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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!

Christmas Holiday 2011 Futures Trading Hours and Holiday Trading Schedule

Posted on by Ilan

Good morning Traders! Below are the holiday trading hours for this Christmas holiday 2011. If you have any questions call us at (800) 454-9572. Good trading!

Friday, December 23 Futures Trading Hours

CME Group (Floor)
12:00 pm Close: Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate products
* All other products regular close

NYMEX (Floor)
12:30 pm Close

GLOBEX
Regular Close

ICE
12:00 pm Close: Open outcry Financial products
3:15 pm Close: Index products
* All other products regular close

EUREX
Regular Close

Nadex
Regular Close

OneChicago
Regular Close

NYSE
Regular Close

Forex
Regular Close

Sunday, December 25 Futures Trading Hours Continue reading “Christmas Holiday 2011 Futures Trading Hours and Holiday Trading Schedule”

Almost-Friday Morning Support and Resistance Numbers

Posted on by Ilan

That’s right, after the bell today, you know what that means. As Big Ben would say, it’s Fridayyyyy!

If you want to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth, ask us for a trial of our S&P Audio trial.

Here’s a morning cup o’ joe for all you futures traders, our morning support and resistance levels. Good trading!

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Support and Resistance Levels – S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones, Mini Russell 2000, 30-Year US Bond, 10-Year US Note

Contract (Dec. 2011) Mini S&P 500 Mini Nasdaq 100 Dow Jones Mini Russell 2000 30-Year US Bond 10-Year US Note
Resistance Level 3——————————————

Resistance Level 2

——————————————

Resistance Level 1

——————————————

Support Level 1

——————————————

Support Level 2

——————————————

Support Level 3

 1241.25

1233

 

1224.75

 

1203.25

 

1198

 

1193.5

 2295.00

2280

 

2265

 

2215

 

2196

 

2135

 12038

11972

 

11906

 

11689

 

11556

 

11451

 732

725.5

 

719

 

698.10

 

696.50

 

686.60

 14613

14514

 

14504

 

14326

 

14303

 

14216

 13130

13109.5

 

13102

 

13014.5

 

13004

 

12927

Continue reading “Almost-Friday Morning Support and Resistance Numbers”

Daily Chart of the March Mini SP 500 and Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Jump to a section in this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000
3. Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Support and Resistance Levels – March Corn, March Wheat, Jan Beans, March Silver
5. Economic Reports for Monday, December 12, 2011

 

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1. Market Commentary and Daily Mini S&P 500 Chart

Front month for equity indices is MARCH 2012

mini SP, mini Nasdaq, mini Russell, Mini Dow and few more are all March 2012

Symbol in most platforms for March mini SP is ESH2. Pay attention please!

One day FOMC meeting tomorrow. Statement will be released around 2:15 PM EST

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.

My observations suggest choppy, low volume up until announcement, followed by some some sharp volatile moves right during and after the announcement. However, with tomorrow early morning reports and recent volatility, we may see wild action through out.

One advice everyone can benefit from is, reduce your trading size in proportion to the increase in volatility. This should help your comfort level while in the day-trade.

Daily chart of March Mini SP 500 for your review below. Break below 1217 can trigger additional move down, break above 1255 can trigger additional move upside:

450 Continue reading “Daily Chart of the March Mini SP 500 and Support and Resistance Levels”

Cannon Futures Trading’s New YouTube Video | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Jump to a section in this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000
3. Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Economic Reports for Tuesday, December 6, 2011

 

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1. Market Commentary

The first video of a series of trading videos Cannon Trading is planning to produce is on the air!

If you have any specific topics you would like to see videos of, please email me.

The YouTube video is up and running on our channel:
Continue reading “Cannon Futures Trading’s New YouTube Video | Support and Resistance Levels”

TheTradeNews.com December 2011/January 2012 Outlook | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Jump to a section in this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000
3. Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Support and Resistance Levels – Corn, Wheat, Beans and Silver
5. Economic Reports for Monday, December 5, 2011

 

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1. Market Commentary – TheTradeNews.com December 2011/January 2012 Outlook

Act Now! Don’t Delay!

The past year has been characterized by a series of false starts that ended in successive failures to restore confidence in the economy and markets. The shaky global economy, battered by the 2008 financial swoon, kept trying to get up off the mat only to be clobbered again by prevaricating politicians who failed to lead us out of crisis and by a series of once-in-a-generation events, which never allowed markets to gain any traction. The Japan earthquake, the Arab Spring, the debt ceiling debacle in Washington, and round two of the Greek crisis cut short nascent rallies in confidence. The equal and opposite reaction has been a mounting pile of uncertainty, growing as fast as the debt levels in troubled economies.
The failure to restore confidence has led to subpar growth in the G7 which is starting to erode the Asian economic boom as well. Economists have trimmed growth expectations for this year and next, with many now predicting Europe is bound for recession, which could in turn drag the US into a double dip, and dent China which relies on Europe as its biggest export market.
In the face of these dark clouds gathering, political leaders are failing to act boldly on a global scale. Washington remains at loggerheads over the most meager deficit reduction plans, Beijing has only started to realize it may need to brace for a hard economic landing, and Brussels keeps putting off its day of reckoning by agreeing to “plans for a plan.” Central banks have papered over some of the politicians’ mistakes, but can only do so much. The global economy will continue to suffer and may even spiral lower if political leaders continue to kick the can down the road and don’t rally at this perilous moment to enact forceful strategies to restore confidence.
You can access the full article HERE Continue reading “TheTradeNews.com December 2011/January 2012 Outlook | Support and Resistance Levels”

