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GDP: What It Is and What to Look for in the Upcoming Report; December Corn, Levels, Reports – The Important Facts to Keep in Mind When Trading Futures on September 25th, 2025

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Cannon Operations

GDP Explained

By Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker

Upcoming GDP Report: The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis will release the final report on U.S. GDP for Q2 (April–June) at 7:30 A.M. Central Time.
Previous Estimates: The first estimate showed 3.0% growth; the revised figure was 3.3%. Tomorrow’s release will be the final revision.
Quarterly Comparison: In Q1, real GDP decreased by 0.5%, making Q2’s growth a significant rebound.
GDP Definition & Components: GDP measures total economic output, calculated from four main components: consumer spending, business investment, government spending, and net exports.
Uses of GDP: Serves as an economic barometer for policy decisions, guides business and investment strategies, and enables international economic comparisons.

Keep an eye out for the last look at U.S. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for the second quarter of this year: April – June. At 7:30 A.M., Central Time the Commerce Department’s U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis will release its final report. The first, advanced look at the second quarter showed real GDP increased at an annual rate of 3.0 percent.

The bureau then released a revised, coincident figure of 3.3%. Tomorrow’s report will be the final revision, based on data gathered lately. In the first quarter, real GDP decreased 0.5 percent.

GDP

is a comprehensive measure of a nation’s economic output, indicating the total value of goods and services produced. It’s calculated by adding up the value of four main components:

Consumer Spending (Personal Consumption): Purchases of goods and services by households.

Business Investment: Spending by businesses on capital goods, like machinery and buildings.

Government Spending: Purchases of goods and services by the government at all levels.

Net Exports: The total value of exports minus the value of imports.

How GDP is Used

Economic Barometer: Governments and policymakers use GDP data to track the economy’s performance and inform decisions on fiscal and monetary policies.

Business and Investment Decisions: Investors and businesses closely monitor GDP growth to identify opportunities for investment and growth.

International Comparisons: GDP allows for the comparison of the relative size and strength of different economies worldwide.

December 25/26 Corn Spread

The Dec – Dec corn spread is trending higher and approaching a second upside PriceCount objective to the -34.75 area. It would be normal to get a near term reaction in the form of a consolidation or corrective trade from that level. IF the chart can sustain further strength, the third count would project a possible run to the -27.25 area.

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 Sept. 25th, 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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Gold continues its Breakout Amid Potential Gov. Shutdown, December Bean Oil, Hedging Strategies, Levels, Reports – The Important Must-Knows for Trading Futures on September 24th, 2025

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Movers and Shakers: Gold Breakout Meets Shutdown Risk: Hedging Strategies Explained

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

The U.S Governments’ fiscal year concludes at the end of the third quarter. Expect more volatility as we wait to see how traders bet on whether or not Congress can pass appropriations bills to keep the U.S. Government open for business. The Government, in the past, shut down most recently in 2018. Prior to that? 2013, 1995 and 1994. Gold prices rallied during the shutdowns in the past. But what if there is no shutdown?

Gold has been on the move since we had a breakup! (breakout to the upside) from the 5-month rangebound trade, ($3200-$3500) basis the December gold contract. Since September 2^nd, gold has rallied in 3 weeks over $300 per troy oz. to $3810.00, if your crystal ball had you long Gold and you want to protect your current gains, what follows are a few Ideas you can implement using futures options. Consult with your Cannon Trading broker (800 454 9572 or 310 859 9572) for clarity.

Calculate the size you will be hedging: Calculate the number of contracts as (Portfolio Value / Gold Price × 100 oz)). For a $760,000 long position at $3,800/oz, use ~2 contracts.

Strategy 1: Protective Put (Straightforward Downside Insurance)

Buy put options on gold futures to gain if gold prices fall, offsetting losses in your long position. This is ideal for strong bullish views but with short-term downside concerns.

