by Phil Streible
On March 10, 2010 the USDA released its monthly crop production report indicating that carryout for this year’s soybean crop would be at 190 million bushels, down from last months estimate of 210 million bushels. Analysts were widely expecting a range of 194 to 196 million bushels. The USDA also cut production figures [...]

by Aaron Fennell
Many traders want to get into the market, but have a difficult time finding the right opportunity to get in at the desired price. If you place a limit order, it might not get hit. And even if you do have a position on, it can get stopped out due to volatility. Even [...]

by Jeff Friedman
If you are new to futures trading, it can all seem overwhelming. Which fundamental reports should you follow? Which technical analysis techniques will give you an edge? Which markets are the best to trade? There are far too many questions than I can possibly address in this brief article, but I will attempt [...]

by Matt Roma
If you aren’t trading options, you are missing out on a wide range of investment opportunities! Options on futures can offer you the ability to create a customized trading strategy based on your unique viewpoint of market price action, and can offer you the ability to define your risk. Options can give you [...]

The Problem with Commodities ETFs - Seeking Alpha
Services Sector Shows Best Growth in Two Years: ISM Data - MarketWatch
Private Sector Sheds 20,000 Jobs, ADP Says - MarketWatch
Chile Top Refinery Could be Down for a Month - Reuters
Fed Says Economy Stronger in February Despite Snow - Reuters
U.S. Copper Adds to Gains as Euro Advances on Dollar [...]

by Drew Shaw
At its March 2 policy meeting, the Bank of Canada (BOC) maintained its benchmark short-term interest rate at an all-time low of 0.25 percent. It’s been at this level since April 2009, and is not expected to change until the end of the second quarter of this year. The BOC said that the [...]

By Aaron Fennell
One of the benefits of trading futures is that you have a global toolbox to take advantage of an outlook on nearly any market. Often traders get focused on only a couple of the most popular or familiar contracts, but there are a wide range of markets you can consider. The more tools [...]

by Phil Streible
New clients often think they have options figured out, but can’t figure out why they aren’t profitable. They throw an unbelievable sum of money at a particular option, and even though the market moves in their direction, their option wastes away. Gaining an understanding of some the mathematical variables that influence options [...]

Consumer Prices Excluding Food and Energy Fall - AP/Yahoo Finance
Oil Prices up 11 Percent in 2 Weeks - AP/Yahoo Finance
Fed Seeks to Calm Markets After Discount Rate Rise - Reuters
Gold up as Investors Seek Refuge in Bullion - Reuters
USDA Sees Record Corn Crop, but Downturn in Soybeans and Wheat Acres - AgWeb
India Should Take “Urgent” [...]

by Aaron Fennell
The disheartening events taking place in Greece over the past few weeks have been a setback to the global financial recovery. You might be surprised  to learn that Greece’s debt-to-GDP ratio isn’t actually the highest in the Eurozone. It’s interesting to compare countries’ debt-to-GDP ratios, and see how dire the situation really is. [...]