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Different grains are traded on the Index, as commodities. Wheat, corn, soybeans, canola and soybean meal are just a few examples. They can be either a short-hedge or a long-hedge. One of the most traded grain futures is corn.
Basically, buying or selling these forms of futures enables the buyers and sellers to lock in prices of the specified grain today for the items that are to be delivered in the future. Therefore, all those who are interested in grains futures must track the performance of the grain on the demand and supply graph as well as its performance on the index. Though it is not tough to understand grains futures, the calculation of risk and returns is something that an average person may leave for an expert to do.
We at Cannon Trading are there to help you to not just understand the markets well, but to act as your personal advisors when it comes to trading futures. And, that’s something that applies for grain futures as well. However, information and awareness come before anything else. That is why, we want you to read through all of these blogs and articles carefully before you decide whether you want to trade grain futures or not.
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Introduced in April 1982 by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the S&P 500 Futures Contract represented a turning point in financial markets. Before its debut, traders had limited tools to hedge or speculate on the broader U.S. equity market. The S&P 500 index, comprising 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S., was already a key benchmark of market performance. By creating a derivative tied to the index, the CME provided traders and institutions with a liquid, leveraged way to manage risk or profit from market movements.
This new financial instrument quickly gained traction. Unlike individual stocks, S&P 500 Futures Contracts allowed participants to trade the entire market with a single position. It was a game-changer for portfolio managers, hedge funds, and individual traders alike.
Over the decades, the S&P 500 Futures Contract has undergone significant evolution. Initially, the contract was accessible only to institutional players with deep pockets. The margin requirements and notional value of the contract were high, making it impractical for smaller traders. However, the CME’s introduction of E-mini S&P 500 Futures in 1997 dramatically expanded accessibility.
These smaller contracts mirrored the original S&P 500 Futures Contract but with reduced notional value and margin requirements. Retail traders could now participate in the same market as institutional giants, leveling the playing field and increasing liquidity. The introduction of Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures in 2019 further democratized futures trading, enabling even smaller trades with minimal financial commitment.
Technological advancements have also played a significant role. The advent of electronic trading platforms in the late 1990s transformed the market, making trading faster, more transparent, and widely accessible. Today, traders around the globe execute futures SP trades with just a few clicks, relying on real-time data and advanced analytics to inform their decisions.
As we approach 2025, the S&P 500 Futures Contract remains a cornerstone of global financial markets. It serves three primary purposes:
In recent years, rising geopolitical tensions, pandemic-related economic shocks, and rapid technological innovation have contributed to heightened market volatility. This volatility has increased the appeal of S&P 500 Futures Contracts, as traders capitalize on swift market movements.
Looking ahead to 2025, several trends are likely to shape the future of the S&P 500 Futures Contract:
For traders looking to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the S&P 500 Futures Contract, choosing the right brokerage is critical. Cannon Trading Company stands out as a premier choice for several compelling reasons.
The S&P 500 Futures Contract offers unparalleled flexibility and potential. Whether you aim to hedge against market risk, speculate on short-term price movements, or diversify your portfolio, this contract is a powerful tool. Partnering with a trusted brokerage like Cannon Trading Company amplifies these advantages, ensuring that you have the resources, support, and technology needed to excel in futures trading.
Trading prowess often hinges on timing, knowledge, and execution. With Cannon Trading Company by your side, you can navigate the complexities of the S&P 500 Futures Contract with confidence, turning market challenges into opportunities for growth.
The journey of the S&P 500 Futures Contract is a testament to the innovation and resilience of global financial markets. From its inception in 1982 to its modern iterations, the contract has continually adapted to the needs of traders and investors. As we approach 2025, its relevance remains stronger than ever, promising new opportunities amid evolving market dynamics.
For traders seeking to unlock the full potential of S&P 500 Futures Contracts, partnering with an experienced and reputable brokerage like Cannon Trading Company is a winning strategy. With its stellar reputation, advanced tools, and commitment to client success, Cannon Trading Company is the ultimate ally for navigating the exciting world of futures trading.
For more information, click here.
Ready to start trading futures? Call us at 1(800)454-9572 – Int’l (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
The NQ futures contract, also known as the Nasdaq-100 futures contract or the E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contract, is a cornerstone of modern futures trading. Representing 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, this contract is highly favored for its liquidity, volatility, and utility in both speculative and hedging strategies. In this article, we delve into the origins, evolution, and impact of the NQ futures contract, exploring its top historical turning points, contract size evolution, hedging applications, and why Cannon Trading Company stands out as a premier choice among futures brokers.
At its inception, the Nasdaq-100 futures contract was designed with a larger notional value, making it suitable primarily for institutional investors. With the introduction of the E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contract, the size was reduced to 20 times the index’s value, significantly increasing accessibility.
Today, traders can choose from multiple contract sizes:
This tiered structure ensures that traders of all scales—from retail investors to institutional hedgers—can find a product that aligns with their risk tolerance and trading objectives.
The NQ futures contract is not just for speculation—it’s a powerful hedging tool. For investors with significant exposure to Nasdaq-listed equities, trading the NQ futures contract or its options can mitigate potential losses during market downturns.
Example 1: Protecting a Technology-Heavy Portfolio
Imagine an investor with a $500,000 portfolio heavily concentrated in technology stocks like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. If the investor anticipates a short-term decline in the tech sector, they can sell NQ futures contracts to offset potential losses. A single E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contract moves in $20 increments for each point change in the index, offering precise risk management.
Example 2: Using Options on NQ Futures
Options on the Nasdaq-100 futures contract provide additional flexibility. For example:
Options on E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contracts are particularly popular due to their smaller contract size and manageable margin requirements, making them an excellent tool for hedging Nasdaq exposure.
When trading Nasdaq-100 futures contracts, selecting the right futures broker is critical. Cannon Trading Company consistently earns accolades from traders for several compelling reasons:
The NQ futures contract has evolved from its origins as a tool for institutional hedging to a versatile instrument accessible to all levels of traders. From the introduction of the Nasdaq-100 index to the launch of Micro E-mini contracts, the product’s history is marked by innovation and adaptation to market needs. Today, the combination of diverse contract sizes, robust hedging applications, and user-friendly platforms makes the Nasdaq-100 futures contract a cornerstone of futures trading.
For those seeking a reliable futures broker to navigate this dynamic market, Cannon Trading Company stands out. With its free trading platform, 5-star TrustPilot ratings, experienced brokers, and commitment to regulatory excellence, Cannon Trading offers unparalleled support for traders of E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contracts and beyond. Whether hedging a portfolio or exploring speculative opportunities, partnering with a trusted broker like Cannon Trading ensures a seamless and rewarding trading experience.
For more information, click here.
Ready to start trading futures? Call us at 1(800)454-9572 – Int’l (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

