This may sound like a ridiculously simple subject to write about, but I suspect you would be shocked by how many traders, if pressed, could not come up with a plausible answer when asked to define a futures contract. For the purpose of this article I am going to confine our discussion to financial futures contracts, though there are futures contracts that can be purchased on a wide range of commodities.Lets start by saying that a financial...more
The Euro continues to climb as the Dollar continues to weaken. This market movement is mirrored almost across the board as every other asset class continues to strengthen. Essentially repeating the trend of 2009. But what will happen to the Dollar? The Chinese administration probably sees little need to change its economic policy just yet. China does not want to see a floating Yuan for the damage this would do to its huge UD Dollar holdings. In...more
Gold has been a very interesting product of late, especially for anyone who invested in it. However, it is not all one way traffic. Despite its seemingly never ending upward trend gold can be rather volatile on a day-to-day basis.Only a few weeks ago all the equity markets were looking nervous and many traders sought the so-called safety of gold. That spike left sellers of gold looking over their shoulders.The trend higher is still very much in place and, with everyone wondering which currency should be the weakest, rather than the strongest, gold remains a haven for frightened money.A clear problem for anyone speculating on gold at these very high prices is, that whilst gold continues to grind higher, the buying remains investor-based rather than consumer-based. If that is the case then we will see continued volatility in this metals market.So how can you take advantage and trade the gold market? Personally, I use a spread betting account; an account which lets you open and close bets quickly. It also allows you to speculate on the markets to go up if I think that is what is going to happen. However, it also lets you speculate on them to go down.If I want to bet on gold to...more
With the world in recovery mode, many people are still questioning how the markets got so out of control. They are also questioning something a little closer to home; their own finances.If we were to be honest with ourselves, then we should probably accept that we can improve on at least a couple of the following; tax efficient investments, long...more
Gold has experienced a spectacular rise recently. I say recently, the metal has been trending upwards for months.With limited supply, the pressure should always be easier to apply to the upside. However, if this were the only argument then precious metals prices should never really fall.Perhaps the market is not particularly overbought at the...more
The increasing strength in world economic data does not seem to be translating, just yet, into more demand for crude. While peak oil is a phrase on everyones lips it must be said that production from many parts of the globe is currently artificially constrained.Producers seem willing to turn on the taps above $75, as a sort of profitable-commitment to world growth. While everyone blamed the financial institutions for the collapse in the global economy the impact of $147 per barrel of oil was not exactly a helpful factor.Looking at the day-to-day trend more closely, oil looks to have found a ceiling as it struggles to get beyond the $80 level.Whenever there is any strength in the US Dollar that has naturally led to weakness in oil prices as investors close positions, very much a flight from risk.Strength in the equity markets and weakness in the Dollar normally translates into rising Oil prices. Although we are still seeing some good market rallies, it seems that dealers are less confident than in times past.The failure to break permanently above $80 may be worrying the Crude Oil bulls a bit as all the normal impetus required seemed to be in place. If the Dollar starts to...more
Try to ask yourself how much do you know about option trading? Can you explain the distinction between "long" and "short"; "call" and "put"?If so, can you offer a good description of the right strategies to use during a "bear market"? And how about...more
Managing a financial institution in todays market is a tough job to have. With the housing and mortgage industry down the types of loans being offered are changing daily and sometimes disappearing all together. As a consumer its frustrating and as a...more
I often get a chuckle when I see trading programs that claim you can make money in both up and down markets. Of course you can, when the market is going up you are long a position, and when the market is going down you are short a position. Its...more
Leasing a vehicle is generally considered as more beneficial than to purchase it and if you are looking for a commercial truck on lease basis then plenty of leasing services is available. Finding useful and required leasing service providers is the...more
Author: Steve SelengutFrom the end of 1999 through the end of 2009, all of the popular Wall Street market performance measurement tools were in the red. The average bloodletting level of the DJIA, the S & P 500, and the NASDAQ was a...more
In order to be a successful Forex affiliate, you really need to plan ahead. Set a schedule and follow it, meet your goals. Not very complicated steps, but considering you are going to work on this from the comfort of your own home, there is a...more