Futures

Understanding the basics of futures. This is a brief futures 101 defining what are futures.

Treasury bonds are boring, right? Wrong. For traders, they represent a market that can be bigger than stocks.

SPX and S&P 500 futures don’t always move up and down together. Which one should you look at if you want to know what the market might be doing?

Want to learn about commodities trading, or how to invest in commodities? Start with this overview.

Trading bond futures may not be as risky as you think. A step-by-step guide that explains bond futures contract specs, pricing, and margin can go a long way. Walk through a 10-day bond trade and get a feel for day-to-day price action in the bond futures markets.

Learn the differences between equity options and options on futures contracts, and how experienced options traders can use futures options to enhance their trading.

Learn how the VIX, VIX futures, VIX options and the VVIX work together to help traders increase market awareness and make more informed option trading decisions.

West Texas Intermediate and North Sea Brent: What’s the difference between these two global crude oil benchmarks?

Explore real examples of initial margin & maintenance margin calls. Dive into the mechanics of margin multipliers in futures contract margin.

Interested in learning about futures contracts? Here's a primer on multipliers, tick size, and other futures contracts specifications.

At first glance, futures trading may seem complex. Let's explore what goes into trading futures contracts.

The foreign exchange ("forex") market is traded around the globe, virtually around the clock. Find out if the forex market is right for you with this retail forex guide for beginners.

Options on futures are quite similar to their equity option cousins, but a few differences do exist.

Learn the fundamentals of grain, energy and other markets, and how to follow prices using futures markets.

Learn how futures contracts can help experienced traders and investors pursue their objectives while tying up less capital.

Find out more about investing in Commodity ETFs including what they are, things to research, and some of the common types of these investment products.

Is trading the overnight session in futures or foreign exchange right for you? Find out volume patterns, international open and close times, and more.

Arbitrary entry and exit points in futures trading can be futile—learn how to place your trades using a price range based on volatility and probability.

Silver futures are higher by about 42% year-to-date. Learn why silver is trending higher and demand might be growing for precious metals.

Volume profile provides clues about price in different ways, use it to take a peek at support and resistance levels by looking at high and low volume nodes.

Coffee may wake you up in the morning, and coffee can perk up a portfolio, too. Learn how investors can gain exposure to coffee and diversify a portfolio.

Have you ever wondered what else can be traded in an individual retirement account (IRA) besides stocks and bonds? Learn how to trade futures in an IRA.

Potential strategies for a depressed VIX—When volatility is low, learn how to hedge a trader's version of "yield" by trading volatility as an asset class.

Don't be caught on the wrong side of a trade—consider managing risk in futures trading with certain options spreads, futures and calendar, to hedge.

Basis trading is a third dimension open to aspiring futures traders to trade without speculating on direction, working with the gamut of futures products.

Economists and pundits like to pontificate on if and when the Federal Reserve will raise ultra-low short-term interest rates. But there’s an easier way to get a reading on Fed moves, and it’s right under your nose.

If you’re in a position you can’t access while in a locked-limit scenario, consider constructing a synthetic futures contract to offset your position.

Look to futures market calendar spreads and intermarket spreads to potentially lower the risk of fast-moving, directional markets.

Just what happens when futures contracts expire? Understanding settlement is one of the biggest hurdles to learning futures trading.

Thinking about taking your options knowledge into the world of futures? Keep these differences in mind as you get started.

Only pros care about interest-rate trading, and bonds are boring, right? Not so fast. There’s more to them than meets the eye. Pros don't have all the fun.

Riding the slope of the yield curve can pay off for Treasury futures traders who care more about the difference in interest rate changes than the direction they’re heading.

Market bubbles will always happen, but it’s important for investors to recognize herd mentality and other signs of speculative frenzy.

If you recently started trading futures, you may have some burning questions. Burn no more...

I was happy when CBOE VIX futures were added to TD Ameritrade’s thinkorswim® platform. So, it’s not running with the bulls in Pamplona. But I’m a trader...

The nuts and bolts of futures calendar spreads are a bit different than their equity-option cousins.

If you’ve been around the futures-trading universe, you might’ve heard of Monkey Bars. Funny name. Serious chart concept for swing traders.

If you've ever wondered what index futures are, how to trade them, or why you'd trade them in the first place, wonder no more.

Yes, you can have a derivative on a derivative. But don’t let that scare you. Options on futures may be easier to understand than you think.

Forget about inflation. There's probably a futures contract to hedge your everyday consumption. Let's dive into a little Futures Trading 101.

If you're new to trading futures, keep your eye on three critical reports: Petroleum Status Report, U.S. Treasury Auctions, and USDA Crop Reports. Here's why.

Futures’ time has come. And with it, so has the technology to trade them. If you're new to futures, let's start with the basics.