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Market Updates for The Week Ahead PLUS: CannonEdge Snapshot, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on March 17th, 2026

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Cannon Operations

At-a-Glance Levels

Instrument	S2	S1	Pivot	R1	R2
Gold (GC) — April (#GC)	4937.00	4978.30	5011.40	5052.70	5085.80
Silver (SI) — May. (#SI)	75.32	78.20	80.01	82.90	84.71
Crude Oil (CL) — April. (#CL)	86.77	90.12	96.28	99.63	105.79
June Bonds (ZB) — June. (#ZB)	113 6/32	113 27/32	114 8/32	114 29/32	115 10/32

Weekly Market Update: March 16, 2026

By Eli Gal Levy, Series 3 Broker

This week I will start with the technical take as I think its reaching some crucial price points.

Technical Picture — SPX

For the past few weeks I mentioned the support we kept holding these past few month was the 100 day moving average. And I mentioned that the more we test support, eventually it can break. That is what happened with the 100-day moving average last week. The selling continued and we are now below the 100 day moving average (we will now look to see if the 100 day moving average will act as resistance) on Friday we almost reached the 200-day moving average, which currently sits around 6,604 on my charts the SPX was as low as 6,623.

There are 3 ways I see this playing out.

a) The SPX holds and bounces of the 200-day moving average, we get some positive news about the straights of Hormuz and the 200 day is support and the bulls keep on running.

b) The SPX holds the 200-day moving average we get a short-term bounce to the 100 or 50 day moving average or some Fibonacci resistance and we trade back down.

c) The SPX penetrates through the 200-day moving average and we keep on going down. Or we get a bear trap at the 200 day.

Nothing I expect has to materialize we can get a consolidation around the 200 day as well. Yet I still expect the index to originally bounce off the 200. The RSI has fallen to the mid-30s territory, technically oversold, but oversold can stay oversold in a trending move.

The 100 DMA can now likely flip to resistance on any bounce attempts. The pattern we saw last week — opening down and bouncing, only to close lower — continued. I will watch for that trend to persist until proven otherwise, or until we see meaningful progress on the Strait of Hormuz.

Watch out for continued volatility. And while the spike in oil prices ($119) and the VIX (35) on Monday, along with their subsequent pullback could represent a near-term capitulation “peak” for markets, I’m not convinced because historically there has been a corresponding “V” response in stocks. I’m not sure stocks ever fully “capitulated” and Friday the major indices fell to fresh multi-month lows.

Summary: there is the technical set-up heading into this week. The Nasdaq Composite ($COMP) is currently below its 200-day SMA and the S&P 500 (SPX) is less than 1% above its 200-day SMA. The Dow is also near its 200-day moving average. If oil push higher and stocks continue to drop, there could additionally selling pressure if these indices lose key support at their respective 200-day SMAs.

My chart of the week is the 10-year yield: I know there is a lot going on in the chart but if you notice we just broke out of the yellow channel.

OIL

Oil remains the most important chart to watch. Last week we saw extreme volatility — Brent crude touched $119.50 per barrel early in the week, up from around $70 before the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, before declining back toward the $90 range. By Friday, WTI crude futures settled at $98.71 per barrel and Brent settled above $103, closing above $100 for the first time since August 2022.

The reason for the continued pressure is straightforward: Iran borders the Strait of Hormuz, the most important passageway for global energy, carrying 20–25% of the world’s oil and liquid natural gas. The Strait has been effectively closed since fighting started, and despite the U.S. offering to provide ships safety and insurance guarantees, shipping companies may still believe it’s too risky for transit.

The degree and duration question I raised last week is becoming clearer, and it is not encouraging. Analysts note that the lost Gulf supply could reach 11–16 million barrels per day, raising doubts about whether emergency stockpiles can fully offset the deficit. The IEA has cut its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026 by roughly 25% to 640,000 barrels per day, reflecting weaker economic activity and higher fuel costs.

On the consumer side, Wells Fargo has calculated that sustained oil prices at $130 per barrel — a 100% increase from the pre-conflict baseline — would result in back-to-back contractions in quarterly personal consumption, materially raising the risk of recession. We are not there yet, but we are watching the direction closely.

There were two significant turns in sentiment during the week. On Monday, markets opened sharply lower — the Dow was down nearly 900 points at its session low and the Nasdaq COMPX dipped below its 200-day moving average for the first time since May 2025 — before a remarkable reversal. President Trump told a CBS News reporter that “the war is very complete, pretty much,” adding that Iran “has no navy, no communications, no Air Force,” and markets bounced hard, with the S&P 500 closing up 0.83% and the Nasdaq jumping 1.38%.

By Thursday, a second catalyst emerged: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration was taking concrete steps to try to cap surging oil prices, sparking a strong Friday rally in equities and crypto alike. Despite these intraday bounces, the trend for the week remained down. The S&P 500 posted a 1.6% loss on the week, notching its first three-week losing streak in about a year. The Dow slid about 2%, while the Nasdaq fell 1.3%.

Stagflation Risk Grows

The big story from Friday was the GDP revision. Q4 2025 GDP was revised sharply down to just 0.7% annualized growth from the initial estimate of 1.4%, well below the 2.5% economists had originally expected. At the same time, core PCE inflation for January came in at 3.1% year-over-year — still well above the Fed’s 2% target — with core PCE rising 0.4% on the month.

As one analyst put it, “the big downward revision in GDP is a gut check going into this energy crunch, increasing the risk of stagflation.” The economy entered this oil shock weaker than many realized.

Midweek, the February CPI report offered a brief respite. The headline CPI rose 0.3% for the month, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 2.4%. Core CPI posted a 0.2% monthly reading and a 2.5% annual rate — both in line with Wall Street estimates. However, the market largely looked through that print. Stocks slumped and Treasury yields spiked after the release, as traders were focused on the oil price surge and what it will mean for March and April data.

“CPI inflation for February was along expectations but this is the calm before the storm,” said Carson Group’s chief macro strategist. Economists estimate that if crude oil averages around $100 per barrel for the rest of the year, CPI inflation could rise to 3.5% by year-end, and gasoline prices could hit nearly $5 per gallon in the second quarter.

The Fed Is in a Bind

As I noted last week, the Fed is in a tough spot. Markets have largely abandoned expectations of rate cuts this year, with several Wall Street economists including TD Securities, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs pushing back the timing of their expected next cut.

The probability of a cut at this week’s meeting has almost disappeared, and markets are now pricing around 20 basis points of easing for all of 2026 — less than one full 25-basis-point cut. The FOMC decision comes Wednesday, March 19.

No rate change is expected, but the updated dot plot and Chair Powell’s press conference will be closely scrutinized for any signals about the path ahead — particularly any hint that hikes could come back on the table if oil-driven inflation persists.

