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Category: Future Trading News

As a high risk trading type, futures trading is not for someone who is faint-hearted. Though there are a number of different ways of investing in futures , it is important to stick to what you know. Treading into unknown waters is not something that you should do when dealing in futures.

From managing margins to ordering trades to doing market analysis and more if you want to, you can do that all by yourself – but you may betaking double the risk. Therefore, when trading in futures, it may be better to seek advice from a professional trader.

Professional trading experts at Cannon Trading can help you with your futures trading. We are also there to keep you updated with the latest on futures trading and market news. All the news and latest articles on futures trading are published on our site under the category Archive Futures Trading News, which you are currently browsing through. Read more and the latest here and keep updated.

New Highs for S&P, Futures Levels & Economic Reports 11.14.2013

Posted on November 13, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

Connect with Us! Use Our Futures Trading Levels and Economic Reports RSS Feed.

1. Market Commentary
2. Futures Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000, Dollar Index
3. Commodities Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Commodities Support and Resistance Levels – Corn, Wheat, Beans, Silver
5. Futures Economic Reports for Thursday November 14, 2013

Hello Traders,

For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

New highs on the SP500…..

I have drawn the extensions in the chart below last week…will be interesting to see if price respects those levels or not…I guess we can find out as early as tomorrow….

EP - E-Mini S&P 500, Equalized Active Daily Continuation — EP – E-Mini S&P 500, Equalized Active Daily Continuation

On a different note:

My opinion is that there are 3 main types of trading days.

Most common is two sided trading action with swings up and down – this type of trading day is most suitable for using support and resistance levels along with overbought /oversold indicators.
Strong trending day, mostly one directional – this type of trading day is the least common, many times will happen on Mondays and maybe 3-5 times a month at most – this type of trading day is most suitable for using ADX, MACD crossovers and pretty much looking for pullbacks to jump on the trend.
Slow and/ or choppy trading day – this type of trading day is best suited for taking small profits from the market by looking at volume spikes, using stochastics as possible entry signals and usually wait for a pullback before jumping in.

Good question is how can one asses what type of trading day we will have while the market is still trading….I am doing some work about it and will be happy to hear feedback via email but here are some initial observations:
1. Was the overnight session a wide, two sided trading range? If the answer is yes, good chances for similar trading day during the primary session ( primary session is when the cash/ stock market is open).
2. Mondays have the highest chance for trending days.
3. The behavior of the first hour of trading can also suggests the type of action for the rest of the day.
4. If the first 30 minutes have good volume, better chances for type 1 or type 2 trading days.
5. low volume during first 30 minutes can suggest a choppy (type 3 trading day).

Continue reading “New Highs for S&P, Futures Levels & Economic Reports 11.14.2013”

Gold Daily & Trading Levels & Economic Reports 11.13.2013

Posted on November 12, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

Connect with Us! Use Our Futures Trading Levels and Economic Reports RSS Feed.

For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

Gold and Silver took a hit today, selling off 1% and 2.5% respectively.

Gold and silver are much different markets in my opinion than mini SP or us tbonds for example. Gold, silver and crude oil for that matter are quite volatile with fear and greed playing a bigger role than in other markets. I have seen these markets make some very large moves intraday at times.

I do think that both gold and crude oil are GOOD markets to observe as potential for day-trading as long as you use stops…if you are a trader that “uses mental stops” , these markets are not for you…Good news is that both crude and gold have a mini contract .

Gold chart for your review below with some possible levels to watch for:

GCE - Gold (Globex), Equalized Active Daily Continuation — GCE – Gold (Globex), Equalized Active Daily Continuation

Continue reading “Gold Daily & Trading Levels & Economic Reports 11.13.2013”

Futures Trading Levels & Economic Reports for 11.12.2013

Posted on November 11, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

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For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

Extremely quiet day in the markets with US banks closed in observance of Veteran’s day.

I expect volume and volatility to return tomorrow. I guess it is always easier to look back and have hindsight in your favor …. but traders coming into today should have noted a few things:

Bank Holiday
Lighter volume
Inability of the market to break overnight highs/lows

The conclusions could have been:

Trade lightly or avoid trading
Understanding there is a high chance for range bound market ( sell close to previous session highs, buy close to previous session lows)
and/or look at other markets, perhaps crude oil, perhaps soybeans etc.

