4 Timely Lessons from the Week’s Sharpest Index Futures Decline, May Meal, Non Farm Payroll

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Index Futures

index futures 2

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Extreme Volatility

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Non Farm Payroll Tomorrow

non farm payroll

By Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker

As of this typing stock index futures and other futures contracts (but particularly index futures) have experienced single-day downward moves not seen in years:

Index Futures

index futures

→ E-mini Dow Jones: down ±1,600 points / 3.7%

→ E-mini S&P 500: down ±260 points / 4.5%

→ E-mini Nasdaq: down ±1,025 points / 5.1%

→ E-mini Russell 2000: down ±128 points / 6.2%

With tomorrow ushering in the Labor Dept.’s release of its monthly Non-farm payrolls report and the furtherance of what looks to be the beginning of a global trade war, expect no drop-off in market volatility.

Index Futures

Traders not only need to be extra cautious in making trading decisions, it’s also important to be aware of important aspects of the markets they’re trading.

Key among these are the daily price limits of the markets you’re trading. A price limit is the maximum price range permitted for a futures contract in each trading session. When markets hit the price limit, different actions occur depending on the product being traded.

Index Futures

Some markets may temporarily halt until price limits can be expanded or trading may be stopped for the day based on regulatory rules. Different futures contracts will have different price limit rules; i.e. Equity Index futures have different rules than Agricultural futures.

Price limits are re-calculated daily and remain in effect for all trading days (except in certain physically-deliverable markets, where price limits are lifted prior to expiration so that futures prices are not prevented from converging on prices for the underlying commodity).

Index Futures

Equity Indexes futures have a three level expansion: 7%, 13% and 20% to the downside, and a 7% limit up and down in overnight trading.

Follow the links below to the CME Group web site to find more information on price limits generally and specific price limits for the markets you’re trading:

Find daily price limits for CME Group Agricultural, Cryptocurrency, Energy, Equity Index, Interest Rates, and Metals products: click here.

Index Futures

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May Meal

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May meal has resumed its break into fresh contract lows. The chart is approaching its second downisde PriceCount objective in the $287 area where it would be normal to get a near term reaction in the form of a consolidation or corrective trade. IF we can sustain further weakness, there is a third count near $249 although we’d first have to contend with formidable weekly chart support in the $280 area.

That’s May Meal

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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 April 4th, 2025

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Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time (New York)

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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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Confident Outlook for First Notice & Last Trading Days: 2 Strategic Exit Dates and a Bullish Setup for Treasury Traders

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First Notice & Last Trading Day

first notice

Below are the contracts which are entering

First Notice / Last Trading

 For April.

Be advised, for contracts that 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.

First Notice & Last Trading Day

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Try MICRO Grains, grain futures and many other futures with our REALTIME state of the art FREE platform! 

FREE DEMO HERE

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That’s all for

First Notice & Last Trading

Days

June 10 Year Treasury Notes

June 10 year treasury notes satisfied a first upside PriceCount objective last month and spent time consolidating with a sideways trade. Now, the chart is attempting to resume its rally where new sustained highs would project a possible run to the second count in the 113^26 area.

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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 April 3rd, 2025

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Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time (New York)

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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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Significant Surge? 113^26 Target Looms as Treasury Notes Eye Bullish Breakout, Micro Grains

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Trump Speaks Tomorrow

During Market Hours!

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Treasury Notes, Micro Grains

treasury notes

 

Tomorrow should be another volatile day!

With Trump speaking, Fed speaker, ADP weekly claims and crude oil inventories – we suspect the current volatility will continue.

On a different note – MICRO GRAINS are available

MICRO GRAINS

micro grains 3

After the first three weeks of trading, we are approaching just under a half million Micro Grains contracts traded for Micro Corn, Micro Soybean, Micro Soybean Oil, Micro Soybean Meal, and Micro Wheat, as well as some other quick hits below.

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Try MICRO Grains, grain futures and many other futures with our REALTIME state of the art FREE platform!

FREE DEMO HERE

June 10 Year Treasury Notes

June 10 year treasury notes satisfied a first upside PriceCount objective last month and spent time consolidating with a sideways trade. Now, the chart is attempting to resume its rally where new sustained highs would project a possible run to the second count in the 113^26 area.