Russell 2000

Small caps continued to underperform, and for the same reasons as last week. Higher oil raises input costs and compresses margins, while elevated Treasury yields make financing more expensive for smaller companies that rely more heavily on debt. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed 14 basis points on the week to 4.28%, and the 30-year rose 14 basis points to 4.90%. Until we see a reversal in oil and yields, we can see the Russell to continue lagging the large-cap indices.

Private Credit

Private credit continued to generate headlines. Last week Blackstone’s BCRED hit record redemption requests; this week BlackRock said it is limiting withdrawals from one of its private credit funds following a surge in redemption requests — investors sought roughly $1.2 billion in redemptions but only $620 million was paid out. I continue to monitor bond prices of private credit issuers as a leading stress indicator. This is a slow-developing story but one that warrants close attention.

AI Buildout

Deutsche Bank upgraded software to overweight and raised its rating on tech overall to neutral from overweight, citing software stocks’ outperformance last week — even amid the broader turmoil — as a sign that the group may have finally bottomed after months of AI disruption concerns weighing on valuations. I continue to watch the bonds and stocks of the major AI infrastructure investors as a barometer of confidence in the buildout thesis. Such as ORCL and Softbank.

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin was a standout performer this week, showing meaningful relative strength against equities. Bitcoin rose about 8.5% this week and more than 13% since the Middle East conflict escalated, outperforming tech stocks, gold, and U.S. equities. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly $1.3 billion in net inflows so far in March, potentially marking the first positive month for flows since October.

A notable milestone: on March 9, the Bitcoin network mined its 20 millionth coin, leaving only 1 million BTC to be issued over the next 114 years.

Technically, Bitcoin is approaching a key level. BTC is trading around $73,000, and a decisive move above $74,000 on strong volume could trigger a rally toward $80,000, a former support level. On the downside, $65,000 — roughly the network’s estimated production cost — remains the first key support, followed by $60,000. The Fed meeting on Wednesday is the next macro event that could move crypto meaningfully in either direction.

Any hawkish surprise from Powell would likely hit risk assets including Bitcoin hard.

The Week Ahead: March 16–20, 2026

The highlight of the week is the FOMC decision Wednesday, March 19. No rate change is expected (current target range 3.50%–3.75%), but the updated Summary of Economic Projections — the dot plot — and Powell’s press conference will be the most closely watched events of the week.

Nvidia’s annual Global Technology Conference (GTC) kicks off Monday and runs through Thursday. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will likely deliver several AI-related headlines, which could have an impact on tech stocks.

There will also be several monetary policy meetings from global central banks–the U.S. Federal Reserve (Tue-Wed), the Bank of Japan (Wed-Thur), and the European Central Bank (ECB) (Thur). On Wednesday after the bell, we’ll also get an earnings report from memory and storage specialist Micron Technology, which has been one of the best-performing stocks over the past year.

Economic:

Monday (Mar. 16): Capacity Utilization, Empire State Manufacturing, Industrial Production
Tuesday (Mar. 17): Building Permits, Housing Starts, NAHB Housing Market Index, Pending Home Sales
Wednesday (Mar. 18): Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Rate Decision, Producer Price Index (PPI), EIA Crude Oil Inventories, Mortgage Applications Index, Net Long-Term TIC, BOJ starts two-day Monetary Policy Meeting
Thursday (Mar. 19): ECB Governing Council monetary policy meeting, Continuing Claims, EIA Natural Gas Inventories, Initial Claims, New Home Sales, Philadelphia Fed Index, Wholesale Inventories
Friday (Mar. 20): no reports

Earnings:

Monday (Mar. 16): Annexon Inc. (ANNX), Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR), Forgent Power Solutions Inc. (FPS), Ke Holdings Inc. (BEKE), MBX Biosciences Inc. MBX), Oruka Therapeutics Inc. (ORKA), Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), Semtech Corp. (SMTC), VinFast Auto Ltd. (VFS)
Tuesday (Mar. 17): Academy Sports and Outdoors Inc. (ASO), Alour Lifestyle Holdings Ltd. (ATAT), Corporacion America Airports SA (CAAP), DocuSign Inc. (DOCU), Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT), GDS Holdings Ltd. (GDS), Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), New Gold Inc. (NGD), Oklo Inc. (OKLO), Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME)
Wednesday (Mar. 18): Dlocal Ltd. (DLO), Equipmentshare.com Inc. (EQPT), Five Below Inc. (FIVE), General Mills Inc. (GIS), H World Group Ltd. (HTHT), Jabil Inc. (JBL), Macy’s Inc. (M), Micron Technology Inc. (MU), Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM)
Thursday (Mar. 19): Accenture PLC (ACN), Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA), Carnival Corp. (CCL), Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI), Erasca Inc. (ERAS), FedEx Corp. (FDX), PDD Holdings Inc. (PDD), Planet Labs (PL), Signet Jewelers Ltd. (SIG)
Friday (Mar. 20): SANUWAVE Health Inc. (SNWV), Xpeng Inc. (XPEV)

Disclaimer: Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions and other financial instruments 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. I am registered solely as a commodities broker. Any references, recommendations & information contained in this article are of opinion only, should not be considered investment advice, and do not guarantee any profits.

Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Snapshot for March 17th

Daily Levels for March 17th 2026

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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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FOMC Rate Decision, Roll into June Equity Contracts PLUS: Futures 102 – How to Use the RSI while in a Trade, May KC – Chicago Wheat Spread, CannonEdge Snapshot, Levels, Reports; Your 6 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures the Week of March 16th, 2026

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Cannon Operations

Cannon Futures Weekly Letter

In Today’s Issue #1282

The Week Ahead – Iran Crude Oil, FOMC & More!
Futures 102 – Trading Video – How to Use the RSI while in a Trade
Cannon Edge – Your Futures trading Map for the week ahead!
Hot Market of the Week – May KC – Chicago Wheat Spread
Broker’s Trading System of the Week – Gold Swing Trading System
Trading Levels for Next Week
Trading Reports for Next Week

At-a-Glance Levels

Instrument	S2	S1	Pivot	R1	R2
Gold (GC) — April (#GC)	4937.43	4979.07	5055.73	5097.37	5174.03
Silver (SI) — May. (#SI)	75.73	78.04	81.83	84.14	87.93
Crude Oil (CL) — April. (#CL)	89.25	93.74	96.53	101.02	103.81
June Bonds (ZB) — June. (#ZB)	113 3/32	113 13/32	113 30/32	114 8/32	114 25/32

What Futures Traders Should Watch This Week

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

FOMC Rate Decision, Roll into June Equity contracts

equity

Fertilizer and the continuing conflicts in the Middle East.

Jerome Powell’s second to last presser will be on Wednesday, 1:30 pm CDT. After the FOMC rate decision. The CME FedWatch tool is reflecting a 99% probability, as of today, remaining in the .035-.0375 % range. Investors will pay close attention to the language in the speech and q&a to follow and adjust their market positions accordingly, especially since the U.S. is heavily engaged in the Middle East conflict.

