The Multifaceted World of Equity Options: A Dive Into Utility
From straddles and strangles to ratio spreads and condors, CME Group equity index options are rife with strategies tailored to different market conditions.
Release date: 11/22/2023
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Battery Metals Prices Are Falling. Will Demand Catch Up to Supply?
Open interest for battery metals lithium and cobalt has surged, even as their prices have tumbled by up to 75% from their 2022 peaks amid faltering demand for electric vehicles. What’s behind the big increase in OI?
Release date: 11/21/2023
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Gold Volatility Rises as Expectations Change
Concern for an extreme move in gold reached its highest point in over a year in early October, according to the CVOL Index. That coincided with the recent price surge.
Release date: 11/15/2023
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Higher Rates Are Affecting Everything
Holding rates higher could mark the beginning of a new era for Fed policy. What does that mean for major asset classes?
Release date: 11/14/2023
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What China’s Growing Appetite for Natural Gas Means for World Markets
Some of China’s growing demand for LNG has been met through higher domestic production. But looking ahead, the country is increasingly turning toward imports from Russia and long-term supply agreements with U.S. projects on Henry Hub.
Release date: 11/14/2023
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The Case of Round Numbers
In financial markets, round numbers can’t seem to hold; either there is a decisive breakthrough or a big move backward. Take the 5% yield on 10-year U.S. Treasurys. Is it a ceiling or a floor?
Release date: 11/08/2023
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Why Are Equity Traders Using Shorter-Dated Options?
There are a lot of competing macroeconomic tensions on the horizon, not only in the U.S. but across the globe. And you’re going to see that manifest in options.
Release date: 11/07/2023
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What’s Behind the Commodities Slump?
Many commodity prices have experienced downward pressure in 2023. What factors are behind this weakness?
Release date: 11/01/2023
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Has Inflation Reached an Inflection Point?
What role will rising global tensions and advanced technology like generative AI play in inflation?
Release date: 10/31/2023
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The Aussie Dollar Is Tied to China’s Outlook
The Aussie dollar has recently been more volatile than other major currencies due in part to 2 shifting factors: Chinese demand and U.S. interest rates.
Release date: 10/25/2023
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The Risks Ahead for Gold in a High-Rate Environment
In a high-rate environment, what are the real risks for gold?
Release date: 10/24/2023
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Tracking Volatility in 10- and 30-Year Treasurys
Treasury options traders began pricing the 2-year yield risk to the downside and the 10- and 30-year to the upside beginning in July, signaling a move that became reality in early October.
Release date: 10/24/2023
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Why the US Is ‘Front and Center’ of Global Oil Trade
The shale boom and lifting of the crude oil export ban helped the U.S. exert far more influence on global crude markets.
Release date: 10/18/2023
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A New Equity Index Options Volatility Cycle?
For 3 decades, implied volatility and yield curves have been locked in a repeating cycle. Recently, implied volatility on S&P 500 options has been exceptionally low. Is that about to change?
Release date: 10/17/2023
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How Managing Mortgage Risk Has Evolved Since the Financial Crisis
Mortgage-backed securities safeguards and risk management tools have evolved since 2008, strengthening the market supporting U.S. homeownership.
Release date: 10/11/2023
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A Pivotal Time for Risk Management
4 economic transitions have the potential to increase volatility in some markets, which is why active risk management has become more critical than ever.
Release date: 10/10/2023
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How India’s Monsoon Season Affects Gold Prices
A good monsoon season can drive physical gold demand in India, especially in the country’s agricultural areas, where incomes are dependent on sufficient rainfall.
Release date: 10/04/2023
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Are Threats to the USD’s Role as a Reserve Currency Real?
The 15th BRICS summit concluded in August with invitations to six countries to join as full members. If this bloc, focused on securing its place in the global financial landscape, continues to grow, could the U.S. dollar’s dominance be at risk?
Release date: 10/03/2023
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What Next for Gold?
As prospects for a recession remain blurry, so does the path for gold prices.
Release date: 10/02/2023
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Dissecting the New Market for Mortgage-Backed Securities
New TBA futures are a welcome tool to manage risk in the mortgage-backed securities market, says industry veteran Paul Van Valkenberg. “When there is upheaval, there are going to be people on the other side who can help continue the liquidity in the market.”
Release date: 09/27/2023
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What Does China’s Food Security Push Mean for Soybean Prices?
China is currently the world’s largest importer of soybeans, accounting for nearly 60% of world trade. Its push to be more self-sufficient has significant implications for global soybean prices.
Release date: 09/26/2023
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The Return of Commodity Currencies
Commodity currencies suffered when prices for oil and other raw materials fell from their 2022 peaks. Many of them are now bouncing back.
