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Futures
Chart of the Day: Gold is Pushing $2,000

Chart of the Day: Gold is Pushing $2,000

Gold has consolidated for more than two years, and now it may be inching toward a breakout. The first pattern on today’s weekly chart is the rally in October between roughly $1,812 and $2,000. That move broke a falling trendline from the summer when bond yields were...

Oil’s Fundamentals Could Be Weakening After a Big Surge

Oil’s Fundamentals Could Be Weakening After a Big Surge

Energy stocks and crude oil were among the market's best performers in the third quarter, but fundamentals may be weakening. The sector started climbing in late June as Energy Department data showed crude-oil inventories remaining near long-term lows. The Strategic...

Chart of the Day: Will Crude Oil Run Again?

Chart of the Day: Will Crude Oil Run Again?

Crude-oil futures are having their worst week since March, but some traders might think about buying the pullback. The first pattern on today’s chart is the price area around 83.50. It represented the peak in December and April. It’s also near the spot where ... For...

What Are the Top Contracts for Futures Traders?

What Are the Top Contracts for Futures Traders?

(This post was updated March 20, 2023.) Futures are derivatives that track products like the S&P 500, crude oil, Treasury bonds and gold. Traders use futures to position for rallies and drops, with the ability to place orders most times of the day. These extended...

Futures 101: The Difference Between Trading Stocks and Futures

Futures 101: The Difference Between Trading Stocks and Futures

Not well-versed in the futures market? Scared about a new kind of advanced product? Here are some basic points to get started. Futures are different from traditional stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) because they track an index. You don't own anything. You...

Diagnosing the Coronavirus Selloff: Just How Bad Is It?

Diagnosing the Coronavirus Selloff: Just How Bad Is It?

Editor's note: This article was originally published on February 25, 2020. Stocks continued their selloff on Tuesday as coronavirus spreads around the world. Here are some facts on what it means for your money. First, this pullback is now a "big one." The S&P 500...

One Bearish Story After Another Seems to Be Hitting Crude Oil

One Bearish Story After Another Seems to Be Hitting Crude Oil

Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 22, 2020. Energy may be resuming its downtrend as one bearish story after another piles up. Crude oil futures (@CL) are down for the third straight week. That's the longest losing streak since they last...

Is Inflation Peaking? Here Are Some Signs Prices May Be Cooling

Is Inflation Peaking? Here Are Some Signs Prices May Be Cooling

Inflation has plagued the stock market all year, especially with two searing reports last week. But there could be signs of the price spiral coming under control. The first sign of cooling inflation is the drop in gasoline prices. The American Automotive Association...