His final speech will be the April FOMC meeting before Trump’s man, Kevin Warsh, assumes the chairmanship. Warsh has expressed belief that, artificial Intelligence can boost productivity and lower costs, potentially offsetting inflation. Known as a Hawk on rates, his first meeting May, will be met with great anticipation given the current administration prefers a more dovish tone.

As many investors have been watching the fog of the “Energy Sector” rally from the supply shock potential as a result of the fighting in the middle east, there are also substitutes in production for commodity contracts we also trade and have had the same directional bias. The Biofuels; Soybeans, Corn, Bean oil, Ethanol, these markets are all conducive to spread trading, spot vs deferreds, option spreads, product vs product like the traditional WTI, Unleaded , Heating oil and Nat. Gas markets.

The Urea market trades at the CME as well as the fertilizer market too has exploded with the threat of the Straits of Hormuz closing at the worst time for American farmers as they purchase the bulk of fertilizer in the spring time and over 20% of U.S. row crop fertilizer travels through the straights. Reach out to your broker if you are interested in these other products that a extremely liquid as well.

Begin trading the M26 contracts June, M26 is the next month and year designation. Here is a quick Youtube Video on how to change your contract on CannonX (cqg StoneX) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzeOgBa5HwA

We’ll see you next week! Please enjoy a safe and memorable weekend.

Earnings Next Week:

· Mon. Dollar Tree,

· Tue. Lululemon

· Wed. Tencent, Micron

· Thu. FedeX, Darden Restaurants

· Fri. Carnival

FED SPEECHES: (all times CST)

· Mon. quiet

· Tues. quiet

· Wed. Jerome Powell 1:30 p.m. CDT

· Thu. quiet

· Fri. quiet

Econ Data: (all times CST)

· Mon. NY Empire State mfg Index, Cap. Utilization, Industrial Production

· Tue. ADP Weekly, Redbook, NAHB Housing, Pending Home Sales, API Crude Stock Change

· Wed. Core PPI, Factory Orders, EIA Crude stocks, Fed Rate Decision, Economic projections, net long term tic flows

· Thu. Building Permits, Initial Jobless claims, Philly Fed, new home sales Nat Gas Stocks, Fed Balance Sheet

· Fri. Baker Hughes Rig Count

Futures 102: Using RSI as Your Trade‑Management GPS

In this week’s Futures 102 feature, broker Eli Gal Levy breaks down how he uses the Relative Strength Index (RSI) as a real‑time “GPS” while managing open trades ( in this video Crude Oil Futures).

Instead of treating RSI as a simple overbought/oversold indicator, Eli shows how it can guide position adjustments, confirm momentum, and help traders stay disciplined during fast markets.

Watch the video, and if you’d like to explore how tools like RSI can fit into your own trading plan, we’re offering a free consultation or free platform demo to help you take the next step with confidence

WATCH VIDEO HERE

thumbnail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FU7Ke M03ETY%2Fhqdefault

Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Insight for the Next Trading Day! Cannon Edge for March 16th 2026

Cannon Edge is our new daily feature designed to give traders a fast, actionable overview of key futures markets.

Each post delivers:

Current price and daily % change
30‑day and 52‑week highs/lows
PROPRIETARY Short‑term and long‑term trend signals
Coverage across equity indices, metals, energies, currencies, and ags

Whether you’re scanning for breakout setups, trend reversals, or just staying informed — Cannon Edge puts the data in your hands before the open.

Built for speed. Backed by insight. Powered by CQG.

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

After testing contract lows last month, the May KC – Chicago wheat spread came roaring back, erasing the winter highs and activating upside PriceCount objectives in the process. The first count projects a possible run to the 27.5 area.

Learn more spreads and seasonal patterns in commodity futures HERE

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

Edvardus – Breakout Gold Trading System SID#:3528

***Past performance may not be necessarily indicative of future results.

To learn more about this system, contact 800-454-9572 / 310-859-9572 or info@cannontrading.com .

This system is available for the 100 OZ gold contract and results below are based on the 100 oz contract – However, you can trade the same system logic and execution with the 10 Oz contract going as low as one micro gold which is 1/10 of the large contract.

System Description

Market Sector: Metals

Markets Traded: GC , MGC

System Type: Swing Trading

Risk per Trade: varies

Trading Rules: Partially Disclosed

Suggested Capital: $60,000/ $6,000

Developer Fee per contract: $300.00/ $30 Monthly Subscription

System Description:

Edvardus Breakout GOLD is a breakout swing trading strategy. It has passed robustness testing such as walk-forward analysis.

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.

System Trades Disclosure:

System Description

“System Description” is based upon information obtained from specific system marketing documents, system developers and/or system vendors themselves. While the information is believed to be reliable, we cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy.

Actual Monthly Performance

The table and charts represent the monthly/quarterly/annual summation of actual trades based on system-specified contract(s) executed through Striker Securities, Inc. using the referenced trading system or system vendor for the stated time period. Commissions and monthly vendor fees are deducted from the tabulation. Results are based on 1 contract. If a client trades 2 contracts his gain or loss is twice as displayed (and so on).

This table is presented for information purposes only and is not a solicitation for the referenced system or vendor. The purpose of this information is for clients to compare their brokerage statements to what is displayed on Striker’s site. Striker as a matter of policy has no ownership with the referenced system or vendor or any other trading system or vendor. Past trade history may not be indicative of future results.

The results indicated here may or may not be typical of the performance of this system and, ALTHOUGH WE BELIEVE THIS INFORMATION TO BE ACCURATE, CANNON TRADING COMPANY MAKES NO ENDORSEMENT OF THIS OR ANY SYSTEM NOR WARRANTS ITS PERFORMANCE. This is not the only trading system that Striker executes for its clients. Potential traders should carefully investigate, evaluate and compare trading systems before investing capital. Some or all trading systems may involve an inappropriate level of risk for potential traders.

It is the nature of commodity trading that where there is the opportunity for profit, there is also the risk of loss. In opening an account through CANNON TRADING COMPANY, Customer acknowledges and agrees that he/she will rely solely upon the information that CANNON TRADING COMPANYprovides to you. Thus, all prior third-party materials provided are superseded by the information and disclosures provided by CANNON TRADING COMPANY.

Important Information About this Trading System Analysis

Statistics, tables, charts and other information on trading system monthly performance are based on actual trading unless otherwise specified. Actual dollar and percentage gains/losses experienced by investors would depend on many factors not accounted for in these statistics, including, but not limited to, starting account balances, market behavior, developer fees, incidence of split fills and other variations in order execution, and the duration and extent of individual investor participation in the specified system.