Release date: 09/20/2023
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Why Crude Oil Traders Are Focusing on the Short Term
Higher volatility, increased event risk and the rising cost of capital are all contributing to growth in WTI crude oil weekly options trading.
Release date: 09/19/2023
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Why the FedWatch Tool Became a Key Interest Rates Indicator
FedWatch, a tool from CME Group, has become a favorite indicator to assess where overnight rates will go.
Release date: 09/12/2023
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How WTI Redrew Crude Oil Trade Routes
The shale boom and lifting of the crude oil export ban helped the U.S. exert far more influence on global crude markets.
Release date: 08/21/2023
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The Oil Contract That Continues to Drive Commerce
For 40 years, WTI crude oil futures have remained resilient through times of market calm and stress.
Release date: 06/13/2023
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Biofuels Pivot to Asia
In the quest to meet environmental goals, Asian countries are turning to domestic biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
Release date: 05/18/2023
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Cobalt and Lithium—a Tale of Two Battery Metals
Cobalt supply constraints in the Democratic Republic of Congo are presenting risks to the market. Changes in battery chemistry could have an even larger long-term impact.
Release date: 05/17/2023
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Commercial Real Estate Under Pressure
With housing vacancy rates in the United States at near record lows, the epicenter of any real estate downturn this time around might be centered in commercial and not residential.
Release date: 05/11/2023
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How Does Gold Perform With Inflation, Stagflation and Recession?
Is gold an inflation hedge? A look at how the current environment compares to the 1970s era of high inflation and stagflation.
Release date: 05/10/2023
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For Farmers, an Uncertain Crop Season Awaits
U.S. farmers are expected to plant more acres in 2023. Will they see continued high demand by the time harvest season arrives?
Release date: 05/04/2023
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The Flight to Crypto Quality: Risk Management at Center Stage
Following the collapse of crypto firms and bank failures, more participants are looking to futures to trade crypto.
Release date: 05/03/2023
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A Connection Between Commodities
Historically, the price of energy has a direct link to grain markets. But which energy product is the best one to look at for a connection?
Release date: 04/27/2023
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How Equity Market Sectors Are Evolving
Changes to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) adjusted the sector weights in the S&P 500. Here’s why investors should pay attention.
Release date: 04/26/2023
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Green Metals Shaping the Energy Transition
Electric vehicle demand poses a challenge for copper supply, with a 10 million-metric-ton deficit possible by 2035. 3 experts share what the future might hold.
Release date: 04/20/2023
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U.S. Farmers Look to More Variables in Weather
As farmers look ahead to growing season, more are looking to short-term tools to manage price volatility. “You can be a little more responsive to changing conditions.”
Release date: 04/19/2023
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How Housing Demand Sparked a Wild Ride for Lumber
A decade of imbalanced supply and demand for lumber led to a perfect storm that was unleashed during the pandemic. Could prices spike again?
Release date: 04/13/2023
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Paradigm Shifts From Economic Disruptions
An economic disruption usually begets a period of reassessment, then changed behavior. In the currency world, central bank policies are shifting, but not in a synchronized manner.
Release date: 04/12/2023
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The Year Crude Oil Markets Embraced Something New
Forty years after the launch of WTI crude oil futures, a pioneer oil trader discusses their importance to global oil markets.
Release date: 04/11/2023
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A Complicated Dilemma
Is what happened with the banking sector a harbinger of what’s to come? And does this mean tighter credit conditions?
Release date: 04/06/2023
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How CPI Drives Interest Rate Volatility
Movements in interest rate volatility in the day and week following CPI releases are revealing some distinct patterns.
Release date: 04/05/2023
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4 Key Questions on European Overnight Rates
Overnight interest rates are critical to the health of any financial system. We visualize how 2 key rates in Europe are responding to central bank policy.
Release date: 03/30/2023
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How WTI Became the Most Important Commodity Contract on the Planet
As the WTI crude oil futures contract hits 40 years since launch, it shows no sign of slowing down. Oil demand is expected to continue to grow over the coming years as countries industrialize, so the need for a reliable price benchmark has never been greater.
Release date: 03/29/2023
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U.S. Crude Oil Exports to EU Support WTI as Global Benchmark
With Russian crude oil exports to the EU declining, U.S. crude oil grades are increasingly exported to the region, raising the global profile of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil.
Release date: 03/23/2023
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3 Risks to Watch Ahead of Planting Season
Increased Brazilian corn production is a risk that U.S. farmers can’t overlook. “Brazil is an agricultural powerhouse. And I think ignoring that is unwise.”