Steps to Implement:

Assess Exposure: Determine your long position’s value.
Choose Strike and Expiration: Out-of-the-money (OTM) puts (e.g., 5-10% below current price, like $3,600 strike at $3,800 spot) for cheaper premiums; at-the-money (ATM) for fuller protection. Use 1-3 month expirations for flexibility.
Execute: Buy puts via a futures-approved broker (e.g., Cannon Trading). Premium: ~1-5% of notional (e.g., $500-$2,000 per contract at 20% implied vol).

Example:

Gold at $3,800; buy $3,600 put expiring in 2 months for $150/oz premium ($15,000/contract).
If gold drops to $3,400: Put worth ~$200/oz (intrinsic value), hedging $20,000 loss per contract in your long position.
If gold rises: Lose only the premium, but keep gains.

Pros: Retains unlimited upside; simple. Cons: Premium decays over time (theta); costly in low-vol environments.

Strategy 2: Collar (Low-Cost or Zero-Cost Hedge)

Buy a protective put and sell an OTM call to finance it. This caps upside but provides free/cheap downside protection—suitable for neutral to mildly bullish outlooks in volatile markets.

Steps to Implement:

Buy Put: OTM (e.g., $3,600 strike).
Sell Call: OTM above spot (e.g., $4,000 strike) with same expiration.
Match Sizing: Same number of contracts as your exposure.
Execute: Net premium near zero if call income matches put cost (adjust strikes for balance).

Example:

Buy $3,600 put ($150/oz premium); sell $4,000 call (collect $150/oz).
Net cost: $0.
Protection below $3,600; upside capped at $4,000 (may need to close if called away) Pros: Minimizes upfront cost; effective in sideways markets. Cons: Limits gains; potential assignment on calls.

Strategy 3: Bear Put Spread (Defined-Risk, Lower-Cost Protection)

Buy a higher-strike put and sell a lower-strike put for partial hedge at reduced cost. Best for moderate downside expectations without full insurance.

Steps to Implement:

Select Strikes: Buy ATM/OTM put (e.g., $3,800); sell further OTM (e.g., $3,400).
Expiration: 1-6 months.
Contracts: Match exposure.
Execute: Net debit = Long put cost minus short put premium (e.g., $200/oz debit = $20,000/contract).

Example:

Buy $3,800 put ($250/oz); sell $3,400 put (collect $50/oz). Net: $200/oz.
Max hedge benefit: $400/oz spread minus debit ($200/oz profit if gold < $3,400).
Limited protection to spread width.
Pros: Cheaper than naked puts; caps max loss. Cons: No protection below short strike; less flexible.

December Bean Oil

December soybean oil completed the first downside PriceCount objective to the 49 area where we are getting a reaction in the form of a potential spike reversal trade. At the point, if the chart can resume its break with the new sustained lows, the second count would project a possible slide in the 47 area.

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 Sept. 24th, 2025

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Economic Reports

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Silver and Gold Skyrocket to New Highs, November Soybeans – Your Guide for Trading Futures on September 23rd, 2025

Posted on September 22, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Silver and Gold Break Out: Expanding Your Trading Horizons

by Ilan Levy-Mayer, VP

Silver and Gold Break Out: Expanding Your Trading Horizons

silver

Silver and gold have recently hit fresh highs, reminding traders that opportunities (and risks) extend beyond traditional benchmarks like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite. These precious metals are reacting to macroeconomic shifts, inflationary pressures, and central bank policies, making them ideal candidates for diversification. Their continued momentum highlights that alternative markets are alive, well, and deserving of your attention.

Trading Strategies for Precious Metals, Gold & Silver

For traders accustomed to day trading equities, silver and gold move to a different beat. Consider these approaches:

Swing trading with technical indicators such as moving averages, RSI (Relative Strength Index), and Fibonacci retracements.
Breakout setups from consolidation zones or range-bound patterns to capture high-probability entries.
Trend-continuation patterns that let you ride sustained moves.
Options strategies—buying call options or options spreads on GC and SI—for leveraged exposure with defined risk.
Position trading over multi-week or multi-month horizons, driven by broader macro themes.

More Than Just Day Trading

The recent metals rally is a strong reminder that trading isn’t only about speed—it’s about choosing the right strategy. Whether you want to hedge existing positions, diversify your portfolio, or explore fresh setups, silver and gold offer compelling alternatives. At Cannon Trading, we encourage you to broaden your scope beyond tech stocks and futures scalps—sometimes, the real shine is in the metals.