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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 April 2nd, 2025

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Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time (New York)

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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 Soars, Wheat Shrinks: 7 Powerful Stats from a Wild Trading Day

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Turbulence in Equities & Commodities

Gold & Wheat, Emini S&P COTD

Buckle your seatbelts, Turbulence in equities and Commodities

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

Please speak with your broker about ways that you may not be aware of to assist you with your risk management plans. They may surprise you with the creative solutions you may find more efficient than simple stop orders or the old “hand on the mouse blow yourself out” strategy.

Wheat

wheat

Why the turbulence in the Grain markets? USDA prospective plantings report was revealed, although largely in line with expectations, it’s a surprise that planted acres are down for soybeans, wheat and 12% lower for cotton while farmers are switching out of beans and planting corn instead, as seed and fertilizer costs are lower for these compliments in production.

Wheat for all winter varieties planted is the second smallest crop since records have been kept from 1919. The weather market begins now in earnest for the Wheat complex for the next 8 weeks.

    Market volatility is here to stay for the foreseeable future

Choose your opportunities wisely.

 What in the world was going on with equity prices today, first the big dump was attributed to Liberation Tariff Day, coined by the media, only to see the markets stage a brave comeback against all talking point odds! Was this merely a technical correction? Or a combination of oversold and some positive tariff news?

 Mini Dow’s range today? 786 points $value? = $3930.00 from hi to lo

  Mini S & P’s range today? 111.25 points $ Value? = $5562.50 from hi to lo

Mini Nasdaq’s range today? 439 points $value? = 8785.00 from hi to lo

How Gold is your Portfolio?

Gold

gold nugg

All-time highs in gold today. 3162.00 per troy gold ounce currently trading @ 3155.00 + over $40.00 per gold oz. yet the industrial metals were negative today, Dr. Copper and Silver. We offer all exchange traded contract sizes, from 1 oz to 100 ounces.

Secondary tariffs on Russian oil talk had the Crude oil futures up over $2 per bbl safely above the $70.00 /bbl price level.

Tomorrow:

Econ Data:  Redbook, ISM Mfg. Final, JOLTS, Dallas Fed.

FED Speak: Quiet

Earnings: Quiet

Tariff news: Anything goes!

June Emini S&P

The June Emini S&P corrected after it fompleted its second downside PriceCount objective earlier this month. Now, the chart has resumed its slide into a new low which, if sustained, would project a run to the third count in the 5371 area.

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Emini

Chart above 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

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 April 1st, 2025

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Economic Reports

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All times are Eastern Time (New York)

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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.

Call Now

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FOMC: Shocking Decision Just Sent Gold Soaring: 3 Big Reasons Why

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Market Highlights

by Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker

The Day After FOMC

fomc

FOMC Meeting Update  

The FOMC left interest rates unchanged today.  In language newly added to its policy statement, “Uncertainty around the economic outlook has increased.”  Surveys of consumers and businesses, corporate earnings, and financial markets, albeit “soft data,” have suggested that the economic ground may be shifting beneath our feet.  Last Friday, the University of Michigan’s preliminary survey of consumer sentiment for March sank for the third straight month, showing sharply lower expectations for the future – regardless of respondents’ party affiliations.  Warnings have percolated from airlines and retailers, i.e. Dollar General and Walmart, about underwhelming consumer demand.  Outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas announced layoffs reached their highest levels since the summer of 2020, when the pandemic was in full force — and the highest level for the month of February since 2009. That’s all for the FOMC for now.

Metals:

Gold prices edged higher to hover near all-time highs on the heels of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s post announcement press conference.

Daily Levels for March 20th, 2025

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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 Surges to All-Time Record High of $3040 – 5 Key Signals, 7 Volatility Triggers Before the FOMC Decision

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Movers & Shakers – GOLD

by John Thorpe, Senior Broker

gold nugg

 

Movers and Shakers:  FOMC Meeting Tomorrow @ 1:00PM CDT

    Market volatility is here to stay for the foreseeable future

Choose your opportunities wisely. Prepare for shocks on the tomorrow FOMC Rate decision but, more importantly, expect a roller coaster during the Chairman’s statement and Q and A 30 minutes to follow.

How gold is your portfolio? 