Monthly Continuation Chart | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Jump to a section in this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000
3. Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Economic Reports for Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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As November is almost behind us, (tomorrow is the last trading day for November ) I thought it would be appropriate to share the mini SP monthly chart for a MUCH longer term picture.

I know most of the readers of this blog are day-traders by nature but it is always wise to have a view of different time frames.

Monthly chart below, along with some possible Elliott Wave counts as well as some Fibonacci retracement levels.

Also heads up, if you are trading GOLD, SILVER, BONDS and GRAINS, it is time to trade the March contract for these markets ( February Gold) as December is entering delivery period.

monthly continuation

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Thanksgiving Day Trading Schedule | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

 

Jump to a section in this post:
1. Market Commentary and Thanksgiving Day Trading Schedule
2. Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000
3. Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Support and Resistance Levels – Corn, Wheat, Beans, Silver
5. Daily Mini S&P Chart
6. Economic Reports for Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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Market Commentary and Thanksgiving Day Trading Schedule

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Make sure you pay attention to trading hours for both Thursday and Friday this week.

Detailed hours are below the chart.

As far as market outlook, my view last week came true and the question now is how far this sell off will continue.

From Nov. 17th blog: Bearish close today on stock index futures and as I mentioned yesterday, a break below 1204 on the Dec. SP 500 can trigger another leg down.

Thanksgiving Day Trading Schedule
Wednesday, November 23 Hours

CME Group (Floor)
Regular Close
NYMEX (Floor)
Regular Close
GLOBEX
Regular Close/Open
* Exceptions: Livestock, GSCI, Lumber, Crude Palm Oil, Weather, Grain, Ethanol and Dairy products
ICE
Regular Close/Open
EUREX
Regular Close
OneChicago
Regular Close
NYSE
Regular Close
Forex
Regular Close

Thursday, November 24 Hours

CME Group (Floor)
Closed
NYMEX (Floor)
Closed
GLOBEX
Closed: Livestock, GSCI, Lumber, Crude Palm Oil, Weather, Grain, Ethanol and Dairy products
10:30 am Close: Equity products
12:00 pm Close: Interest Rate, Foreign Exchange, Real Estate and Forestry products
12:15 pm Close: Green Exchange, NYMEX, COMEX and DME products
*Trading Resumes at the times listed below*
5:00 pm Open: Equity, Interest Rate, Foreign Exchange, Crude Palm Oil, Livestock, GSCI, Forestry, Weather, Real Estate, Green Exchange and NYMEX/COMEX/DME products
6:00 pm Open: CBOT/KCBT/MGEX Grain and Ethanol products
*Dairy products will remain closed until their regularly scheduled open on Sunday, November 27th
ICE
Closed: Soft and Open outcry products
10:30 am Close: Index products
12:00 pm Close: Financial products
EUREX
Closed: Hurricane Futures, US, Canadian and Brazilian Equity Derivatives (No cash payment in USD)
*All other products regular close
OneChicago
Closed
NYSE
Closed
Forex
Regular Close

Friday, November 25 Hours

CME Group (Floor)
Closed: Dairy
12:00 pm Close: Foreign Exchange, Interest Rates, Commodities, GSCI, Weather and Real Estate products
12:02 pm Close: CME Commodity options
12:15 pm Close: Equity products
12:30 pm Close: CBOT Mini-Grains
NYMEX (Floor)
12:30 pm Close
GLOBEX
Closed: Dairy products
12:00 pm Close: Agricultural, CBOT Grain futures & options, Ethanol, KCBT Grain, Forestry, Weather and GSCI products
12:02 pm Close: CME Commodity options
12:15 pm Close: Equity, Interest Rate, Foreign Exchange, Real Estate, MGEX Grain and KOSPI 200 products
12:30 pm Close: CBOT Mini-Grains
12:45 pm Close: Green Exchange and NYMEX/COMEX/DME products
ICE
11:45 Close: Open Outcry Soft products
12:00 Close: Soft and Open Outcry Financial products
12:15 Close: Financial, Index and Open Outcry Index products
EUREX
Regular Close
OneChicago
12:00 pm Close
NYSE
12:00 pm Close
Forex
Regular Close
*All times listed in Central Time
The above calendar is compiled from sources believed to be reliable. Cannon Trading assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. It is meant as an alert to events that may affect trading strategies and is not necessarily complete. The closing times for certain contracts may have been rescheduled.