Even if you are primarily a day trader, both gold and silver trade good volume on daily basis, enough for you to test and see if your day trading strategy translates well with the metals.

Contact our trading desk today to learn how we can help you integrate silver and gold into your strategies.

Nov. Soybeans

November beans satisfied the second downside PriceCount objective to the $10.19 area. It would be normal for the chart to react from this level with a near-term reaction in the form of a consolidation trade. If we can sustain further weakness, the third count would project a deeper slide to the $9.83 area, consistent with a test of the August low and extended uptrend.

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 Sept. 23rd, 2025

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Economic Reports

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Labor Department Reports, Non Farm Payroll, ADP, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Must-Knows for Trading Futures on September 4th, 2025

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Bullet Points, Highlights, Announcements

by Senior Broker, Mark O’Brien

Labor

General:

It’s that time of the month again: we’re a couple of days away from the Labor Dept.’s release of its monthly Non Farm Payrolls report – widely considered to be one of the most important and influential measures of the U.S. economy. The report is released at 7:30 A.M., Central Time on the first Friday of the month and measures the number of workers in the U.S. economy, excluding agricultural workers, and self-employed individuals.

More the usual, this month’s report looks to be a critical moment for traders and investors evaluating the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy in the coming months.

Again more than usual, attention will be on the revisions to the July non-farm payrolls data. Initial values for this year have been consistently downwardly revised, in part due to low response rates for the survey. The possibility of significant downward revisions could reveal more persistent labor market weakness than initially anticipated.

Ahead of that, tomorrow the ADP National Employment Report – jointly developed with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab – will show the latest snapshot of the private sector’s employment situation. While the ADP report has a poor record of predicting the Labor Dept.’s numbers – primarily because of each report’s differing means of collecting data – it.

Indexes:

Get ready for the availability of a brand-new S&P 500 stock index futures contract – and corresponding options. Starting Monday, September 22, CME Group will launch S&P 500 Month-End futures and options.

Each futures and options contract is sized at 100x the S&P 500 Index (each 1-point = $100) and expires at the index close every month, providing greater efficiency and flexibility to manage S&P 500 positions.

Now scale S&P 500 exposure with fewer contracts for greater operational efficiency and simplifying your hedging.

View the CME Group’s FAQs to learn more about trading hours, specifications and more.

Metals:

December gold set its latest all-time record high closing price yesterday: $3,592.20 per ounce, after a stout ±$76 rally. Today’s new all-time intraday high near $3,640.00 per ounce – another ±$45 rally – marks a whopping ±$280 per ounce rally in 10 trading days – going back to Aug. 20, a ±$28,000 per contract move!

Likewise, December silver closed yesterday at $42.06 per ounce, setting its own new all-time record high, a ±$4.25 per ounce move over the same 2-week span, a $21,250 per contract move.

Weekly Chinese Renminbi

The Weekly Chinese Renminbi activated upside PriceCount objectives this summer and now, the chart is taking aim at the first count to the .14150 area.

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 Sept. 4th, 2025

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December Gold, September’s First Notice/Last Trading Day, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on September 3rd, 2025

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Cannon Operations

GOLD

Welcome to the first day of the rest of the trading year.

by Senior Broker, John Thorpe

Below are the contracts which are entering First Notice or Last Trading Day for September.

Be advised, the contracts below are deliverable. It is requested that all LONG positions be exited two days prior to First Notice and ALL positions be exited the day prior to Last Trading Day.

Today, Stock indices corrected lower S&P at 6412.00 area as I write yet still trading above the 50-day SMA: my read is at 6357.75 down 60 points. The Dow down +/- 300 and the Nasdaq down +/- 220.00

if you are thinking about how to protect or better yet, hedge your exposure, you may want to read about some option basics that apply to all markets.

By the way Gold broke out of its summer range and is trading in the 3580.00 oz area basis the December contract. (breakout was above 3550.00)

The gold example below should provide the neophyte with the basics:

A reprint follows:

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 sell-offs 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.