All time highs in Gold today. 3040.00 per troy ounce of Gold. We have all contract sizes, from 1 oz to 100 ounces of Gold.

Today was a subdued trading day for almost all of the high-volume products we trade compared to the past 30 days or so.

Waiting for FOMC rate decision?

GOLD

Here were today’s top headlines.

Updated: March 18, 2025 7:32 am

US Housing Starts and Building Permits Headline Recap

**US February Housing Starts: +11.2% to 1.501 mln units annualized rate; expected +1.0% to 1.38 mln

**US February Building Permits: -1.2% to 1.456 mln unit annualized rate; expected -2.2% to 1.45 mln

Updated: March 18, 2025 8:17 am

Federal Reserve US Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization Headline Recap

**Federal Reserve February US Industrial Production: +0.7%; expected +0.3%

**Federal Reserve February US Capacity Utilization: +0.5% to 78.2; expected 77.8%

**Federal Reserve January US Industrial Production revised: +0.3%; prior +0.5%

  • **Federal Reserve January US Capacity Utilization revised: 77.7%; prior 77.8%

Daily Levels for March 19th, 2025

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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 Surges to Record $2,974: Powerful Trends & Market Shifts in This Month’s Report

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Monthly Micro

Gold, Silver and Copper

Markets Report

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Highlights in this issue include:

  • Gold prices reach new high of $2,974/oz amid tariff fears and a weaker USD.
  • Silver prices down 2.4% MoM: weaker industrial demand concerns persist.
  • Copper prices gain 1.8% MoM, the third consecutive month of growth despite tariff uncertainty.
  • Micro Gold futures saw 21% MoM growth in February.

1-Ounce Gold futures see strong start: ADV reached 8,144 contracts in February.

READ FULL REPORT

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Daily Levels for March 18th, 2025

JUNE levels for stock index futures will be sent out tomorrow morning around the cash open!

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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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Currency & Stock Index Futures: Avoid Costly Mistakes with these 3 Critical Deadlines

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Cannon Futures Weekly Letter

In Today’s Issue #1234

  • Rollover
  • The Week Ahead – FOMC, Housing
  • Futures 102 – Can you handle Drawdowns??
  • Hot Market of the Week – May KC/ Chi Wheat Spread
  • Broker’s Trading System of the Week – NQ intraday System
  • Trading Levels for Next Week
  • Trading Reports for Next Week

currency

Currencies Last Trading Day & Stock Index rollover

Time to start trading June Stock Index futures like MESM25 and MNQM25.

Symbol for June is M.

Monday, March 17th is Last Trading Day for all currency futures contracts, except the Canadian Dollar (Last Trading Day for the Canadian Dollar is Tuesday, March 18th). Currency futures contracts are DELIVERABLE CONTRACTS. You need to exit ALL LONG and SHORT open positions or be required to deliver or take delivery of the ACTUAL NOMINAL VALUE of the respective futures contract, i.e. $12,500 Euros, or $12,500,000 Japanese Yen. DO NOT put your account is this position. Exit all March ‘25 currency futures. Start trading currency futures with the June ’25 futures contracts.

Friday, March. 21st is Last Trading Day for March stock index futures contracts, i.e., the E-mini S&P, E-mini NASDAQ, E-mini Dow Jones and their Micro relatives. These futures contracts will halt trading at 8:30 A.M., Central Time and are cash settled, meaning any remaining open positions will be offset/settled using a to-be-determined settlement price. It is recommended that all new positions be placed in the June ‘25 futures contracts as of this Sunday night’s opening of trading. Volume in the March ‘25 contracts will begin to drop off until their expiration Friday, March. 21th.

Important Notices: The Week Ahead

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

FOMC Week!

Indices traders roll to June, —M25

The Senate will vote today on a continuing resolution spending bill to keep the govt. open until Sept. 30. It must be on the Presidents desk by 11:59 pm EST to avoid a shut down, This may occur during market hours or after.

More volatility to come as next week all markets will be reacting to the potential for tariff implementations creating uncertainty in the marketplace. Therefore, increased volatility expectations.