In this issue:
Important Notices – Next Week Highlights:
The Week Ahead
By John Thorpe, Senior Broker
Time change, Clocks “Fall Back” 1 hour in U.S. Nov. 2nd, US Presidential Election Nov 5th, Fed Rate announcement (expectations are .25 cut), 3756 corporate earnings reports and a few Economic data releases. To wit, Market volatility could be very high next week.
Many clearing firms will be raising margins to protect from and for the undercapitalized in what could be extreme moves related to the US Election outcomes which may not be known for hours or days following poll closings Tuesday evening.
Tuesday is the 60th U.S. Quadrennial Presidential Election, Polls close @ 7:00 P.M. in each of the 4 time zones. (a recent Nevada Supreme Court Ruling allows un-postmarked mail-in ballots received within 3 days past the official poll closing may be counted)
Prominent Earnings this Week:
FED SPEECHES:
Big Economic Data week:
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Please click here to instantly view a PDF with Crude Oil outlook for the short, medium and long term.
With tensions in Middle East yoyoing…you may want o read and view the outlook provided by Artac Advisory!

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.
March Sugar
March sugar is attempting to break out of a bull flag formation. If successful, it would support a challenge of the September high and potentially the contract high from late 2023. At this point, new sustained highs would project a possible run to the third upside PriceCount objective to the 25.84 area.
PriceCounts – Not about where we’ve been , but where we might be going next!