Again, much easier for me to say so right now when the market about to close but maybe the thought process will help you the next time.

PS: Here is another advantage of writing a trading journal. Next time we have a bank holiday, your notes may come in handy.

Continue reading “Futures Trading Levels & Economic Reports for 11.12.2013”

Volume Charts & Oscillators & Futures Levels & Economic Reports for 11.07.2013

Posted on November 6, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

Connect with Us! Use Our Futures Trading Levels and Economic Reports RSS Feed.

For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

Using tick/Volume charts and Oscillators for day trading

Using tick charts and oscillators for day-trading (by Ilan Levy-Mayer VP of Cannon Trading and CTA at Levex.net )

I really don’t think anyone has found a “perfect way” to day-trade.

Different techniques work well in different market environment.

In this week short educational feature, I will touch about one technique one can add to their trading arsenal. This technique works better on choppy, two sided ways. It DOES NOT work well when the market has a strong trend.

The chart below illustrates a few principals I like:

It uses a tick chart or Range Bar charts rather than a time chart. I like tick charts & range bar better when day-trading shorter time frames for the simple reason it already includes a big factor in the market, VOLUME and PRICE RANGE. If you are using 5 minutes chart for example, you may get signals simply because time “has passed” and certain indicators you are using adopt certain values. When using tick charts, at times where there is lots of movement in the market, you won’t have to wait until your time frame bar closes to get your signal, volume becomes a bigger more important part of your trading decision.

Read the remaining article “Using tick/Volume charts and Oscillators for day trading”

Continue reading “Volume Charts & Oscillators & Futures Levels & Economic Reports for 11.07.2013”

8 Steps for Successful Day Trading & Futures Levels & Economic Reports for 11.06.2013

Posted on November 5, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

Connect with Us! Use Our Futures Trading Levels and Economic Reports RSS Feed.

For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

8 Steps for successful Day-Trading

My name is Ilan Levy-Mayer and I am the Vice President and Senior Futures Broker at Cannon Trading. I came up with the following personal observations after serving online traders worldwide for more than 15 years.

The following steps are guides to progress, and are not necessarily in sequential order. Some of them are always required, but each futures trader is different and will relate to these stages in their own ways. While attempting to learn and progress, one must keep in mind that futures trading is risky and can involve significant losses.

1. Education

Hopefully if you are already trading you have completed your initial education: contract specs, trading hours, futures brokers, platforms, the opportunities as well as the risk and need to use risk capital in futures, and so on. Understanding this information is essential to futures trading. The second type of education is ongoing: learning about trading techniques, the evolution of futures markets, different trading tools, and more.

2. Find a System

I am definitely not advising you to go on the web and subscribe to a “black box” system (using buy/sell triggers if don’t know why they are being generated). What I am advising is developing a trading technique: a general set of rules and a trading concept. As you progress, you may want to put the different rules and indicators into a computerized system, but the most important factor is to have a focus and a plan. Don’t just wake up in the morning and trade “blank.”

3. Survival

This is the key! Do what you need to do in order to survive this brutal business and give yourself the chance of being here down the road with more experience and a better chance of success. Survival is probably the biggest key for beginning traders. There is a saying in this business: “live to trade another day.” It is so true!

READ THE REST…..

Continue reading “8 Steps for Successful Day Trading & Futures Levels & Economic Reports for 11.06.2013”

30 Yr Bonds & 10 Yr Notes – Trading Levels & Economic Reports for 11.05.2013

Posted on November 4, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

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For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

Each market has different personality, different behavior along with different times of the day when it is most active. If you are finding that the ES is not giving you enough risk/opportunities then start monitoring a couple of other markets and perhaps explore them in demo / simulated mode.

I will try over the next few blogs to shed some light on other markets i think are suitable for day-trading along with what is unique about these markets, personality and most active trading hours.

Today I am going to start with interest rates, mostly the ten year and 30 year.