Highlights next week will include Housing Data as well as the Wednesday Rate decision. Earnings reports continue to dwindle with 271 total reports while we are in the top of the 9th inning of earnings season, the reports will be impacting the indices much less than in past weeks Highlighted by many Chinese corp. reports. Finally, for Indices traders, contract rollover Monday. June will become the front month. M25. If you are on the new StoneX Platform, click on your current month tab at the top of your DOM or HOT to open the menu. Then slide down to Replace, now type in EPM25 if you are trading the Mini-S&P or ENQM25 for the Mini Nasdaq.

Earnings Next Week:

  • Mon. Quiet
  • Tue. Quiet
  • Wed. Tencent
  • Thu. Micron, Nike
  • Fri. Quiet

FED SPEECHES:

  • Mon.     Fed Blackout period
  • Tues.     Fed Blackout Period persists
  • Wed.     Fed Rate Decision 3/19/25 Chair Powell will Speak, 30 minutes after the rate decision.
  • Thu.      Last day of Fed Blackout period
  • Fri.       Williams 8:05 am CDT

Economic Data week:

  • Mon. Empire State Mfg., NAHB Housing Market Index
  • Tue. Bldg. Permits, Housing Starts, Redbook, Industrial Production
  • Wed. EIA Crude Stocks, FOMC I.R. Decision 1:00 pm followed by Fed Presser 1:30 pm CDT
  • Thur. Initial Jobless Claims, Philly Fed, Existing Home Sales, EIA Nat Gas
  • Fri Quiet

Futures 102: System Traders: Can you handle the drawdowns?

Many investors may think, “I can handle drawdown”, but honestly you have no idea how much drawdown you can handle until you have been stuck in the eye of a number of your own personal drawdown storms.

While drawdown is a natural part of trading and investing, what does differ is how much drawdown each investor can mentally handle. As humans, we all ‘see’ the world differently. What appears as something normal to one person can appear completely disastrous to another. While a 10% portfolio drawdown could be extreme for one investor, the next investor may be able to trade through periods of 50% plus drawdown.

From the behavioral finance point of view, some of the main negative facts of the human brain related to trading are:

  1. The fact that weak traders tend to be reluctant to realize losses and quick to realize gains. They are more risk averse when dealing with profitable positions and more risk seeking when dealing with losses.
  2. The fact that weak traders make inconsistent and irrational economic decisions over the same scenario depending on how it is described.
  3. The fact that weak traders deals with positions as if they were expecting mean reversion of prices. They are expecting the price to return to a long term average. This is the principle that makes them think they are buying expensive positions on volatility breakout or trend following strategies.

It is out of the scope of this article to talk much more about this science, but I will just point that:

  1. Weak traders know nothing about behavioral finance, so they think that his gut feeling is right and base their decisions on his gut feeling.
  2. Smart traders knows about behavioral finance. A smart trader has already studied about this and trained himself to overcome this limitations.  At least they know how to deal with their brain to avoid most of the damage it can create on their trading accounts. The best traders knows even how to monetize from this herd behavior.

Are drawdown periods a bad thing?

 

In my opinion, they are not a bad thing, in fact I believe that drawdown periods are a very sane and good thing for any solid strategy. Drawdown periods are very efficient to shake out weak traders from the strategy while smarter traders can pick up their money (which is the name of the game after all).

The time that passes since the first equity high until we reach a new equity high is the drawdown period.

So a drawdown period has two dimensions:

  • The drawdown depth
  • The drawdown length

Most people mostly care about the drawdown depth as this is what is easier to see on back tests. But human the brain is much more affected by drawdown length. During live trading, it is easier to deal with a 10% drawdown for one week than with a 5% drawdown for five months.

  • Detailed statistical information about the strategy: Expected profit, expected drawdown, maximal drawdown depth and length, average win percentage, reward to risk ratio, …
  • Different scenarios and the actions to take (if any): intense and/or deep drawdown periods and what to do (or do nothing), whether to trade during Christmas time or summer time, whether to keep opened positions during weekends or not, what to do after a losing year (or do nothing), funding and withdrawing plan, …
  • A very clear worst case scenario: it is basically the “line in the sand” where we know that the strategy has lost it’s edge and something must be done (stop trading the strategy, adapting parameters, …). There are many ways to calculate it (double the max historical drawdown, using montecarlo simulations, using regression lines multiplied by x times the standard deviation on the equity curve, …). In the end it is a number. The important thing is to have it written in the trading plan.