While the information and statistics given are believed to be complete and accurate we cannot guarantee their completeness or accuracy as they results are key punched and subject to human error. Performance information is not the performance of a single account, but a compilation of several accounts over time, and is based on the physical trading ticket.

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL/ INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND USED BY CURRENT CLIENTS TO AUDIT THEIR STATEMENTS TO STRIKER SITE. These results are not indicative of, and have no bearing on, any individual results that may be attained by the trading system in the future.

This trading system, like any other, may involve an inappropriate level of risk for prospective investors. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING COMMODITY FUTURES AND OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS. Prior to purchasing or leasing a trading system from this or any other system vendor or investing in a trading system with a registered commodity trading representative, investors need to carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for them in light of their own specific financial condition. In some cases, futures accounts are subject to substantial charges for commission, management, incentive or advisory fees.

It may be necessary for accounts subject to these charges to make substantial trading profits to avoid depletion or exhaustion of their assets. In addition, one should carefully study the accompanying prospectus, account forms, disclosure documents and/or risk disclosure statements required by the CFTC or NFA, which are provided directly by the system vendor and/or CTA’s.

The information contained in this report is provided with the objective of “standardizing” trading systems measurements, and it is intended for educational /informational purposes only. All information is offered with the understanding that an investor considering purchasing or leasing a system must carry out his/her own research and due diligence in deciding whether to purchase or lease any trading system noted within or without this report. This report does not constitute a solicitation to purchase or invest in any trading system which may be mentioned herein.

CANNON TRADING COMPANY AND STRIKER SECURITES, INC. MAKES NO ENDORSEMENT OF THIS OR ANY OTHER TRADING SYSTEM NOR WARRANTS ITS PERFORMANCE. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE TO ANY TRADING SYSTEM.

Futures Trading Disclaimer:

Transactions in securities futures, commodity and index futures and options on futures carry a high degree of risk. The amount of initial margin is small relative to the value of the futures contract, meaning that transactions are heavily “leveraged”. A relatively small market movement will have a proportionately larger impact on the funds you have deposited or will have to deposit: this may work against you as well as for you. You may sustain a total loss of initial margin funds and any additional funds deposited with the clearing firm to maintain your position.

If the market moves against your position or margin levels are increased, you may be called upon to pay substantial additional funds on short notice to maintain your position.

If you fail to comply with a request for additional funds within the time prescribed, your position may be liquidated at a loss and you will be liable for any resulting deficit.

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Daily Levels for March 16th, 2026

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Trading Reports for Next Week

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

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Futures Brokers and You: 8 Useful Crude Oil Market Insights and Predictions

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Cannon Operations

futures brokers

Crude Oil Market Insights and Predictions

futures brokers

The Strategic Importance of Crude Oil Futures

Crude oil remains one of the most actively traded commodities in global derivatives markets. Energy contracts shape economic expectations, influence inflation, and guide corporate hedging strategies. For traders seeking opportunity in volatile markets, crude oil futures provide liquidity, leverage, and clear price discovery.

Geopolitical instability significantly amplifies oil market volatility. Recent tensions involving the United States and Iran have reintroduced risk premiums into global crude supply chains. Events affecting the Strait of Hormuz, where nearly one-fifth of global oil passes daily, immediately influence futures pricing.

In these environments, experienced futures brokers help traders interpret market signals and execute trades efficiently. Understanding supply disruptions, shipping risks, and OPEC responses allows traders to act strategically rather than emotionally.

Professional commodities brokers also assist clients in identifying hedging opportunities during geopolitical crises. Energy producers, airlines, and hedge funds frequently turn to crude futures to offset risk when Middle East tensions escalate.

Modern commodity trading platforms enable real-time monitoring of energy contracts, allowing traders to react quickly to breaking geopolitical developments. Platforms integrated with market data, depth-of-market analytics, and algorithmic execution tools help traders maintain an advantage.

For decades, Cannon Trading Company has supported traders navigating complex markets like crude oil futures.

How U.S.–Iran Tensions Influence Oil Market Dynamics

The conflict between the United States and Iran historically drives immediate reactions in crude oil futures markets. Political statements, military movements, and sanctions policies can trigger rapid price spikes.

Energy traders track these developments because Iran controls strategic access to the Persian Gulf. Any disruption to oil shipping routes can tighten global supply expectations.

Key geopolitical triggers include:

Sanctions and Export Restrictions
U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports reduce global supply expectations. Futures prices often rise as markets anticipate tighter inventories.
Military Activity Near the Strait of Hormuz
Naval deployments or threats to shipping lanes create immediate volatility in crude contracts.
OPEC Policy Adjustments
Other oil producers may increase output to offset potential shortages, moderating price spikes.

Experienced futures brokers analyze these factors daily. Their role includes helping traders interpret news events and translate them into actionable trading strategies.

Professional commodities brokers also provide insights into global inventory reports and refinery demand trends. This perspective allows traders to differentiate between temporary price reactions and long-term structural changes.

Many traders rely on advanced commodity trading platforms to track crude oil contracts listed on CME Group exchanges. These systems allow rapid execution when geopolitical headlines break.

Crude Oil Futures Mechanics and Trading Strategy

Crude oil futures contracts allow traders to speculate on or hedge against changes in oil prices. Contracts typically represent 1,000 barrels of crude and trade electronically through regulated exchanges.

Understanding contract mechanics is essential before entering the market.

Common crude oil trading strategies include:

Directional Trading
Traders take long or short positions based on geopolitical expectations.
Calendar Spreads
This involves trading price differences between different delivery months.
Inventory Reaction Trades
U.S. Energy Information Administration reports frequently trigger short-term volatility.
Options Hedging
Combining futures with options can help limit downside exposure.

Working with experienced futures brokers ensures traders understand margin requirements, contract specifications, and risk exposure.

Similarly, knowledgeable commodities brokers guide clients through advanced strategies such as spread trading or volatility hedging.

Reliable commodity trading platforms provide tools such as order-flow analytics, time-and-sales tracking, and DOM trading. These features allow traders to detect institutional activity and liquidity levels in real time.

Cannon Trading Company provides access to several leading trading technologies designed specifically for futures traders.

How a Futures Broker Supports Crude Oil Traders During Geopolitical Crises

Geopolitical conflicts introduce extreme volatility into oil markets. Sudden news releases can cause price swings of several dollars per barrel within minutes.

In these conditions, the expertise of professional futures brokers becomes invaluable.

A broker assists traders in several ways:

Market Interpretation
Brokers translate geopolitical developments into potential market scenarios.
Execution Support
Rapid order routing ensures trades are filled efficiently during volatile market conditions.
Risk Management Guidance
Brokers help traders determine position sizing and margin considerations.
Strategy Development
Traders receive insights into spread opportunities and volatility trades.

Skilled commodities brokers also maintain relationships with institutional research providers. This enables them to provide clients with deeper insight into energy supply forecasts and macroeconomic influences.