Release date: 03/22/2023
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What Rugby Can Teach Us About the Power of Data
Antony Lee, analytics head for Saracens Rugby Club, shares how data helps us understand behavior in sports and trading.
Release date: 03/21/2023
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What the SPR Refill Means for Oil Futures
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, built to alleviate domestic supply shortages, has been depleted by about 27% in less than a year. The Department of Energy has a plan to refill it, but will it be enough?
Release date: 03/16/2023
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Oats: From the Original Energy Contract to Trendy Dairy Alternative
Oat milk retail sales increased over 50% in the year ending June 2022, a sign of oats’ growing consumer popularity and heightened overall demand.
Release date: 03/15/2023
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The Return of Travel Could Drive Oil in 2021
The number of passengers flowing through U.S. Transportation Security Authority (TSA) security check points has shrunk to levels about 60% below pre-pandemic numbers.
Release date: 11/13/2020
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What Commodity Performance Tells Us About Economic Recovery
Within the various commodity sectors there are certain products that have outperformed others as the market recovered.
Release date: 11/12/2020
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A Big Moment Arrives for SOFR
SOFR takes its place as “a critical part” of the risk management framework for cleared swap market participants.
Release date: 11/05/2020
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Lessons From the 2016 Election Market Response
The autumn of 2020 shows significantly more volatility than the same period in 2016 due to the global pandemic and other factors.
Release date: 11/05/2020
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A Look at Historical Market Patterns in Election Years
Volatility tends to rise in October ahead of an election, but often subsides if the outcome is decisive. Our roundtable examines recent elections’ impact on markets.
Release date: 11/03/2020
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What Is the Role of Gold in 2020?
The rise in gold in 2020 is due in part to central bank actions and economic turmoil.
Release date: 10/28/2020
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Climate Change Could Present New Challenges for California’s Water Market
Agriculture and urban use compete for supply in California’s $1.1 billion water market.
Release date: 10/27/2020
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California’s Complex Water Market Faces New Challenges
The supply and demand of California water are geographically and seasonally disconnected, a trend that could be exacerbated by climate change.
Release date: 10/27/2020
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China’s Appetite for Meat Is Still Growing
Pork consumption in China is set to be double that for all European Union countries combined in 2020.
Release date: 10/22/2020
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The Markets Impacted by Increased Housing Demand
Lumber and copper are a great gauge of the health and direction of the housing industry, and both have surged in 2020.
Release date: 10/21/2020
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Why Equity Traders Are Preparing for Prolonged Volatility
The S&P 500 had rallied 64% off of the March lows before falling 3.9% in September.
Release date: 10/15/2020
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Equity Traders Are Preparing for Prolonged Volatility
The S&P rallied 64% off of the March lows before falling 3.9% in September.
Release date: 10/15/2020
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Can Used Cooking Oil Help Reduce Climate Change?
Waste oils have a bright future in the energy sector with governments seeing them as a way of tackling the issue of climate change.
Release date: 10/14/2020
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Can Used Restaurant Oil Help Reduce Climate Change?
Europe imports around 1.4 million tons per year of used cooking oils with China as the largest supplier.
Release date: 10/14/2020
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New Pricing Is Emerging for Gulf Coast Crude Oil
Oil market participants may have found a way to link the most liquid crude oil benchmark in the world, WTI Futures, to waterborne markets.
Release date: 10/08/2020
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How New Pricing Is Emerging for Gulf Coast Crude Oil
Further linking WTI crude oil pricing to Gulf Coast markets will provide oil market participants with direct access to waterborne markets.
Release date: 10/08/2020
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Pork Markets Are Evolving With Global Demand
Over a quarter of global pork production was exported in 2019. As the export market matures, so too has pork market pricing.
Release date: 10/07/2020
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Why Micro Futures Contracts Are Seeing Global Adoption
Options on the popular micro Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures contracts launched in August.
Release date: 09/30/2020
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Road Trips Are Changing American Travel
Spending patterns are changing as more Americans stay closer to home for vacations and choose road trips over flying.
Release date: 09/29/2020
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Global Demand Continues to Threaten U.S. Oil Exports
The U.S. is exporting far less oil than it was in 2019, and crude oil prices saw a steady decline through the summer.
Release date: 09/23/2020
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Financial Market Data Is Moving to the Cloud
Experts agree the march to the cloud is a process. But it’s being kickstarted by the shift to remote work during the current pandemic.
Release date: 09/22/2020
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The Canadian Dollar Takes a New Path vs. the U.S. Dollar
The Canadian dollar hit a multiyear low against the U.S. dollar in March 2020.
Release date: 09/17/2020
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A New Options Tool for Trading Around Economic Releases
The new Micro E-mini option contracts on both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 will provide participants another tool to express their views on the equity market.