When facing a problem that generates pain or panic such as a sudden deep drawdown, most of the time, when analyzed with rigor and care, the problem is not so important, and everything is within expected statistics. You will see that there were many periods in the past with similar characteristics.

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

May KC – Chicago Wheat Spread

The KC-Chicago wheat spread has resumed its rally into a new high. If the chart can sustain further strength, the second upside PriceCount projects a possible run to the 32-cent area.

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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.

Brokers Trading System of the Week

With algorithmic trading systems becoming more prevalent in portfolio diversification, the following system has been selected as the broker’s choice for this month.

Intra Nasdaq

PRODUCT

Mini NASDAQ

SYSTEM TYPE

Day Trading

Recommended Cannon Trading Starting Capital

$20,000

COST

USD 85 / monthly

Get Started

Learn More

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The performance shown above is hypothetical in that the chart represents 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 back adjusted data. Please read full disclaimer HERE.

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Trading Levels for Next Week

Daily Levels for March 17th, 2025

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Trading Reports for Next Week

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

www.mrci.com 

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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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Volatility Warning: 3 Crucial Adjustments to Avoid Devastating Losses in High Volatility!

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Volatility Expands

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Volatility is high!!

Volatility alert: The “bands” are expanding, consider reducing trading size? Possibly trading MICROS?

Evaluating your stops and targets to make sure they adjust to volatility?

Daily Levels for March 14th, 2025

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Economic Reports

provided by: ForexFactory.com

All times are Eastern Time (New York)

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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.

Call Now

Join our Private Facebook group

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Listen to our podcast: Subscribe on AppleSpotify, Amazon

or wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Future Trading Brokers

Futures trading is a complex and dynamic sector of the financial markets, requiring traders to navigate volatility, leverage, and strategic execution. While many traders master the basics, advanced futures traders often encounter unexpected challenges. In this article, we explore ten uncommon problems in trading futures and provide detailed, risk-assessed solutions. We will also examine why futures trading has been a cornerstone of global financial markets and how Cannon Trading Company, a legacy commodity brokerage firm based in Los Angeles since 1988, has successfully weathered decades of market innovation.

  1. Latency Arbitrage Risks in High-Frequency Trading

  2. Problem: Even sophisticated futures traders underestimate how milliseconds of latency can impact execution in high-frequency trading (HFT). Certain firms exploit minor discrepancies in price feeds, engaging in latency arbitrage against slower participants.

    Solution: Traders should utilize direct market access (DMA) with co-located servers near exchanges to reduce execution time.

    Risk Assessment: While co-location fees can be high, the alternative—being consistently front-run by faster traders—can lead to significantly larger financial losses over time.

    Why This Solution? Compared to conventional retail brokerage solutions, DMA provides superior execution speeds and minimizes the risk of adversarial HFT strategies exploiting slower market orders.

  1. Over-Optimization in Algorithmic Trading

  2. Problem: Traders using algorithmic strategies often curve-fit their models to historical data, leading to poor real-world performance.

    Solution: Implement walk-forward analysis and Monte Carlo simulations to test robustness against unseen market conditions.

    Risk Assessment: Over-reliance on historical data increases drawdown risk. Diversifying strategy inputs can mitigate failures in live markets.

    Why This Solution? Unlike standard backtesting, walk-forward analysis accounts for evolving market structures, reducing reliance on outdated data patterns.

  1. Misinterpreting Order Flow in Thin Markets

  2. Problem: Many futures traders misjudge liquidity in thinly traded contracts, leading to unexpected price slippage.

    Solution: Use iceberg orders and volume-weighted average price (VWAP) algorithms to execute large positions more efficiently.

    Risk Assessment: While VWAP orders can prevent market impact, improper execution timing can still lead to adverse selection.

    Why This Solution? Compared to manual execution, VWAP minimizes slippage in illiquid futures markets, ensuring better entry and exit efficiency.

  1. Neglecting Cross-Exchange Settlement Risks

  2. Problem: Traders using multiple futures trading brokers across exchanges sometimes fail to account for cross-exchange margin calls.

    Solution: Consolidate accounts with a prime futures broker that offers centralized risk assessment.