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: JOLTS, Beige Book, (EIA Crude Stocks moved due to L-Day Weekend), 17-week Bill auction

FED: 8:00 am, Musalem. 12:30 pm Kashkari (non vtg mbr)

Earnings: SalesForce, Hewlett-Packard, DollarTree

Tariff news: Anything goes!

December Gold

December gold satisfied its second upside PriceCount objective and has been consolidating with a sideways trade since. At this point, IF the chart can resume its rally with new sustained highs, the third count would project a possible run to the 4,071 area.

Daily Levels for Sept. 3rd, 2025

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Gold Futures; Your 8 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Gold Futures

Posted on August 29, 2025August 25, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Gold Futures

gold futures

As the world shifts into the final half of 2025, investors and speculators alike are closely watching the gold futures market. Traditionally viewed as a hedge against inflation, economic instability, and geopolitical turbulence, gold continues to hold its place as a bedrock commodity in the global financial ecosystem. With the second and third trimesters of 2025 already underway, it’s crucial for traders to understand what might shape the gold futures price, what economic and geopolitical trends could drive volatility, and how trusted futures brokers—especially the seasoned professionals at Cannon Trading Company—can support your trading futures strategies.

This comprehensive analysis will provide a 360-degree look at the current and anticipated gold futures market conditions and offer a detailed case for why Cannon Trading Company, with its cannonx powered by cqg platform, reputation among futures brokers USA, and a deep bench of experienced advisors, is a powerful ally for anyone trading gold futures in the remaining months of 2025.

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The Gold Futures Market in 2025: Context and Trends

Economic Drivers of the Gold Futures Price

In 2025, the gold futures price has already shown considerable movement in response to multiple macroeconomic factors. As inflation remains persistent in both developed and emerging economies, central banks—particularly the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank—are maintaining a cautious approach to rate cuts. This sustained inflationary pressure has continued to support bullish trends in the gold futures market.

Furthermore, global debt levels have hit historic highs. Sovereign debt in the U.S., Japan, and EU nations has led to renewed concern about long-term fiscal sustainability, pushing institutional investors to consider gold futures as a safer store of value. As we move through the last two trimesters of 2025, these factors are expected to remain critical in shaping the gold futures price.

Geopolitical Uncertainty

With geopolitical hotspots persisting across the globe—from escalations in the Middle East to ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and the South China Sea—safe-haven demand for gold remains elevated. The market has seen periods of rapid gold futures price spikes following geopolitical flare-ups, reflecting its continued appeal during crises.

Analysts predict that the next six months could feature more of the same: short bursts of volatility driven by global events, keeping the gold futures market lively and unpredictable.

Central Bank Gold Buying

Central banks, particularly in emerging markets such as China, Russia, and India, have significantly increased their gold reserves in the first trimester of 2025. This trend is expected to continue through the end of the year, potentially tightening supply and providing upward momentum for the gold futures price.

Technical Forecasts: What Traders Can Expect in H2 2025

Resistance and Support Levels

Based on current technical indicators and historical trends, analysts are watching key resistance levels near $3475.00 and $3550.00 per ounce. Strong support zones are holding near $3250.00 and $3300.00. As long as futures brokers see the gold market respecting these technical levels, range-bound trading strategies and momentum breakouts will likely remain viable.

Market Sentiment Indicators

The Commitment of Traders (COT) report for July 2025 shows a growing net-long position among commercial hedgers, signaling increasing bullish sentiment. Retail traders are advised to pay close attention to these sentiment shifts, particularly as trading futures becomes more algorithmically driven.

Volatility Expectations

As economic and political uncertainties mount, implied volatility for gold futures options has surged. This signals a potential for larger-than-average price swings, making risk management tools and broker expertise critical. Reliable future brokers can offer the analytics and risk control features necessary to navigate this environment.

