Futures Education & Online Futures Trading

Welcome to the My Stock Market Power futures education center. Investors can utilize the below trading articles to learn about trading futures, commodity futures and futures contracts.

Commodity Futures Contracts - Grains, Livestock, Energy & MetalsLearn about the different type of commodity futures contracts such as grains, livestock, energy, metals, foods, and fibers.
Commodity Pool Operators (CPO) Role & ResponsibilitiesCommodity pool operators is the general partner responsible for overseeing a commodity pool.
Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) - Registered ProfessionalA commodity trading advisor (CTA) is a trading professional that manages futures and or options accounts for investors. The CTA is required to register with the U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission.
E-Mini Futures Contract Pros & ConsAn E-mini futures contract provides a trader the ability to buy the major indicies on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for a fraction of the cost of a full contract.
Forward Contracts Definition & Comparison to Futures ContractsA forward contract is an agreement for the future delivery of an asset at a predetermined price and date.
Futures Clearinghouse Management ResponsibilitiesA futures clearinghouse allows one to close out positions in the futures market without having a real buyer or seller on the other side.
Futures Contract Definition & Margin RequirementsUnderstand what a futures contract is and learn about the key components of trading a futures contract.
Futures Hand Signals Definition and ImagesFutures hand signals make the futures pit much more efficient in the midst of the chaos in the pits.
Futures Trading Pit - Participants & Trading MethodsThe futures trading pit is where futures contracts are traded using the open outcry system for buying and selling contracts.
Index Futures Trading & Contract MonthsIndex futures are created to replicate the performance of the underlying index that the futures contract represents. Index futures exists for many global stock markets such as the S&P500, DOW Jones Industrial Average, Russell 2000, German DAX, London's FTSE, French CAC40, and other established world markets
Interest Rate Futures Contracts ExplainedAn interest rate futures contract allows the buyer of the contract to lock in a future investment rate.
Introduction to Futures TradingA futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a contract sometime in the future. Futures contracts have been around in tradable markets for hundreds of years and can date back as far as rice grain futures in Japan.
Limit Down Definition & How It Affects MarginLimit down is the maximum amount a futures contract can move in one trading day. Limit downs have been put in place to prevent markets from collapsing on themselves. Many markets will halt trading in a contract or slow down the flow of orders until the price backs away from the limit down level.
Managed Futures Account - Alternative Investment A managed futures account (MFA) is an alternative investment strategy where an investor allows a professional money manager known as a commodity trading advisors (CTA) to invest funds in the global futures markets.
Margin Requirement Impact on Commodity PriceThe margin requirement impact on commodity price is in discussion quite a bit these days with the increase of gas prices. However, the government's attempt at controlling the number of speculators may have little affect.
National Futures Association - Regulation AgencyThe National Futures Association (NFA) is responsible for regulating and monitoring all futures activity within the United States of America.
Open OutcryLearn about the open outcry system used in the trading pits to call out orders.
Spot PriceThe spot price or spot rate is the actual price of a security at an exact moment in time. Unlike futures which estimate the value of a security "x" days in the future, traders use this value to gauge the current supply and demand of a security
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Definition and HistoryThe Commodities Futures Trading Commission was founded in 1975 and is empowered by the U.S. government to monitor and regulate trading of futures contracts.