    Risk Assessment: Single brokerage consolidation increases counterparty risk, but decentralized positions create exposure to conflicting margin policies.

    Why This Solution? Prime brokerage mitigates liquidity fragmentation, reducing inefficiencies associated with collateral management.

  1. Hidden Costs in E-Mini Futures Trading

  2. Problem: Advanced traders often overlook exchange fees, data costs, and hidden liquidity provider markups when trading e-mini futures.

    Solution: Utilize a cost-analysis dashboard from a futures trading broker that provides transparency on fees.

    Risk Assessment: A trader might reduce cost-per-trade but risk losing access to critical order execution tools from premium platforms.

    Why This Solution? Full cost visibility allows better strategy refinement, optimizing profitability over time.

  1. The Fallacy of Static Hedging Strategies

  2. Problem: Many futures traders assume static hedging (e.g., long S&P 500 futures against short crude oil futures) will always perform consistently.

    Solution: Utilize dynamic delta hedging to adjust exposure as volatility fluctuates.

    Risk Assessment: Dynamic hedging requires frequent adjustments, increasing transaction costs.

    Why This Solution? Unlike static hedging, dynamic approaches account for changing market correlations, preventing unexpected losses.

  1. Unexpected Margin Call Liquidity Gaps

  2. Problem: Traders sometimes find themselves liquidated at extreme prices due to margin calls during low-liquidity periods.

    Solution: Implement preemptive margin buffer strategies and monitor overnight funding conditions.

    Risk Assessment: Holding excess capital reduces leverage efficiency but prevents forced liquidation at unfavorable prices.

    Why This Solution? Unlike reactive capital injections, preemptive margin buffers safeguard against adverse execution.

  1. Algorithmic Spoofing and Market Manipulation Risks

  2. Problem: Spoofing—placing fake orders to manipulate prices—can create deceptive liquidity illusions.

    Solution: Use proprietary spoof-detection indicators and confirm trades with time-and-sales analysis.

    Risk Assessment: False positives can lead to over-cautious trading, reducing profit opportunities.

    Why This Solution? Unlike conventional volume analysis, spoof-detection tools actively filter out manipulative activity.

  1. Execution Disruptions from Exchange Halts

  2. Problem: Circuit breakers and exchange halts can trap traders in highly leveraged positions.

    Solution: Diversify execution venues and employ hedge orders in correlated markets.

    Risk Assessment: Spreading orders across exchanges increases counterparty exposure, requiring careful counterparty risk management.

    Why This Solution? A multi-venue approach ensures continued execution flexibility, reducing exposure to exchange-specific disruptions.

  1. The Illusion of Automated Trading Autonomy

  2. Problem: Traders often assume once an algorithm is deployed, it requires little oversight.

    Solution: Employ real-time risk monitoring with automated trade kill-switch mechanisms.

    Risk Assessment: Kill-switches may occasionally halt profitable trades, but they prevent catastrophic automation failures.

    Why This Solution? Unlike passive oversight, active monitoring ensures rogue algorithms don’t cause unchecked losses.

Why Futures Trading Has Thrived for Centuries

Futures trading has been a fundamental part of global financial markets because it provides essential functions—price discovery, hedging, and liquidity. From the early rice futures exchanges in 18th-century Japan to modern electronic markets, futures have enabled risk transfer between producers, speculators, and hedgers. Despite technological advances, the core principles of futures trading remain intact: efficient risk management and speculative opportunities.

Cannon Trading Company: A Legacy Futures Brokerage

Established in 1988, Cannon Trading Company has endured decades of market evolution through innovation and deep market expertise. As one of the longest-standing futures trading brokers in Los Angeles, Cannon Trading provides advanced trading tools, superior risk management solutions, and comprehensive brokerage services. By adapting to technological advancements while maintaining a strong client focus, Cannon Trading has remained a reliable partner for professional traders navigating the ever-changing landscape of futures trading.

Understanding and mitigating uncommon trading challenges can significantly enhance a futures trader’s success. By implementing advanced solutions tailored to each issue, traders can optimize performance and reduce risk. As evidenced by firms like Cannon Trading Company, longevity in the futures trading industry is achieved through adaptability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to innovation.

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.

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