With algorithmic trading systems becoming more prevalent in portfolio diversification, the following system has been selected as the broker’s choice for this month.
PRODUCT
NK – Nikkei 225
SYSTEM TYPE
Swing Trading
Recommended Cannon Trading Starting Capital
$50,000
COST
USD 165 / monthly




Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here
* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

In this issue:
Important Notices – Next Week Highlights:
The Week Ahead
Heavy Fed Speak Week, active data and a few earnings highlight the week ahead.
Light Earnings, by largest Market Cap
Fed Speak schedule
Big Economic Data week:
How to Rollover on the E-Futures Platform video below
All futures contracts have a minimum price fluctuation also known as a tick. Tick sizes are set by the exchange and vary by contract instrument.
E-min S&P 500 tick
For example, the tick size of an E-Mini S&P 500 Futures Contract is equal to one quarter of an index point. Since an index point is valued at $50 for the E-Mini S&P 500, a movement of one tick would be
.25 x $50 = $12.50
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil
The tick size of the NYMEX WTI Crude Oil contract is equal to 1 cent and the WTI contract size is 1,000 barrels. Therefore, the value of a one tick move is $10.
Tick sizes are defined by the exchange and vary depending on the size of the financial instrument and requirements of the marketplace. Tick sizes are set to provide optimal liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads.
The minimum price fluctuation for any CME Group contract can be found on the product specification pages.

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.
March 2025 Sugar
March sugar has shifted its formation back to the topisde and activated upside PriceCount objectives in the process. The chart accelerated to its first upside count to the 21.85 area. It would be normal to get a near term reaction form theis level in the form of a consolidation or corrective trdae. IF you can sustain further strength, the second count projects a possible run to the 23.26 area.
PriceCounts – Not about where we’ve been, but where we might be going next!

With algorithmic trading systems becoming more prevalent in portfolio diversification, the following system has been selected as the broker’s choice for this month.
PRODUCT
HG – Copper
SYSTEM TYPE
Day Trading
Recommended Cannon Trading Starting Capital
$25,000.00
COST
USD 150 / monthly

Trading Reports for Next Week



Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here
* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

A few tips for tomorrow:




Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here
* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

Powell spoke and stock index futures traded in a volatile, zig zag type of trading most of the day unable to break one way or the other and closing near the unchange.
On the daily chart, both the SP and NASDAQ are noticing more pressure to the downside.
One of the keys for day Traders is to try and establish early on what type of day trading environment they are in.
Is this going to be a trend day it is this going to be a choppy low volatility trading day? is the day unfolding has a potential to be a volatile two-sided type of trading day?
Being aware of the top of trading day that is unfolding in front of you can help you decide which strategies to apply on that trading day.
Knowing what reports are coming out. the general direction of the long term charts can help you.
Different strategies will work better in different type of trading environments.
On a different note, softs, i.e. Cocoa, cotton, Coffee , Sugar, OJ are experiencing much higher volatility than historical norms. Cocoa just dropped close to 8% today after trading above the historical mark of $100 per metric ton.
below you will see a daily chart of Coffee futures and possible future direction.




Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here
* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

This week we will see a number of fed speakers,
Tomorrow
Live @ 12:15CDT Link to Discussion With Jerome Powell we are providing this link for those that will watch the market and listen simultaneously
A bit of a departure from the usual Monday blog bites. The planting season in the northern hemisphere is under way so a quick review of the importance of Hedging follows:
How Important is Hedging for Farmers?
For farmers, especially those involved in producing commodities like wheat, corn, soybeans, and livestock, the prices of these products can fluctuate significantly due to various factors such as weather conditions, global demand, geopolitical events, and market speculation. These fluctuations can directly impact a farmer’s profitability and financial stability. Here’s why hedging is so important:



Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here
* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.

Important Notices –


Trading Reports for Next Week

Get access to proprietary indicators and trading methods, consult with an experienced broker at 1-800-454-9572.
Explore trading methods. Register Here

* 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 here in 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 judgement in trading.