In most platforms, the symbols are ZB for 30 year bonds and ZN for 10 year notes. The current front month is December which is Z. So ZBZ3 for example.

Product Symbol	ZB

Contract Size	The unit of trading shall be U.S. Treasury Bonds having a face value at maturity of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or multiples thereof

Price Quotation	Points ($1,000) and 1/32 of a point. For example, 134-16 represents 134 16/32. Par is on the basis of 100 points.

Product Symbol	ZN

Underlying Unit	One U.S. Treasury note having a face value at maturity of $100,000.
Deliverable Grades	U.S. Treasury notes with a remaining term to maturity of at least six and a half years, but not more than 10 years, from the first day of the delivery month. The invoice price equals the futures settlement price times a conversion factor, plus accrued interest. The conversion factor is the price of the delivered note ($1 par value) to yield 6 percent.
Price Quote	Points ($1,000) and halves of 1/32 of a point. For example, 126-16 represents 126 16/32 and 126-165 represents 126 16.5/32. Par is on the basis of 100 points.
Tick Size (minimum fluctuation)	One-half of one thirty-second (1/32) of one point ($15.625, rounded up to the nearest cent per contract), except for intermonth spreads, where the minimum price fluctuation shall be one-quarter of one thirty-second of one point ($7.8125 per contract).
Contract Months	The first five consecutive contracts in the March, June, September, and December quarterly cycle.

These contracts are often affected by many of the economic reports that come out at 8:30 Am Eastern and there is very active volume between the hours of 8 am EST and 3 PM EST.

Volume on both contracts is very good. Ten years will often have 1 million contracts traded per day ( might be the second most active US futures market after the mini SP 500) and the bonds will avg. around 300,000 contracts.

These markets can experience very volatile movements during and right after different reports but then will often trade smooth or in an intraday trend the rest of the day.

Follow these two markets in demo mode for a while if you have not traded them before and get a feel for the movement, reaction to reports, execution etc.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Continue reading “30 Yr Bonds & 10 Yr Notes – Trading Levels & Economic Reports for 11.05.2013”

Real Time Trade Alerts – Trading Levels & Reports for 11.01.2013

Posted on October 31, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

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For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

To continue our mini Dow story from yesterday….After the close I got one of my “reversal” indicators to generate a sell signal as a counter trend trade. Personally to me, it gave a bit more confidence in the short side of the trade, HOWEVER, I think that actual trade management, where to place a stop, where to take profits, do you place a limit order for the target or do you just trail your stop ? these and other questions are probably the most important factors when it comes to success or failure of trades.

Daily chart for your review below.

YM - E-Mini Dow Futures - $5 Multiplier, Equlaized Active Daily Continuation — YM – E-Mini Dow Futures – $5 Multiplier

On a different note, I have a daily newsletter where I share trade set ups like the one above:

Get Real Time Trade Alerts Service via text and email
Would you like to receive a 30 day free trial to a new trade alert service?

Get new buy/ sell ideas along with suggested stops and profit targets in real time.

This trade alert service was developed and published by LEVEX Capital Management Inc. ( “LEVEX”) a registered CTA with the CFTC and member of the NFA.

“LEVEX” will transmit alerts via text and/or email with potential buy and sell recommendations for different commodities along with suggested stops and profit targets. The alerts are based on technical analysis and using a computerized model developed by “LEVEX”.

Each day the program runs a market scan to look for markets that fit certain technical criteria / trade algorithm developed by LEVEX Capital management Inc. Once a market has been identified as a possible high probability set up, you will receive a trade alert with the trade idea.

Continue reading “Real Time Trade Alerts – Trading Levels & Reports for 11.01.2013”

Mini Dow Futures Outlook & Risk/Reward – Trading Levels & Reports for 10.31.2013

Posted on October 30, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

Connect with Us! Use Our Futures Trading Levels and Economic Reports RSS Feed.

For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

So FOMC came and gone and like I said many times before, many times the real reaction comes the next day.
Which way, I am not sure but I am sharing a daily chart of the mini Dow futures where I see either potential for double top if we hold below today’s high OR potential for a break above and move towards the next FIBONACCI extension as seen on the chart.

