, 2025

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Bullet Points, Highlights, Announcements

By Mark O’ Brien, Senior Broker

e-mini

Stock Indexes:

E-Mini

Stock index futures climbed today on the heels of news the U.S. struck a trade deal with Japan. The September E-mini Dow Jones contract rose more than 450 points, a ±$2,250-per contract move (>1%) and nearing its first record close of 2025. The E-mini S&P 500 moved up ±45 points, also a ±$2,250-point move and the E-mini Nasdaq rose ±60 points, both once again pacing for record closes.

Futures are readying for a big test in Google-parent Alphabet and Tesla’s earnings due after the bell, the first of the “Magnificent Seven” to report.

Energy:

Natural Gas

With elevated supply overshadowing demand, August natural gas futures floundered through midday today trading lower for a third consecutive session this week to an intraday low of $3.061, nearing an 8-month low of $2.974 posted intraday on Nov.4, 2024. The contract has made a ±$20,000 move down after trading briefly above $5.000 in early March.

Metals:

Gold

While gold futures are up around 30% so far this year (credit the global trade war, geopolitical risks and central bank buying as key drivers for the precious metals’ rally, that same trade deal saw Dec. Gold register a ±$45 per ounce loss today and once again trading back near $3,400 per ounce.

Copper futures hit a new record today as the U.S. market continues to brace itself for a 50% tariff next month. The most active September contracts on the CME soared as much to $5.930 per lb., a new all-time intraday high.

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September Japanese Yen

September Yen satisfied its second downside PriceCount recently and is correcting higher. IF the chart can resume its slide with new sustained lows, the third count would project a possible run to the 6528 area.

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Daily Levels for July 24th, 2025

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Economic Reports

provided by: ForexFactory.com

All times are Eastern Time ( New York)

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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.

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Trade and Risk Management, September OJ, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Inspiring Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on July 23rd, 2025

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Risk Management

By Ilan Levy-Mayer, VP

risk management

Trade and Risk Management

Course Overview 14 minutes

“If you have an approach that makes money, then money management can make the difference between success and failure…I try to be conservative in my risk management. I want to make sure I’ll be around to play tomorrow. Risk control is essential.” – Monroe Trout, Trout Trading

START the FREE Course

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September OJ

September Orange Juice is breaking out of a multi month range trade and is activating upside PriceCounts in the process. The first possible price objective is in the 400 area.

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Daily Levels for July 23rd, 2025

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Want to feature our updated trading levels on your website? Simply paste a small code, and they’ll update automatically every day! Click here for quick and easy instructions.

Economic Reports

provided by: ForexFactory.com

All times are Eastern Time ( New York)

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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.

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Listen to our podcast: Subscribe on AppleSpotify, Amazon

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Summer Trading, E-Mini S&P 500, December Meal V. Corn Spread, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on July 22nd, 2025

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Summer Trading

By Ilan Levy-Mayer, VP

summer

Summer Trading at the Halfway Point

Today’s E-mini S&P 500 (ES) futures volume clocked in at just 874,000 contracts—a level we haven’t seen in months. Summer trading often brings thinner liquidity and choppier price action, so adapting your strategy is key.

To capture steadier intraday moves, diversify into other high-liquidity markets like gold futures, crude oil, and 30-year Treasury bond futures, where volume and volatility tend to hold up better in the off-season.

Also, swapping out time-based bars for range bars or volume bars will filter out noise and highlight true buying and selling pressure, giving you cleaner signals for entries, stops, and exits.

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December Meal vs. Corn Spread – in cents/lb

The Dec Meal vs. Corn protein spread satisfied its second downside PriceCount objective to the 6.48 and is correcting higher. At this point, IF the chart can resume its break with new sustained lows, the third count would project a possible drop to the 5.05 area. While this spread is historically narrow already, a 5 cent spread is not unprecedented; we have traded at sub 3 cents in the past.

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Daily Levels for July 22nd, 2025

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Want to feature our updated trading levels on your website? Simply paste a small code, and they’ll update automatically every day! 

Click here for quick and easy instructions.

Economic Reports

provided by: ForexFactory.com

All times are Eastern Time ( New York)

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Find us on Trustpilot

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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.

Join our Private Facebook group

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Listen to our podcast: Subscribe on AppleSpotify, Amazon

or wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Market Updates, Fed Speakers, Trillions in Earnings, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures the Week of July 21st, 2025

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Cannon Futures Weekly Letter

In Today’s Issue #1250

  • The Week Ahead – Trillion $ Earnings, Fed Speakers & More!

  • Futures 101 – Basics in Futures Trading

  • Hot Market of the Week – October Sugar

  • Broker’s Trading System of the Week – Gold Swing Trading System

  • Trading Levels for Next Week

  • Trading Reports for Next Week

Important Notices: The Week Ahead

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

market

The Week Ahead,

The First Trillion-dollar market cap companies to report Q2 earnings, Google and Tesla.