Strategic Approaches to Gold Futures Trading in Late 2025

Short-Term Speculation with High Liquidity Instruments
Instruments like the GC (COMEX Gold Futures) and MGC (Micro Gold Futures) offer high liquidity, making them ideal for intraday traders and swing traders.
Hedging Portfolio Risk
Asset managers and institutional investors often use gold futures to hedge equity exposure. As volatility persists in tech-heavy stock indexes, gold remains a preferred counterweight.
Long-Term Inflation Hedge
Investors betting on continued inflationary pressure may hold longer-dated gold futures contracts or use spreads to capture expected appreciation in gold prices over time.
Algorithmic and Quantitative Trading
With platforms like CannonX powered by CQG, quantitative traders can program and execute highly complex trading futures strategies for gold based on real-time analytics and back-tested models.

Why Cannon Trading Company is a Leading Choice for Gold Futures Traders

When evaluating futures brokers USA or anywhere else globally, several key criteria stand out: experience, platform diversity, regulatory integrity, and customer satisfaction. Cannon Trading Company meets and exceeds these benchmarks, making it a top choice among the best futures brokers for gold futures trading in 2025.

Decades of Experience

Founded over 35 years ago, Cannon Trading has consistently maintained its position among the most trusted futures brokers in the United States. Their longevity speaks to their adaptability, insight, and client-first philosophy. In a world of ever-evolving market structures, having an experienced futures broker can be a game-changer.

5-Star TrustPilot Ratings

Across the board, Cannon Trading boasts an impressive array of five out of five-star reviews on TrustPilot, with clients highlighting their quick response times, deep market knowledge, and outstanding support. This reflects a true commitment to the trader’s experience—an asset that cannot be overstated, especially when managing the complexities of trading futures like gold.

Regulatory Reputation

Cannon Trading enjoys an exemplary standing with both federal and independent futures industry regulators. As a registered Introducing Broker with the CFTC and a member of the NFA, Cannon ensures that its practices are fully compliant, transparent, and centered on ethical trading. This reputation puts it in a league with only the best futures brokers.

CannonX Powered by CQG

The firm’s proprietary CannonX powered by CQG trading platform combines the power of CQG’s robust charting, execution, and data capabilities with Cannon’s tailored futures brokerage services. This platform is especially powerful for gold futures traders who need advanced tools for technical analysis, one-click execution, and seamless access to market data.

With CannonX, traders can also set up custom alerts, use multiple order types, and integrate their strategies with a wide variety of APIs. It’s built to serve everyone from the retail trader exploring gold futures for the first time to the institutional trader managing large-scale hedging operations.

Try a FREE Demo!

Wide Range of Trading Platforms

Beyond CannonX, Cannon Trading offers access to a suite of top-performing platforms including:

This level of platform diversity ensures that clients can tailor their trading futures experience to their exact preferences, strategy needs, and risk tolerance.

Try a FREE Demo!

Gold Futures: Risk Management and the Broker Advantage

Managing Leverage Effectively

One of the most critical factors in gold futures trading is leverage. While it allows for significant profit potential, it also increases the risk of outsized losses. Future brokers like Cannon Trading educate clients on proper margin usage, capital allocation, and stop-loss strategies.

Access to Market Intelligence

Cannon’s clients benefit from daily market commentary, strategy webinars, and bespoke market research. This intelligence provides an edge in an environment where speed and information are critical.

Personalized Broker Support

Unlike many large firms where traders are little more than account numbers, Cannon offers access to seasoned futures broker specialists who can guide clients through strategy execution, order placement, and risk mitigation. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned professional, personalized support makes a tangible difference.

Gold Futures in H2 2025: Bullish or Bearish?

Based on the confluence of economic indicators, investor sentiment, and central bank behavior, the last two trimesters of 2025 are expected to lean bullish for gold futures. Key themes supporting this outlook include:

Continued inflationary pressures
Political instability in several regions
Slower-than-expected rate cuts
Aggressive central bank gold purchases
Elevated market volatility driving demand for safe-haven assets

Still, traders must remain vigilant. The high level of volatility and frequent news-driven price shocks demand tight execution, robust risk management, and a reliable brokerage partner.