Additionally, modern commodity trading platforms enable traders to automate strategies that react to market volatility. Algorithmic tools can adjust stop levels, manage risk thresholds, and capture price momentum.

Cannon Trading Company’s brokerage services combine technology, human expertise, and decades of market experience.

The Role of Technology in Modern Oil Trading

Technology has transformed how traders interact with energy markets.

Today’s commodity trading platforms integrate advanced analytics, real-time news feeds, and customizable charting tools. These features allow traders to respond instantly to geopolitical developments.

Key technological advantages include:

Depth-of-Market Visualization
Shows real-time liquidity across price levels.
Algorithmic Trading Tools
Allows automated strategy execution.
Risk Management Dashboards
Displays margin usage and exposure in real time.
Multi-Asset Integration
Energy contracts can be analyzed alongside currencies, equities, and bonds.

Professional futures brokers help traders select the most suitable platform for their trading style. Some traders prefer DOM-based scalping interfaces, while others rely on advanced charting environments.

Experienced commodities brokers also assist clients in configuring data feeds and optimizing order routing.

Cannon Trading Company provides access to several industry-leading technologies through its brokerage infrastructure.

These advanced commodity trading platforms help traders maintain speed and precision in volatile oil markets.

Risk Management Strategies for Crude Oil Traders

Crude oil trading carries significant opportunity but also considerable risk.

Geopolitical developments can cause rapid price movements that exceed typical volatility ranges.

Traders should implement disciplined risk management strategies such as:

Stop-Loss Orders
Automatic exits limit downside exposure.
Position Sizing
Traders should limit risk per trade relative to account size.
Diversification
Combining energy contracts with other commodities reduces concentration risk.
Spread Strategies
Calendar spreads often carry lower volatility than outright positions.

Experienced futures brokers play a crucial role in guiding traders through these risk management techniques.

Professional commodities brokers also help clients interpret inventory reports, seasonal demand patterns, and refinery utilization rates.

Advanced commodity trading platforms support these strategies by allowing automated risk controls and conditional orders.

By combining broker expertise with sophisticated technology, traders can navigate oil market volatility more effectively.

Why Cannon Trading Company Is a Leading Choice for Futures Traders

Cannon Trading Company has served futures traders for decades. Its reputation stems from transparent service, technological access, and personalized brokerage support.

The company has built strong relationships with both institutional and independent traders.

Reasons traders choose Cannon Trading include:

Experienced Brokerage Team
Knowledgeable futures brokers provide personalized guidance.
Access to Global Markets
Traders can access major energy, metals, and agricultural futures.
Advanced Technology
Multiple professional commodity trading platforms are available.
Responsive Customer Support
Traders receive direct assistance from experienced professionals.
Trusted Reputation
Client reviews on Trustpilot reflect strong service quality.

Cannon’s team of commodities brokers understands the unique challenges of energy trading. Their expertise helps traders navigate volatile conditions caused by geopolitical developments.

This combination of experience, technology, and service has positioned Cannon Trading Company among the most respected brokerage firms in the futures industry.

Crude Oil Market Outlook and Predictions

Looking ahead, crude oil markets are likely to remain influenced by geopolitical developments.

Several factors will shape oil prices in the coming months.

Middle East Security Risks
Continued tensions involving Iran may maintain a geopolitical risk premium.
Global Economic Growth
Demand from major economies influences long-term price trends.
OPEC Production Decisions
Output adjustments can stabilize or amplify price movements.
Energy Transition Policies
Long-term shifts toward renewable energy could influence future demand expectations.

Traders who remain informed and disciplined will be best positioned to navigate these changes.

Working with experienced futures brokers helps traders stay ahead of market developments.

Professional commodities brokers provide valuable insights into supply disruptions, production forecasts, and inventory changes.

Reliable commodity trading platforms ensure traders can react instantly to breaking news events.

Cannon Trading Company continues to support traders seeking opportunities in the global energy markets.

FAQ: Crude Oil Futures Trading

What are crude oil futures?

Crude oil futures are standardized contracts that allow traders to buy or sell oil at a predetermined price for future delivery. They are widely used for speculation and hedging in energy markets.

Why do geopolitical tensions affect oil prices?

Oil supply chains depend heavily on politically sensitive regions. Events affecting production or transportation routes can reduce supply expectations, driving prices higher.

How can futures brokers help oil traders?

Professional brokers assist traders with market analysis, order execution, and risk management strategies during volatile market conditions.

What role do commodities brokers play?

They provide specialized expertise in physical supply trends, inventory data, and seasonal demand patterns that influence commodity pricing.

Why are commodity trading platforms important?

Modern trading platforms provide real-time market data, charting tools, and automated order execution that allow traders to react quickly to price movements.

Why choose Cannon Trading Company?

Cannon Trading Company offers decades of experience, advanced trading technology, personalized brokerage support, and access to global futures markets.

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

Premium TradingView Indicators PLUS: Intraday Indicator Examples, April Crude Oil, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on February 20th, 2026

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Cannon Operations

Unlock Your Edge with Premium TradingView Indicators

By Ilan Levy-Mayer, VP

At-a-Glance Levels

Instrument	S2	S1	Pivot	R1	R2
Gold (GC) — April (#GC)	4939.33	4978.47	5010.63	5049.77	5081.93
Silver (SI) — Mar. (#SI)	74.87	76.54	77.97	79.64	81.08
Crude Oil (CL) — April. (#CL)	64.07	65.38	66.08	67.39	68.09
Mar. Bonds (ZB) — Mar. (#ZB)	117 2/32	117 12/32	117 18/32	117 28/32	118 2/32

Unlock Your Edge with Premium TradingView Indicators

tradingview

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Whether you’re day trading or swing trading, these tools can help you spot high-probability setups and avoid common traps – an example of the way signals look below!

Try them FREE and see why serious traders trust our edge.

Above is an intraday Gold chart from this morning, showcasing how our indicators plot signals in real time:

Green triangles → potential buy setups
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Red squares → possible exit for a long and/or an aggressive counter‑trend short

…and much more built into the logic behind the scenes.

These visual cues are designed to help traders quickly interpret momentum shifts, trend strength, and potential reversal zones—without clutter or guesswork.

Introducing Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Snapshot

Cannon Edge is our new daily feature designed to give traders a fast, actionable overview of key futures markets. Each post delivers:

Current price and daily % change
30‑day and 52‑week highs/lows
PROPRIETARY Short‑term and long‑term trend signals
Coverage across equity indices, metals, energies, currencies, and ags

Whether you’re scanning for breakout setups, trend reversals, or just staying informed — Cannon Edge puts the data in your hands before the open.

Built for speed. Backed by insight. Powered by CQQ.