The final Fed Speakers before the 8-day blackout will be Chair Powell and on Tuesday

Subdued Volatility, from the geopolitical front for the moment as tensions between Iran/Israel have relaxed in the near term. Of note, an Iranian proxy, Hamas spokesman willing to release all hostages to end the war. So far, the oil market has only moderately been affected by the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

Tariff impacts are creating volatility in commodity markets (industrial metals, Orange Juice, Coffee, Grains) look for news about China, Canada and Mexico Tariffs in the next 13 days to impact equity, bond and commodity prices.

Remember that current market drivers for Equities are hard data on Jobs, Inflation, Trump tweets and Geopolitics, clearly the Israel/Iran conflict jumps to the top of the list here. Watch for the gold market to maintain its rangebound stance.

Continued volatility to come as next week all markets will be reacting to whatever comes out of Big Earnings, Fed Speak and U.S. Govt leadership relating to conflicts cessation and trade deals.

Earnings Next Week:

  • Mon. Quiet
  • Tue. Coca-Cola, Phillip Morris, Lockheed Martin
  • Wed. Google, Tesla, IBM, CME group
  • Thu. Blackstone, Intel
  • Fri.   Quiet

FED SPEECHES: (all times CDT)

  • Mon.   Quiet
  • Tues.  7:30 am CT Fed Chair Powell, Noon CT, Vice Fed Chair for Supervision Bowman
  • Wed.  8 Day Blackout period begins for the July 30th Rate decision
  • Thu.   Quiet
  • Fri.     Quiet

Economic Data week:

  • Mon.  CB Leading Index
  • Tue.    Redbook, Richmond Fed
  • Wed. Existing Home Sales, EIA Crude Stocks, Beige book
  • Thur.  Chgo. Fed Activity Index, Bldg. Permits, Jobless claims, PMI, New Home Sales, EIA NAT       GAS Storage, K. City Fed Activity index
  • Fri.  Durable Goods
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First Steps in Trading Futures Market Basics

  1. Patience for a real clear situation.
  2. Trends and sound fundamentals are almost perfect market tone.
  3. Calculate risk reward: at least a 1 to 3 ratio.
  4. Place stops beyond some technical barrier, a hard-to-reach spot.

Read Report Now  

Hot Market of the Week

Hot market of the week is provided by QT Market Center, A Swiss army knife charting package that’s not just for Hedgers, Cooperatives and Farmers alike but also for Spread traders, Swing traders and shorter time frame application for intraday traders with a unique proprietary indicator that can be applied to your specific trading needs.

Free Trial Available

October Sugar

October Sugar came close enough to completing third wave PriceCount objective of 15.12 and reversed higher. Now the chart has activated upside PriceCounts as seen below with 17.19 being first objective.

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk. Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors.

Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Brokers Trading System of the Week

Intr. Swing71_Full v.2.3 _ Gold GC

Markets Traded:   Gold Futures GC

System Type: Swing Trading

Risk per Trade: varies

Trading Rules: Partially Disclosed

Suggested Capital: $45,000

Developer Fee per contract: $160 Monthly Subscription

 

Get Started

Learn More

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Disclaimer

The risk of trading can be substantial, and each investor and/or trader must consider whether this is a suitable investment. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

IMPORTANT RISK DISCLOSURE

Futures trading is complex and carries the risk of substantial losses. It is not suitable for all investors. The ability to withstand losses and to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses are material points which can adversely affect investor returns.

The returns for trading systems listed throughout this website are hypothetical in that they represent returns in a model account. The model account rises or falls by the average single contract profit and loss achieved by clients trading actual money pursuant to the listed system’s trading signals on the appropriate dates (client fills), or if no actual client profit or loss available – by the hypothetical single contract profit and loss of trades generated by the system’s trading signals on that day in real time (real-time) less slippage, or if no real time profit or loss available – by the hypothetical single contract profit and loss of trades generated by running the system logic backwards on backadjusted data (backadjusted).

Please read carefully the CFTC required disclaimer regarding hypothetical results below. HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE MANY INHERENT LIMITATIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN; IN FACT, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND THE ACTUAL RESULTS SUBSEQUENTLY ACHIEVED BY ANY PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM. ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS IS THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY PREPARED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT.

IN ADDITION, HYPOTHETICAL TRADING DOES NOT INVOLVE FINANCIAL RISK, AND NO HYPOTHETICAL TRADING RECORD CAN COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL RISK OF ACTUAL TRADING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND LOSSES OR TO ADHERE TO A PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM IN SPITE OF TRADING LOSSES ARE MATERIAL POINTS WHICH CAN ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE MARKETS IN GENERAL OR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY SPECIFIC TRADING PROGRAM WHICH CANNOT BE FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PREPARATION OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND ALL WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS.

Please read full disclaimer HERE.

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Trading Levels for Next Week

Daily Levels for July 21st, 2025

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Trading Reports for Next Week

First Notice (FN), Last trading (LT) Days for the Week:

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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.

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