Cannon Trading Company—Your Best Ally in Gold Futures Trading

In a market as dynamic and consequential as gold futures, having the right partner is as important as having the right strategy. Cannon Trading Company is not just one of the best futures brokers—they are a full-spectrum solutions provider for those trading gold futures, offering:

Decades of industry-leading experience
Best-in-class platforms like CannonX powered by CQG
Five-star client satisfaction ratings on TrustPilot
Regulatory excellence
A handpicked team of experienced futures brokers
Unparalleled support and strategic insight

Whether you’re hedging, speculating, or diversifying, Cannon Trading Company is uniquely equipped to support your goals in the gold market. If you’re evaluating future brokers as we close out 2025, there’s simply no better choice.

Try a FREE Demo!

Ready to start trading futures? Call us at 1(800)454-9572 (US) or (310)859-9572 (International), or email info@cannontrading.com to speak with one of our experienced, Series-3 licensed futures brokers and begin your futures trading journey with Cannon Trading Company today.

Disclaimer: Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involve substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Carefully consider if 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.

Important: Trading commodity futures and options involves a substantial risk of loss. The recommendations contained in this article are opinions only and do not guarantee any profits. This article is for educational purposes. Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.

This article has been generated with the help of AI Technology and modified for accuracy and compliance.

Follow us on all socials: @cannontrading

Markets post-Friday Surge, November Beans, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Crucial, Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on August 26th, 2025

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Markets Ease After Friday’s Surge

market

Markets

Markets softened slightly today following Friday’s powerful rally. The pullback appeared largely rotational, with the Dow Jones showing more weakness than the Nasdaq, which held up relatively well.

Trading volume was notably light, suggesting a lack of strong conviction behind the selling. This kind of action often reflects profit-taking or sector rotation rather than a shift in broader sentiment.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s open momentum could shift quickly in these conditions.

Contracts to Track

Days like today are a good reminder for traders to track and monitor other markets such as crude oil, gold, coffee and markets like the beans, featured below as a hot market.

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

November Beans

November beans negated the unmet downside PriceCounts and activated upside objectives with last week’s rally. The chart must first contend with overhead at this year’s highs before potentially taking aim at the fresh counts.

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 26th, 2025

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Economic Reports

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

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Cannon Operations

FOMC Minutes Tomorrow & Gold Bear Put Spread Insight

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

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.

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:

Sell the put at a profit, or
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.

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

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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Volatility, Trillion $ Earnings, Non-Farm Payrolls, September Emini S&P, Levels, Reports; Your 7 Expert Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures the week of July 28th, 2025

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Cannon Operations

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Cannon Futures Weekly Letter

In Today’s Issue #1251

The Week Ahead – Trillion $ Earnings, Non-Farm Payrolls & More!
Futures 101 – Building a Trading Plan
Hot Market of the Week – September Emini S&P
Broker’s Trading System of the Week – Platinum Swing Trading System
Trading Levels for Next Week
Trading Reports for Next Week

Important Notices: The Week Ahead

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

volatility

Volatility

The Week Ahead,

More Trillion-dollar market cap companies to report Q2 earnings, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Meta and Berkshire Hathaway, Nonfarm Payrolls and Fed Interest Rate decision followed by presser with Chair Powell on Wednesday.

Subdued Volatility, from the geopolitical front for the moment, let us hope it remains that way. 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 7 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. Watch for the gold market to maintain its rangebound stance, close below 3350 (basis December)or above 3500 should denote a breakout, Begin trading the December(Z) contract next week.

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

Earnings Next Week:

Mon. Quiet
Tue. United Healthcare, UPS, Merck, P&G
Wed. MSFT, Berkshire Hathaway, Qualcomm
Thu. AMZN, Mastercard, S&P global.
Fri. Chevron

FED SPEECHES: (all times CDT)

Mon. Quiet
Tues. Quiet
Wed. 1 pm central; Fed Rate Decision, Powell presser 1:30 pm CDT
Thu. Quiet
Fri. Quiet

Economic Data week:

Mon. Dallas Fed,
Tue. Retail inventories, Redbook, Case-Schiller Home PX, Jolts,
Wed. ADP employment change, GDP, Pending home Sales, EIA Crude Stocks, Fed Rates
Thur. Jobless claims, Core PCE, Initial Claims, CHGO PMI, EIA NAT GAS Storage, K. City Fed Activity index
Fri. Non-Farm Payrolls, ISM manufacturing, Mich. Consumer Sentiment

Building a Trading Plan

“He who fails to plan is planning to fail” -Winston Churchill

Traders who win consistently treat trading as a business. While there is no guarantee that you will make money, developing a trading plan is crucial if you want to become consistently successful and thrive in the trading game. Every trader—no matter your experience—needs a plan.