April Crude Oil

April Crude Oil has resumed its rally into a new high which has the chart approaching its third upside PriceCount objective to the 67.22 area which is consistent with a challenge of the contract high from last summer. It would be normal to get a near term reaction from this level in the form of a consolidation or corrective trade, at least. IF we can sustain further upside we would be left with the low percentage fourth count to aim for near $80.

FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE

Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Daily Levels for February 20th, 2026

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Economic Reports

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Gold goes Volatile PLUS: Energies and Stock Indices, March Crude Oil, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on January 30th, 2026

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Cannon Operations

Higher Volatility in Metals, Energies and Stock Indices

By Ilan Levy-Mayer, VP

At-a-Glance Levels

Instrument	S2	S1	Pivot	R1	R2
Gold (GC) — April (#GC)	4893.63	5162.07	5394.43	5662.87	5895.23
Silver (SI) — Mar. (#SI)	99.83	108.22	155.00	123.40	130.18
Crude Oil (CL) — Mar. (#CL)	61.86	63.63	65.06	66.83	68.26
Mar. Bonds (ZB) — Mar. (#ZB)	114 9/32	114 22/32	115	115 13/32	115 23/32

The metals markets delivered another jolt today, with silver swinging more than $75,000 per contract in just 90 minutes (see intraday chart below!) a reminder of how extreme volatility has become across the board.

Gold

gold

Gold followed with outsized ranges of its own, while equity index futures continue to show elevated intraday volatility as we approach month‑end and T‑1 settlement flows. Add in renewed geopolitical tension between Iran and the U.S., and energy markets are pricing in risk premiums that can shift in minutes, not hours.

Volatility

In an environment like this, opportunity is real—but so is the danger. Traders must prioritize the risk side of the equation, from position sizing to stop discipline to understanding how quickly leveraged products can move.

Day trading margins vary among clearing firms / FCM’s. If needed, contact your Cannon Trading Co. broker for specifics.

Introducing Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Snapshot

Cannon Edge is our new daily feature designed to give traders a fast, actionable overview of key futures markets. Each post delivers:

Current price and daily % change
30‑day and 52‑week highs/lows
PROPRIETARY Short‑term and long‑term trend signals
Coverage across equity indices, metals, energies, currencies, and ags

Whether you’re scanning for breakout setups, trend reversals, or just staying informed — Cannon Edge puts the data in your hands before the open.

Built for speed. Backed by insight. Powered by CQQ.

March Crude Oil

March crude oil is satisfying the second upside PriceCount objective. It would be normal to get a near term reaction around this level in the form of a consolidation or corrective trade. From here, IF the chart can sustain further gains the third count would project a possible run to the 67.88 area.

FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE

Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Daily Levels for January 30th, 2026

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Economic Reports

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Precious Metals Continue to ROAR!!!! Crude Oil Numbers, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on January 14th, 2026

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Cannon Operations

PPI, Business Inventories, Fed Speakers,

Crude Oil Numbers

& more

Look for a volatile trading day tomorrow!

At-a-Glance Levels

Instrument	S2	S1	Pivot	R1	R2
Gold (GC) — Feb(#GC)	4537.77	4566.13	4605.07	4633.43	4672.37
Silver (SI) — Mar. (#SI)	80.59	83.68	86.45	89.54	92.31
Crude Oil (CL) — Feb (#CL)	58.65	59.85	60.68	61.88	62.71
Mar. Bonds (ZB) — Mar (#ZB)	115 2/32	115 13/32	115 22/32	116 1/32	116 10/32

Precious Metals Continue to Roar!

metal

The precious metals move to the upside has continued today with the sharp move higher for Silver which traded up over 7% on the day today, reaching a new all-time high price of $86.34 today and closing slightly below that level. Gold and Copper also traded higher with gold trading up over 2% and Copper trading higher by around 1.6%, and the momentum is still strong across the asset class.

There has been a lot of headlines and global uncertainty that could be playing a role in the dramatic moves to the upside, but any selling that has been seen over the last year has been met with buying on weakness helping drive the prices higher.

The equities also saw a positive day today with the S&P, Nasdaq and Russell all trading marginally higher led by the Russell. This has been a common theme over the past few months where the Russell either leads equities higher or leads the prices to the downside, and that trend continued today.

There is a lot of economic data being released this week, starting tomorrow looking at CPI, which can have a strong impact on the equities, precious metals, treasuries and the crypto futures that traders will be watching throughout the week.

Coinbase Products available for trading on the StoneX (CannonX) Futures Platform! See details below:

Name	Exchange	Class	Exchange Symbol	CQG Symbol	Size
nano XRP	Coinbase	Crypto	XRP	XRP	500 XRP
XRP	Coinbase	Crypto	XRL	XRL	10,000 XRPXRP
nano XRP Perp-Style	Coinbase	Crypto	XPP	XPP	500 XRP
nano Solana	Coinbase	Crypto	SOL	SOL	5 Solana
nano Solana Perp-Style	Coinbase	Crypto	SLP	SLP	5 Solana
Solana	Coinbase	Crypto	SLC	SLC	100 Solana
nano Ether Perp-Style	Coinbase	Crypto	ETP	ETP	0.1 Ethereum
Ether	Coinbase	Crypto	ETI	ETI	10 Ethereum
nano Ether	Coinbase	Crypto	ET	NET	0.1 Ethereum
nano Bitcoin	Coinbase	Crypto	BIT	BIT	0.01 Bitcoin
nano Bitcoin Perp-Style	Coinbase	Crypto	BIP	BIP	0.01 Bitcoin

February Crude Oil

February crude oil stabilized its slide last month and now has activated upside PriceCounts on the correction higher. The first count projects a run to the 61.75 area.

FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE

Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Daily Levels for January 14th, 2026

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Silver and Copper, Crude Oil, March – May Wheat Spread, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on December 4th, 2025

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Cannon Operations

What You Need to Know!

by Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker

At-a-Glance Levels

Instrument	S2	S1	Pivot	R1	R2
Gold (GC) — Feb(#GC)	4198.13	4219.37	4246.33	4267.57	4294.53
Silver (SI) — Mar. (#SI)	57.49	58.22	58.94	59.66	60.38
Crude Oil (CL) — Jan (#CL)	57.77	58.44	59.04	59.71	60.31
Mar. Bonds (ZB) — Mar (#ZB)	115 30/32	116 9/32	116 19/32	116 30/32	117 8/32

General:

This morning’s November ADP jobs report was well into negative territory falling to the lowest levels since 2020. The payrolls processing firm reported private companies cut 32,000 workers, with small businesses hit the hardest.

The report’s data were worse than anticipated as the Dow Jones consensus estimate from economists was to see an increase of 40,000 and a sharp step down from October, which saw an upwardly revised gain of 47,000 positions.