Release date: 09/16/2020
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Copper Is Bouncing Back in China
Copper has long played an important role in China’s economy. Currently, the country is the world’s biggest importer of copper, accounting for 43% of global copper ore imports.
Release date: 09/10/2020
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The Trade War and a Changing Market for Soybeans
The outlook for U.S. soybeans has improved, with exports forecast to rise in 2021.
Release date: 09/08/2020
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COVID Response Boosts Green Metals
Copper and the platinum group metals are used heavily in wind energy and cleaner vehicles.
Release date: 09/02/2020
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The Sustainability of U.S. Debt
Despite record spending, the dollar has only decreased 7%-8% as measured against the basket of currencies in the dollar index.
Release date: 09/01/2020
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Longer-Term Securities Define the Record $3 Trillion U.S. Debt Issuance
U.S. debt issuance reached a record of nearly $3 trillion for the second quarter, with $947 billion expected for the third quarter.
Release date: 08/26/2020
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What Data Do Traders Use in a Pandemic?
The disconnect between stock markets and the economy creates tough decisions for traders looking for market-moving data.
Release date: 08/25/2020
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Two Reasons Why Brazil Has Emerged as a Global Leader in Soybean Production
Brazil has become the world’s top producer and exporter of soybeans by developing more land and building infrastructure.
Release date: 08/20/2020
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FAANG Growth Could Taper in the Months Ahead. Here’s What Investors Need to Know
The FAANG stocks are all up more than 20% this year as stay-at-home life embraces technology.
Release date: 08/19/2020
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North America’s Major Oil Hub Is Seeing a Significant Drawdown in Stocks
The crude oil hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, provides the physical delivery mechanism for the benchmark WTI futures contract.
Equity markets have made a V-shaped recovery, can the U.S. economy follow?
Release date: 07/14/2020
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Equities, Follow the Narrative
After a tumultuous first half of 2020, how will equities perform the rest of the year?
Release date: 07/07/2020
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Evolving Supply Chains
Will the reconstruction of supply chains lead to higher costs?
Release date: 06/30/2020
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Can Lower Rates Help Russia Recover?
Low inflation and a stable currency may allow for further rate cuts in Russia.
Release date: 06/23/2020
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Can Anything Catch Up to the Tech Sector?
FAANG stocks make up 40% of the Nasdaq, which reached all-time highs in June. Will the S&P 500 and Dow catch up?
Release date: 06/18/2020
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Data Anomalies
Data for hourly wages and savings have diverged from the norm.
Release date: 06/17/2020
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Are Stocks Disconnected From the Economy?
Fed liquidity and a reliance on tech has helped stocks move toward record levels despite high unemployment.
Release date: 06/11/2020
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Copper Futures See a Surge in Trading from Asia
While copper prices plummeted, market participation during Asia trading hours accelerated.
Release date: 06/10/2020
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A New Era in Productivity
The COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a new era of increased corporate efficiency and innovation.
Release date: 06/09/2020
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Central Banks Stimulus & OPEC Meeting
Is more stimulus on its way?
Release date: 06/04/2020
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ESG Investing Is Gaining Steam in 2020
The S&P 500 ESG Index has outperformed the benchmark S&P 500 over the past year.
Release date: 06/03/2020
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Do Negative Rates Strengthen Currencies?
Are negative rates a tightening or loosening of monetary policy, and how do they impact currencies and credit flow?
Release date: 06/02/2020
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Fed Ramps Up Asset Purchases
The Fed’s vast asset purchases are aimed at managing the yield curve.
Release date: 05/26/2020
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Economist Perspective: Fed Policy Responses
Unlike an initially hesitant Fed during the Great Depression, the central bank has been swift and decisive to support the financial system this time around.
Release date: 05/19/2020
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Economist Perspective: A Clash of Narratives
The global economy seems to be entering a transition period with competing market narratives.
Release date: 05/12/2020
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Economist Perspective: Consumer Prices Set to Fall, Mute Inflation?
Will inflation wither with consumer demand?
Release date: 05/06/2020
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European Repo Demonstrates Its Resilience
European repo activity in March averaged more than €284 billion per day.
Release date: 05/05/2020
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5 Behaviors That May Change in an Economic Rebound
Travel, saving and spending habits will likely change once the rebound from the COVID-19 crisis begins.
Release date: 04/30/2020
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Are Safe Havens Always Safe?
Traditionally, gold has had a negative correlation with equities, making it a go-to in times of market stress.
Release date: 04/29/2020
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Economist Perspective: A New Approach to Earnings Season?
Moving away from traditional number crunching to focus more on cash flow, dividends and rebuilding prospects might offer better insights into corporate earnings this season.