As always in our business….time will tell, which brings me to a different point I would like to share:

My thoughts are as follow, there is probably 65% chance this market will try to make a new high and break today’s high ( in my opinion), however, I think that is we make a new high it will not be that much further than were we at now. While I think there is better chances for a move up, I think that if we do make a move down, there are HIGHER probabilities for a larger move downside than a larger move to the upside….hope this make sense. Based on this personal view of mine, I will look for a short set up with relatively small stop in hopes to catch the next big wave down. it may take a few attempts on my end but I like the risk / reward of this set up and hope that by sharing the thought process I gave you an idea on another approach for trading.

Continue reading “Mini Dow Futures Outlook & Risk/Reward – Trading Levels & Reports for 10.31.2013”

FOMC Statement + Futures Trading Levels & Economic Reports for October 30, 2013

Posted on October 29, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

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For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

First a quick heads up: A colleague of mine whom I respect his technical forecasts is holding a webinar tomorrow:

Is this rally in Gold for real? Find out for yourself. Wednesday morning October 30th at 11 AM EDT when Rick Ackerman of Rick’s Picks offers timely technical forecasts and trading tips for some of the most popular bullion vehicles, including Comex futures, GOLD, Silver Wheaton and Newmont Mining Register now for this one-time presentation, which will conclude with a Q&A session devoted to your favorite trading vehicle.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/380360810

Secondly, The FOMC interest rate decision is due at 14:00 ET in the US tomorrow ( Wednesday, Oct. 30th).

FOMC days have different characteristics than other trading days. If you have traded for a while, check your trading notes from past FOMC days that may help you prepare for tomorrow.

If you are a newcomer, take a more conservative approach and make sure you understand that the news can really move the market.

The following are suggestions on trading during FOMC days:

Reduce trading size
Be extra picky = no trade is better than a bad trade
Choose entry points wisely. Look at longer time frame support and resistance for entry. Take the approach of entering at points where you normally would have placed protective stops. Example, trader x looking to go long the mini SP at 1525.00 with a stop at 1519.00, instead “stretch the price bands” due to volatility and place an entry order to buy at 1519.75 and place a stop a few points below in this hypothetical example.
Expect the higher volatility during and right after the announcement
Expect to see some “vacuum” ( low volume, big zigzags) right before the number.
Consider using automated stops and limits attached to your entry order as the market can move very fast at times.
Know what the market was expecting, learn what came out and observe market reaction for clues
This is another great example why a trading journal would be an asset, as you can go back and check your notes from previous FOMC days.
Be patient and be disciplined Continue reading “FOMC Statement + Futures Trading Levels & Economic Reports for October 30, 2013”

Stock Index Futures = Different Personalities, Trading Levels and Economic Reports October 29, 2013

Posted on October 28, 2013September 16, 2014 by Ilan

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For 2013 I would like to wish all of you discipline and patience in your trading!

Big week ahead for stock index futures as well as other markets.

We have FOMC taking place tomorrow and Wednesday with rate announcement coming out Wednesday.

A few other reports that did not take place during the shut down are released this week. Make sure you check forexfactory.com for updated report times.

I think that stock index futures have been a little harder to trade these past few years…With the Fed injecting money using the QE program, the “normal market forces” are not in play as much as in other markets. I personally miss the days where stock index futures traded “freely” and can’t wait for what I consider normal, free market forces to determine price action. That being said, it is what it is and I guess FED action is part of the market right now and we as traders need to adjust.

What i wrote above is part of the reason i find markets like crude oil, gold, grains and even bond futures more appealing for trading. So if any of you have some what of a similar feeling to what I described above and looking for alternative markets – let me know and I can be of help by suggesting different markets and pointing out some of the characteristics for the different markets.

Continue reading “Stock Index Futures = Different Personalities, Trading Levels and Economic Reports October 29, 2013”

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Gold and Silver took a hit today, selling off 1% and 2.5% respectively.

Extremely quiet day in the markets with US banks closed in observance of Veteran’s day.

Using tick/Volume charts and Oscillators for day trading

1. Education

2. Find a System

3. Survival