Why are you here?

You want to know what constitutes a trading plan
You realize you need a trading plan
You want to be successful at futures trading

You’re in the right place for any those objectives. At the end of this course, you’ll understand why you need a trading plan and how to build one to support your success as a futures trader.

What is a trading plan?

A trading plan is a business plan for your trading career. Like any business plan, a trading plan is a working document in which you make assumptions about projected costs, revenues, and business conditions. Some of your assumptions may be right, some will surely be wrong. You wouldn’t start a business without a business plan, so why would you start trading without a trading plan?

The real value in writing a trading plan is that it forces you to think about every part of your trading business, including confronting your strengths and weaknesses, and formulating reasonable expectations.

Any solid trading plan consists of the following five components. There are no shortcuts to developing a trading plan that will support your objectives. Take the time now to think about each of these components thoroughly and you will thank yourself later.

Objective
Methodology
Risk Management
Trading Strategies
Trader Log

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

September Emini S&P

September Emini S&P has broken out into a new contract high. The rally is approaching its second upside PriceCount objective to the 6479 area where it would be normal to get a near term reaction in the form of a consolidation or corrective trade.

Brokers Trading System of the Week

Swing5 Cont v.22 _ Platinum PL

Markets Traded: Platinum Futures PL

System Type: Swing Trading

Risk per Trade: varies

Trading Rules: Partially Disclosed

Suggested Capital: $60,000

Developer Fee per contract: $150 Monthly Subscription

Get Started

Learn More

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.

Would you like to get weekly updates on real-time, results of systems mentioned above?

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Trading Levels for Next Week

Daily Levels for July 28th, 2025

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Trading Reports for Next Week

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

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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

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Cannon Operations

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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.

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.

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

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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GDP Explained

By Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker

GDP

How GDP is Used

December 25/26 Corn Spread

Daily Levels for Sept. 25th, 2025

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Movers and Shakers: Gold Breakout Meets Shutdown Risk: Hedging Strategies Explained

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

Strategy 1: Protective Put (Straightforward Downside Insurance)

Steps to Implement:

Strategy 2: Collar (Low-Cost or Zero-Cost Hedge)

Strategy 3: Bear Put Spread (Defined-Risk, Lower-Cost Protection)

December Bean Oil

Daily Levels for Sept. 24th, 2025

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Economic Reports

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Silver and Gold Break Out: Expanding Your Trading Horizons

by Ilan Levy-Mayer, VP

Silver and Gold Break Out: Expanding Your Trading Horizons

Trading Strategies for Precious Metals, Gold & Silver

More Than Just Day Trading

Contact our trading desk today to learn how we can help you integrate silver and gold into your strategies.

Nov. Soybeans

Daily Levels for Sept. 23rd, 2025

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Economic Reports

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Bullet Points, Highlights, Announcements

by Senior Broker, Mark O’Brien

Labor

General:

Indexes:

Metals:

Weekly Chinese Renminbi

Daily Levels for Sept. 4th, 2025

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GOLD

Welcome to the first day of the rest of the trading year.

by Senior Broker, John Thorpe

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

December Gold

Daily Levels for Sept. 3rd, 2025

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Economic Reports

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Gold Futures

The Gold Futures Market in 2025: Context and Trends

Technical Forecasts: What Traders Can Expect in H2 2025

Strategic Approaches to Gold Futures Trading in Late 2025

Why Cannon Trading Company is a Leading Choice for Gold Futures Traders

Gold Futures: Risk Management and the Broker Advantage

Gold Futures in H2 2025: Bullish or Bearish?

Markets Ease After Friday’s Surge

Markets