Please visit CME at:

http://www.cmegroup.com/tools-information/holiday-calendar/files/2011-thanksgiving.pdf

and the ICE exchange at

https://www.theice.com/marketdata/calendar/CalendarList.shtml?calendar=Holiday&calendar=SpecialTradingHours&markets=ICE%20Futures%20Europe&markets=ICE%20Futures%20Canada&markets=ICE%20OTC&markets=ICE%20Futures%20U.S.&markets=ICE%20Trust%20U.S.&markets=ICE%20Clear%20Europe%20CDS Continue reading “Thanksgiving Day Trading Schedule | Support and Resistance Levels”

The Importance of the FOMC Minutes | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Jump to a section in this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000
3. Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Support and Resistance Levels – Corn, Wheat, Beans, Silver
5. Daily Mini S&P Chart
6. Economic Reports for Tuesday, November 22, 2011

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1. Market Commentary

Last week ( Thursday to be exact) I shared the same chart below with the sell signal if we can break 1204.50 ( The market was trading around 1215 at that time). Well we broke below and pretty much got the first target in one trading day.

Tomorrow we will have FOMC minutes, an important report which the market tends to react to or as I call it, “Market respects it”.

If the market breaks above 1204.50 after the minutes, we may see a relief from selling, on the other hand if the market reacts bearishly to the report than 1147.50 and 1120 are next targets.

divider black 190 Continue reading “The Importance of the FOMC Minutes | Support and Resistance Levels”

Monday Morning Support and Resistance Levels – November 21st 2011

Posted on by Ilan

Here’s a morning cup o’ joe for all you futures traders, our morning support and resistance levels. Good trading!

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Support and Resistance Levels – S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones, Mini Russell 2000, 30-Year US Bond, 10-Year US Note

Contract (Dec. 2011) Mini S&P 500 Mini Nasdaq 100 Dow Jones Mini Russell 2000 30-Year US Bond 10-Year US Note

Resistance Level 3

——————————————

Resistance Level 2

——————————————

Resistance Level 1

——————————————

Support Level 1

——————————————

Support Level 2

——————————————

Support Level 3

 1224.25 

1216.25

 

1213.25

 

1192.00

 

1185.50

 

1180.75

 2314 

2291

 

2266

 

2222

 

2218

 

2178

 1894 

11821

 

11740

 

11586

 

11570

 

11486

 735.2 

727.3

 

718.5

 

701.90

 

682.90

 

675.60

 14613 

14408

 

14329

 

14227

 

14209

 

14108

 13130 

13112.5

 

13100

 

13004.5

 

12919.5

 

12902

 

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Support & Resistance Levels for Gold, Silver. Copper, Crude Oil, Euro Currency, Dollar Index

Contract Dec.11 Gold Dec.11 Silver Dec.11 Copper Nov.11 Crude Oil Dec.11 Euro Currency Dec.11 Dollar Index

Support Level 3

——————————————

Support Level 2

——————————————

Support Level 1

——————————————

Resistance Level 1

——————————————

Resistance Level 2

——————————————

Resistance Level 3

 1681.2 

1698.6

 

1701.4

 

1725.1

 

1739

 

1751.5

 29.93 

30.21

 

30.88

 

32.08

 

32.72

 

33.28

 3.065 

3.077

 

3.303

 

3.413

 

3.473

 

3.526

 89.17 

94.59

 

95.61

 

97.55

 

98.57

 

99.49

 1.3142 

1.335

 

1.342

 

1.35

 

1.3543

 

1.3625

 0.7744 

0.7791

 

0.7818

 

0.7871

 

0.7887

 

0.7915
1224.25
1216.25
1213.25
1192.00
1185.50
1180.75

Measuring your Trading Progress | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

Jump to a section in this post:
1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels – S&P, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Russell 2000
3. Support and Resistance Levels – Gold, Euro, Crude Oil, T-Bonds
4. Economic Reports for Friday, November 18, 2011

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1. Market Commentary

Some weekend reading material by a colleague of mine, Jim Wyckoff:

10 Key Questions on Measuring Your Trading Progress, Success
At some point in nearly everyone’s trading timelines, they wonder how their trading successes (or failures) compare with those of other traders. Wondering just how well you stack up to other traders in the industry is a natural curiosity and a human psychological tendency. However, actually knowing the success or failure rates of others doesn’t do a lot to move you farther down the road of where you want to be regarding trading success.
Most traders also wonder about the success rates of the “professional” traders-the ones who make their living solely by the profits they generate from trading. I will provide you with an answer to this question at the end of this feature.
Below are 10 questions regarding measuring your own trading progress and success. These questions should help you determine where you stand in this challenging field of endeavor.
1. What is trading “success?” This is a most basic question. Most would agree that ultimate trading success is defined as being profitable at trading-making more money than you lose. There are other secondary factors that also define success in trading, such as finding a “balance” between trading and other life activities. But it’s being profitable at trading that is the benchmark of defining success. Continue reading “Measuring your Trading Progress | Support and Resistance Levels”

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.