Open An Account
Free Demo Account Subscribe Here

Category: Futures Trading

Futures trading is done by two main parties, one of which is the hedger and the other one is the speculator. Where a speculator is there to trade for either their own accounts or that of their clients, a hedger always uses futures as a possible protection from losses. Hedgers can also be described as individuals or business owners who are more risk averse. Speculators and hedgers are likely to benefit from futures trading if the trader has a strong ability to analyze the markets and understands that future behavior. Though futures can behigh risk, they offer an equally high return and are thus very tempting.

In case you are new to futures trading you need to understand how things work. We at Cannon Trading are there to help with your understanding of all the elements of futures trading and also counsel and advise you with the same. Our knowledge base featured on our website, is a store house of information. In order to know every aspect of futures trading, you must read through these articles that have been listed in this category archive. Go through it and get better informed!

CME Group Moment of Silence During Futures Market Hours | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. December Mini S&P 500 Continuous Futures chart
4. Economic Reports
5. Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

FRONT MONTH FOR EQUITIES AND BONDS IS DECEMBER

SYMBOL FOR DECEMBER IS Z

On a different note:

On Friday, September 9, 2011, CME Group will observe the tenth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. As a result, NYMEX/COMEX markets on CME Globex will observe voluntary moments of silence at: 07:46 CT/08:46 ET, 08:03 CT/09:03 ET, 08:59 CT/09:59 ET and 09:29 CT/10:29 ET. We request that all electronic market participants refrain from trading NYMEX and COMEX products on CME Globex and CME ClearPort during these moments of silence

December mini SP continuous chart for your review below: Continue reading “CME Group Moment of Silence During Futures Market Hours | Support and Resistance Levels”

Crude Oil Inventory Economic Report | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Support and Resistance Levels
2. Economic Reports
3. Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS!

Contract (Sept. 2011) SP500 (big & Mini) Nasdaq100 (big & Mini) Dow Jones (big & Mini) Mini Russell
Resistance 3 1225.33 2301.00 11802 744.90
Resistance 2 1211.92 2262.25 11609 726.70
Resistance 1 1204.83 2242.25 11509 717.20
Pivot 1191.42 2203.50 11316 699.00
Support 1 1184.33 2183.50 11216 689.50
Support 2 1170.92 2144.75 11023 671.30
Support 3 1163.83 2124.75 10923 661.80

 

Contract Dec. Gold Sept. Euro Oct. Crude Oil Dec. Bonds
Resistance 3 1889.2 1.4328 94.26 141 9/32
Resistance 2 1865.0 1.4239 92.00 140 26/32
Resistance 1 1842.2 1.4170 90.67 140 4/32
Pivot 1818.0 1.4081 88.41 139 21/32
Support 1 1795.2 1.4012 87.08 138 31/32
Support 2 1771.0 1.3923 84.82 138 16/32
Support 3 1748.2 1.3854 83.49 137 26/32

divider black 190

2. Economic Reports Thursday September 8th, 2011

Trade Balance
8:30am USD

Unemployment Claims
8:30am USD

Natural Gas Storage
10:30am USD

Crude Oil Inventories
11:00am USD

Fed Chairman Bernanke Speaks
1:00pm USD

Consumer Credit m/m
3:00pm USD

President Obama Speaks
7:00pm USD

Economics Report Source: http://www.forexfactory.com/calendar.php

divider black 190

3. Today’s Highlighted Earnings Releases

SYMBOL COMPANY EVENT TITLE EPS ESTIMATE EPS ACTUAL PREV. YEAR ACTUAL DATE/TIME (ET)
A9I.I Agi Therapeutics PLC Interim 2011 Agi Therapeutics PLC Earnings Release n/a n/a n/a 7-Sep
CNU Continucare Corp Q4 2011 Continucare Corp Earnings Release $ 0.11 n/a $ 0.09 7-Sep BMO
FCE.A Forest City Enterprises Inc Q2 2011 Forest City Enterprises Inc Earnings Release $ 0.37 n/a $ 0.54 7-Sep AMC
HW.TO Harry Winston Diamond Corp Q2 2012 Harry Winston Diamond Corp Earnings Release n/a n/a n/a 7-Sep AMC
HITK Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co Inc Q1 2012 Hi Tech Pharmacal Co Inc Earnings Release $ 0.84 n/a $ 0.67 7-Sep BMO
SEAC SeaChange International Inc Q2 2012 SeaChange International Inc Earnings Release $ 0.16 n/a $ 0.11 7-Sep AMC

Bearish Close for the Mini Russell 2000 | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Daily Futures Chart for Mini Russell 2000
4a. Economic Reports Monday September 5th
4b. Economic Reports Tuesday September 6th

1. Market Commentary

I wrote the following yesterday:
I am getting mixed signals from the chart perspective and there is a case both for the bulls and the bears.

The bulls need to hold above 1183.00 and break above 1215.75

The bears need to break below 1183.00 to have a shot at the 1142.50 level.

Well we broke below 1183 and closed right around 1172, which to me is a bearish close. However to keep things in perspective, this is pretty much the same price we traded at last Friday…..The next level the bulls must defend is 1132.75.