The ADP report is the last monthly jobs picture the Federal Reserve gets before it meets Dec. 9-10. Futures traders are now assigning a nearly 90% probability that the central bank will approve another quarter percentage point cut, according to the CME Group FedWatch tool:

This month’s release of the Labor Department’s monthly non-farm payrolls report has been moved from its traditional first Friday of the month to Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 7:30 A.M., Central Time. The report is widely considered to be one of the most important and influential measures of the U.S. economy.

More General:

Last Friday, a vital data center used by CME Group, overheated and suffered a more-than-ten-hour outage, shutting down trading at the world’s largest derivatives exchange. On an average day, it processes equity indexes futures and options trades tied to $1.5 trillion of underlying assets, and interest-rate-related trades with a notional value of $9.6 trillion.

While the blow was softened because it came late on Thanksgiving Day, this was the longest outage in recent CME history.

Energies:

In a credible sign that the world’s largest crude importer is nearing peak demand, China’s oil consumption next year – although still growing – will be surpassed by India’s for the first time. This was forecast by Singapore-based Trafigura Group, the world’s second-largest oil trader.

A key component to this, they explain, is that China’s main demand driver for crude – its consumption of road fuels – is weakening as adoption of electric cars and, increasingly, electric trucks has grown rapidly.

Metals:

New front month March silver futures traded to new all-time highs today, trading intraday to $59.65½ per ounce. The move includes a ~$8.00 per ounce move since Mon. Nov 24, a ±$40,000 per contract move for the main 5,000-oz. futures contract.

Driven by persistent concerns over a tightening global supply, March copper futures surged ~15 cents per pound (±2.8%) and traded up to ~4-month highs near $5.40 per pound today.

March – May Wheat Spread

The March – May Wheat Spread satisfied the first upside PriceCount objective off the August low. The chart is reacting with a short-term correction, which is normal. At this point, if the spread can resume its rally with new sustained highs, the second count would project a possible run to the -5.5 area.

Daily Levels for Dec. 4th, 2025

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Overnight Edge, December Mini Dow, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Important Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on October 21st, 2025

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Where is the Edge?

edge

At-a-Glance Levels

Instrument	S2	S1	Pivot	R1	R2
Gold (GC) — Dec (GCZ5)	4173.40	4285.40	4341.70	4453.70	4510.00
Silver (SI) — Dec (SIZ5)	49.49	50.65	51.24	52.40	52.99
Crude Oil (CL) — Nov (CLX5)	55.32	56.16	56.79	57.63	58.26
Dow Jones (YM) — Dec 2025	46087	46503	46733	47149	47379

Over the past few months, and especially in recent weeks, we’ve seen unusually large overnight moves. Some moves appear random, others reverse quickly, and some are driven by headlines such as tariff news. These dynamics have increased gap risk, reduced overnight liquidity, and produced frequent open-time dislocations.

Common question

Where is the edge?

Short answer

Trade the first 30 minutes and focus on short-term gap-fill or rejection setups.
Use same-day options when you expect a large directional move to limit tail risk and avoid being stopped out only to see the market move in your favor.
Trade spreads when relative strength diverges across instruments (for example, gold vs silver or mini-Dow vs ES).

Extended answer

I want to focus on the practical elements of trading like pre-market context, move behavior, market news correlation, liquidity, options limits, and whether to use mean reversion or momentum. I’ll also want to highlight key parts like risk management, stop placement, and position sizing. Planning should be direct with a simple checklist and no more than six sections. I should also consider using a relevant citation about tariff-related movements, but just one, and make sure it’s only placed where necessary. No framing or extra explanations.

Futures day-trading edge

You find edge by matching a repeatable hypothesis to the current market regime, then executing it with strict risk and execution rules.

Regime diagnosis (what the market is doing now)

Volatility regime: large overnight gaps and erratic premarket prints mean the market is in a news-driven, headline-sensitive volatility regime.
Catalyst profile: moves are often tied to macro headlines and tariff noise; those headlines create directional gaps that either persist into the session or sharply reverse at the open.
Liquidity profile: overnight liquidity is thin and fragmented, increasing slippage and fake outs at the open.

Reliable, tradeable edges you can use

Pre-open directional bias with size filter. Trade opens when overnight gap exceeds a threshold (e.g., 0.5% or X ticks) and pre-market order flow confirms (sustained prints, not one-off sweep).
Use reduced size and wider stops for gaps caused by headline noise.
Fade headline gap into first 30 minutes when structure is weakIf gap lacks follow-through volume and price fails to make a clean microstructure breakout, favor mean reversion to the first-tail or VWAP.
Trend-follow breakouts in high conviction regimeWhen overnight move is accompanied by aligned macro flow (rates, FX, commodities) and volume ramps into the open, follow momentum with a continuation plan.
Volatility arbitrage playsUse options or calendar spreads where available to sell realized volatility after spikes and buy protection around known headline windows.
Session-timing edgeTrade smaller and tighter in the first 15–30 minutes after the open; increase size after the market establishes structure (first clean high/low and confirmation).
Microstructure edge: limit vs market tacticsUse passive limit entries near structural levels and aggressive exits into liquidity. Avoid market entries into thin pre-open auction prints.

Concrete execution rules (checklist)

Pre-market checklist: identify gap size, top 3 headlines, correlated markets (bonds, FX, oil), and pre-open volume trend.
Entry rules: require either structural confirmation (higher high / lower low) or a mean-reversion setup with defined edge-to-risk ratio ≥ 2:1.
Sizing: reduce notional by 25–50% on headline-driven nights; increase only after two clean consecutive edges are realized.
Stops and targets: place stop where edge invalidates (clearly definable price level); scale out at predefined targets; never trade without a stop.
Slippage buffer: add tick buffer to stops and profit targets during thin liquidity opens.

How to test and keep the edge

Backtest regime-specific rules: label historical sessions by overnight gap size and headline events, test mean-reversion vs momentum rules separately.
Forward-test with small capital: run a two-week rolling simulator and log slippage, win rate, and expectancy.
Adaptive rules: codify a volatility threshold that switches you between momentum and fade strategies automatically.

Brief trade plan template

Hypothesis: (e.g., “Overnight tariff headline caused a 0.7% gap that lacks confirmatory volume; first 20 minutes will mean-revert to VWAP.”)
Entry: limit at VWAP + X ticks or on 1-minute reversal candle.
Stop: invalidation beyond the overnight high/low + slippage buffer.
Target: partial at VWAP, final at first structure level.
Size: 50% normal when gap driver = headline; full size only when macro alignment confirmed.

Be systematic: diagnose regime, pick the strategy that historically wins in that regime, enforce execution and risk rules, and iterate from measured data.

Important: Trading commodity futures and options involves a substantial risk of loss.

The recommendations contained in this blog are of opinion only and do not guarantee any profits.

Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.

December Mini DOW

The December mini DJIA chart satisfied its second upside PriceCount objective earlier this month and corrected lower. At this point, IF the chart can resume its rally with new sustained highs, the third count would project a possible run to the 52041 area.

Daily Levels for Oct. 21st, 2025

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Volatility Tips, December Crude Oil, Bollinger Bands & Parabolics, Levels, Reports; Your 5 Important Must-Knows for Trading Futures on October 17th, 2025

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Volatility Pointers

volatility

The last few trading sessions we saw tremendous volatility across many markets.

Here are some ideas to explore during times like these:

1. You don’t have a crystal ball. To think you can buy an ES contract in this volatility and use a 2 point stop in hopes of making 20 points profit is a very low probability event…you would need to buy it at the PEREFECT time for this to happen. Point is, with higher volatility you need to use WIDER stops to give yourself a chance. That may mean using SMALLER trade size.

2. If you are able to, share your read with another trader, it may provide you with a better perspective just by sharing.

3. If you think there is room for a big move or what we call a “runner” – be prepared to for the pullbacks. Use multiple time frames to gain a better perspective and hang in there for the big move, if this is what you think can happen.

4. If you have enough risk capital, try to use multiple contracts, example buying 2 rather than 1. Taking profit on the first part of the position will help you relax and look at what the market is really telling you rather than what you would like it to say. It helps reduce both the fear and the greed.

5. “Plan your trade, trade your plan”

Again, these are just some short pointers, written quickly after today’s session in hopes of helping you when you face a similar situation.

How I like to Use Bollinger Bands and Parabolics for Trade Exits

thumbnail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FGVAEEPfC5nQ%2Fhqdefault

December Crude Oil

December crude oil activated downside PriceCount objectives off the June high. The first count projects a possible slide to the $53 area which would require making a new contract low first. A trade below the early May reactionary low would formally negate the remaining unmet counts to the topside.

Daily Levels for Oct. 17th, 2025

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Price Extremes: Gold, Silver, Crude Oil; December KC Wheat, Levels, Reports; Your 4 Important Must-Knows for Trading Futures on October 16th, 2025

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Cannon Operations

Price Extremes

By Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker

General:

Day 15 of the U.S Government shutdown.

Stock Index Futures:

Dec. stock index futures returned to solid gains late today as markets remained alert over US-China trade tensions and amid hopes for interest rate cuts and strong quarterly earnings results from Wall Street banks. Traders have cemented bets on a rate cut later this month, and odds of a rate cut in December have jumped in recent days to around 96% according to the CME Group FedWatch tool:

Prices Metals:

It’s the broken record metals report. Dec. gold futures rose to new all-time highs today – its 47^th new record of the year – trading up to $4,235.80/ounce intraday.

Alongside gold, Dec. silver rocketed up nearly $2.00/oz. today to set its own all-time record high, trading intraday up to $52.55/ounce. This after yesterday when the contract took out a 45-year-old record closing price of $48.70/ounce, during the time when the Hunt brothers tried to corner the market.

Prices Energies:

November crude oil futures have remained on their lows this week – with a new multi-month intraday low of $58.20/barrel on continued concerns about oversupply and the possible impact on demand of rekindled U.S.-China trade tensions – its fourth day in a row closing below $60/barrel.

Livestock:

Dec. live cattle and Jan. feeder cattle both closed little changed today and within pennies of their own all-time record high closing prices at the close of trading yesterday. Tight supplies and strong feeder markets pushed cash cattle higher and the futures markets followed suit. The supply of cattle has lingered at a near 75-year low, with the closure of the US-Mexico border to Mexican cattle imports further constraining an already tight supply.

December KC Wheat

December KC wheat satisfied its third downside PriceCount objective and reacted with a key reversal higher. It would be normal to get a mean reversion from this level in the form of a consolidation or corrective phase, at least. If the chart can sustain further weakness, we are left with the low percentage fourth count to aim for in the $4.37 area. That we trade down to this level is a realistic target although we have traded that low just 5 years ago.

Daily Levels for Oct. 16th, 2025

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Economic Reports

U.S. government data may be impacted by the shutdown. ‘Tentative’ events are subject to delay, revision, or cancellation

provided by: ForexFactory.com

All times are Central Time ( Chicago)

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At-a-Glance Levels

Gold (GC)

Silver (SI)

Crude Oil (CL)

June Bonds (ZB)

Weekly Market Update: March 16, 2026

By Eli Gal Levy, Series 3 Broker

Technical Picture — SPX

There are 3 ways I see this playing out.

a) The SPX holds and bounces of the 200-day moving average, we get some positive news about the straights of Hormuz and the 200 day is support and the bulls keep on running.

b) The SPX holds the 200-day moving average we get a short-term bounce to the 100 or 50 day moving average or some Fibonacci resistance and we trade back down.

c) The SPX penetrates through the 200-day moving average and we keep on going down. Or we get a bear trap at the 200 day.

OIL

Stagflation Risk Grows

The Fed Is in a Bind

Russell 2000

Private Credit

AI Buildout

Cryptocurrency

A notable milestone: on March 9, the Bitcoin network mined its 20 millionth coin, leaving only 1 million BTC to be issued over the next 114 years.

The Week Ahead: March 16–20, 2026

Economic:

Earnings:

Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Snapshot for March 17th

Daily Levels for March 17th 2026

Economic Reports

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Cannon Futures Weekly Letter

In Today’s Issue #1282

The Week Ahead – Iran Crude Oil, FOMC & More!

Futures 102 – Trading Video – How to Use the RSI while in a Trade

Cannon Edge – Your Futures trading Map for the week ahead!

Hot Market of the Week – May KC – Chicago Wheat Spread

Broker’s Trading System of the Week – Gold Swing Trading System

At-a-Glance Levels

Gold (GC)

Silver (SI)

Crude Oil (CL)

June Bonds (ZB)

What Futures Traders Should Watch This Week

By John Thorpe, Senior Broker

FOMC Rate Decision, Roll into June Equity contracts

Fertilizer and the continuing conflicts in the Middle East.

We’ll see you next week! Please enjoy a safe and memorable weekend.

Futures 102: Using RSI as Your Trade‑Management GPS

Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Insight for the Next Trading Day! Cannon Edge for March 16th 2026

Cannon Edge is our new daily feature designed to give traders a fast, actionable overview of key futures markets.

Each post delivers:

Current price and daily % change

30‑day and 52‑week highs/lows

PROPRIETARY Short‑term and long‑term trend signals

Coverage across equity indices, metals, energies, currencies, and ags

Built for speed. Backed by insight. Powered by CQG.

Hot Market of the Week

May KC – Chicago Wheat Spread

Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Brokers Trading System of the Week

Edvardus – Breakout Gold Trading System SID#:3528

System Description

System Trades Disclosure:

System Description

Actual Monthly Performance

Important Information About this Trading System Analysis

Futures Trading Disclaimer:

If you fail to comply with a request for additional funds within the time prescribed, your position may be liquidated at a loss and you will be liable for any resulting deficit.

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