It will be interesting to see which direction this market takes after the long weekend.

Wishing all of you a great, long Labor Day weekend. recharge, relax, enjoy and see you next week! You can view the Labor Day 2011 futures trading hours below.

View Labor Day 2011 Holiday Futures Trading Hours

Daily chart of Mini Russell 2000 including a sell signal I got yesterday after the close for your review below.

divider black 190

2. Support and Resistance Levels!

Contract (Sept. 2011) SP500 (big & Mini) Nasdaq100 (big & Mini) Dow Jones (big & Mini) Mini Russell
Resistance 3 1198.23 2274.25 11745 730.13
Resistance 2 1191.62 2248.00 11631 719.77
Resistance 1 1181.93 2208.25 11426 700.33
Pivot 1175.32 2182.00 11312 689.97
Support 1 1165.63 2142.25 11107 670.53
Support 2 1159.02 2116.00 10993 660.17
Support 3 1149.33 2076.25 10788 640.73

 

Contract Dec. Gold Sept. Euro Oct. Crude Oil Dec. Bonds
Resistance 3 1916.9 1.4365 92.26 145 2/32
Resistance 2 1900.7 1.4326 90.62 142 23/32
Resistance 1 1892.7 1.4258 88.69 141 16/32
Pivot 1876.5 1.4219 87.05 139 5/32
Support 1 1868.5 1.4151 85.12 137 30/32
Support 2 1852.3 1.4112 83.48 135 19/32
Support 3 1844.3 1.4044 81.55 134 12/32

divider black 190

3. Daily Futures chart for Mini Russell 2000 from September 2nd, 2011

Daily Futures chart for Mini Russell 2000 from September 2nd, 2011

divider black 190

4a. Economic Reports Monday September 5th, 2011

Bank Holiday
8:30am USD

4b. Economic Reports Tuesday September 6th, 2011

ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI
10:00am USD

Economics Report Source: http://www.forexfactory.com/calendar.php

divider black 190

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!

Monthly Job Report May Move the Markets | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Daily Futures Chart for Mini S&P 500
3. Support and Resistance Levels
4. Economic Reports
5. Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

Monthly unemployment is sure to move the market tomorrow morning…the big question is which way and to be honest , I have no idea…..

i am getting mixed signals from the chart perspective and there is a case both for the bulls and the bears.

The bulls need to hold above 1183.00 and break above 1215.75

The bears need to break below 1183.00 to have a shot at the 1142.50 level.

I am sure we can see wild and wide swings when the report comes out tomorrow morning before cash open and through out the trading session as large traders will try to square their positions ahead of the long, Labor day weekend.

When is doubt, stay out until you have a clearer picture of what you think the market will do.

See the Labor Day Holiday Trading Hours at our weekly newsletter.

divider black 190

2. Support and Resistance Levels!

Contract (Sept. 2011) SP500 (big & Mini) Nasdaq100 (big & Mini) Dow Jones (big & Mini) Mini Russell
Resistance 3 1246.43 2300.75 11865 758.03
Resistance 2 1237.22 2282.25 11785 746.57
Resistance 1 1220.73 2252.50 11635 728.53
Pivot 1211.52 2234.00 11555 717.07
Support 1 1195.03 2204.25 11405 699.03
Support 2 1185.82 2185.75 11325 687.57
Support 3 1169.33 2156.00 11175 669.53

 

Contract Dec. Gold Sept. Euro Oct. Crude Oil Dec. Bonds
Resistance 3 1853.5 1.4510 91.43 140 25/32
Resistance 2 1843.5 1.4444 90.66 139 4/32
Resistance 1 1835.4 1.4356 89.74 138 11/32
Pivot 1825.4 1.4290 88.97 136 22/32
Support 1 1817.3 1.4202 88.05 135 29/32
Support 2 1807.3 1.4136 87.28 134 8/32
Support 3 1799.2 1.4048 86.36 133 15/32

Continue reading “Monthly Job Report May Move the Markets | Support and Resistance Levels”

Higher Market Volatility During Labor Day Weekend | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Economic Reports
4. Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

Next two days are full of economic reports and ahead of Labor Day weekend.

I expect even higher volatility the next two trading days.

Wishing you a great trading month in September.

Our weekly newsletter, includes a good article on volume/ open interest along with Holiday Trading Hours.

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. Continue reading “Higher Market Volatility During Labor Day Weekend | Support and Resistance Levels”

Higher Volume in Futures Markets | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Daily Futures Chart for Mini S&P 500
3. Support and Resistance Levels
4. Economic Reports
4. Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

Interesting price action today.

Market visited both positive and negative territory with better volume than last few sessions.

Market made recent highs at 1218.75 yet finished slightly lower to unchanged.

Tomorrow is the last trading day of the month.

Overall as one can see from chart below, open interest has risen since we first sold off hard, while volume has dropped since the sell off during the first few days of August.

What does it mean to me? My guess is that the bounce we have seen after the 1077 Aug 9th low on the SP500 is a bear market rally. While we may see a bounce to 1244 -1283 levels, I feel there are bigger chances for the downtrend to resumeand for the market to visit Aug 9th lows and perhaps lower.

As always the “Million $$ questions” are:

When does one enter?

How does one protect oneself in case this analysis is wrong?

How does one manage the trade once one has answered the first two questions above….

divider black 190

2. Support and Resistance Levels!

Contract (Sept. 2011) SP500 (big & Mini) Nasdaq100 (big & Mini) Dow Jones (big & Mini) Mini Russell
Resistance 3 1244.33 2300.83 11823 755.33
Resistance 2 1231.42 2275.17 11721 743.47
Resistance 1 1219.83 2252.58 11620 734.03
Pivot 1206.92 2226.92 11518 722.17
Support 1 1195.33 2204.33 11417 712.73
Support 2 1182.42 2178.67 11315 700.87
Support 3 1170.83 2156.08 11214 691.43

 

Contract Dec. Gold Sept. Euro Oct. Crude Oil Dec. Bonds
Resistance 3 1865.0 1.4672 92.56 138 10/32
Resistance 2 1850.7 1.4601 90.88 137 29/32
Resistance 1 1845.6 1.4522 89.81 137 16/32
Pivot 1831.3 1.4451 88.13 137 3/32
Support 1 1826.2 1.4372 87.06 136 22/32
Support 2 1811.9 1.4301 85.38 136 9/32
Support 3 1806.8 1.4222 84.31 135 28/32

Continue reading “Higher Volume in Futures Markets | Support and Resistance Levels”

Key Resistance Level in Futures Trading Price Action | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Market rallied close to 3% on the SP and Dow Jones. Again it did so on much lighter volume than when it sold off last few weeks but nonetheless one CANNOT argue with price action. We are approaching the 50% retracement level from the highs made on July 8th to lows made Aug 9th. That level on the mini SP is 1212.50. I believe that the 1212 to 1219 zone is an important resistance level to watch. If we break above it with meaningful volume, it may be a sign of further room to the upside, on the other hand if we fail against it and volume picks up with price action going lower, it may be a sign of resumed selling. As always in our business… time will tell. Plenty of economic reports this week, both in the US and in Europe. Last but not least it is the end of the month…. Wishing you great trading this week and Daily chart of the mini SP 500 for your review below.

Daily Futures chart for Mini S&P 500 from August 29th, 2011

Daily Futures chart for Mini S&P 500 from August 29th, 2011

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. Continue reading “Key Resistance Level in Futures Trading Price Action | Support and Resistance Levels”

Using Algorithms During High Market Volatility | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Another day full of two sided moves and volatility.

This type of trading action works well for a set of studies/ ALGO I developed.

You can see a screen shot below which pretty much speaks for itself.

Minute Futures chart for 10,000 Contracts CVB from August 26th, 2011

Minute Futures chart for 10,000 Contracts CVB from August 26th, 2011

I share my studies and ALGO in two ways.

The first is by having a daily live chart service, where subscribers/ trial members get a unique invitation to view my screen along with live charts, trade signals and trade philosophy. I call it live webinar.

The second method is available for sierra charts / ATcharts users . Those who are interested will get my ALGO/ study pac via email and will be able to apply it on their sierra charts for different markets, different time frames etc.

Both methods are available for a free trial if you did not have one yet.

To read more and request a trial, visit our futures trading webinar page or simply send me an email with your sierra/ ATcharts user name.

Have a great weekend!

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. Continue reading “Using Algorithms During High Market Volatility | Support and Resistance Levels”

Futures Trading Levels, Stock Indeces Bounce Back

Posted on by Ilan

Strong bounce on stock indices today across the board. As one can see, market is volatile and one day it seems the market just can’t stop selling, the next it flips around and runs higher….part of volatility, part of uncertainty, fear and greed.

the only advice I can share at this point is be ready for the unexpected. Know yourself, what your goals are out of each trade, how much risk tolerance you have the stomach for and then and only then decide on a trading strategy.

Levels to be aware of as volatility will resume in the mini S&P 500 below:

Daily Futures chart of the S&P 500 from August 23rd, 2011

Daily Futures chart of the S&P 500 from August 23rd, 2011

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. Continue reading “Futures Trading Levels, Stock Indeces Bounce Back”

Futures Trading Levels, Trading Plans

Posted on by Ilan

On Friday I wrote the following regarding today’s session:

I have no idea of what to expect of this market for next week. Probably more volatility?

I guess I will wait and see price action Sunday night and Monday morning before forming an opinion.

Well after today’s price action I favor the downside as I see the close today to be bearish to neutral.

As I wrote before, you can have the right market direction and feel for the market and still lose… Maybe more important is the trading plan, i.e entry level, potential targets and stops etc. or to make it short….PLAN YOUR TRADE, TRADE YOUR PLAN.

Daily chart of the DOW JONES CASH index for your review below:

Daily Futures chart of the Dow Jones Cash Index from August 22nd, 2011

Daily Futures chart of the Dow Jones Cash Index from August 22nd, 2011

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. Continue reading “Futures Trading Levels, Trading Plans”

RISK DISCLOSURE: Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in futures trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.