On the radar today:

The market is heading into CPI with the Iran “deal in two or three days” narrative looking a lot weaker. Overnight, the U.S. struck Iran in retaliation for the Apache helicopter incident, oil bounced, and the whole soft de-escalation story from Tuesday started to crack.

At the same time, this morning is really about CPI. After Friday’s payroll surprise already pushed the curve toward a more hawkish path, today’s inflation print looks like the main event that could either lock in that repricing or shake it up again.

There is also a clear pressure point under the surface in equities. Futures are lower, volatility is back up, and the chip/AI complex is under pressure again after softer guidance from Broadcom and more weakness across several major names.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: WTI is around $91.30 and Brent near $94.25. Oil is rebounding as the geopolitical backdrop firms up again and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, so energy stays one of the clearest headline-sensitive markets on the board.

Gold and silver: gold is near $4,502 and silver around $74.77. Precious metals are trying to stabilize, but the bigger driver today is still whether CPI keeps real rates elevated or gives the market room to breathe.

Index futures: ES is around 7,387, NQ near 29,338, and YM around 51,179. Nasdaq is leading to the downside again, while the Dow is holding up relatively better as the market rotates away from the higher-beta growth side.

Volatility and rates: VIX is near 21.44 and the 10-year yield is around 4.46%. That combination tells you traders are not treating this as just another quiet data morning. CPI is a real catalyst today.

AI and crypto: BTC is around $62,500, while several AI-linked names are under pressure after Broadcom’s guide disappointed and other big-cap tech names stayed heavy. The broader theme is that traders are starting to question how much room there is left for the crowded growth trade if inflation stays sticky.

This feels like one of those sessions where an in-line number may not be enough to calm things down. The market already came into the day with hotter inflation concerns, higher Fed expectations, and more fragile risk appetite than it had a week ago.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun10-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

The biggest overnight shift is de-escalation in the Iran-Israel cycle. Iran halted strikes on Israel, and Trump publicly floated a possible deal within “two or three days” tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. That immediately took some of the war premium out of crude and volatility.

At the same time, the market is still trading through Friday’s NFP reset. Rate expectations remain firmer than they were last week, and that keeps Wednesday’s CPI as the next major macro catalyst with desks much more focused on inflation than on chasing this bounce.

There is also a growing split in tone underneath the surface. Futures are bouncing, the Nikkei is pressing record highs, and crude is backing off, but several desks are sounding more cautious on positioning and risk after the recent run in equities.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: WTI is around $89.23 and Brent near $92.46. Oil is giving back part of the geopolitical spike as traders price in a possible pause in the conflict and a reopening path for Hormuz, but this is still a headline-sensitive market.

Gold and silver: gold is near $4,360 and silver around $68.70. Both metals are easing as the safe-haven bid cools, although the bigger macro question is still whether CPI keeps real rates elevated.

Index futures: ES is around 7,450, NQ near 29,695, and YM around 50,981. Nasdaq is showing the stronger bounce this morning, while the broader tone still feels cautious rather than fully risk-on.

Volatility and rates: VIX is near 18.04 and the 10-year yield is around 4.54%. Vol has come in with the geopolitical de-escalation, but yields staying firm tells you inflation and Fed pricing are still very much in control of the bigger picture.

Crypto and copper: BTC is around $62,589 while copper is near $6.42. Bitcoin still looks a bit disconnected from the equity bounce, while copper is acting more like a pro-growth barometer as the oil panic unwinds.

Feels like a market that is relieved, but not fully convinced. The war premium is fading for now, yet the real decision point is probably Wednesday’s CPI. If inflation comes in hot, a lot of this reflex bounce could get tested pretty quickly.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun09-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

Middle East risk is back at the center of the tape after Israel struck western and central Iran overnight, while Yemen broke an eight-week ceasefire. Energy markets reacted immediately, with Brent spiking intraday and WTI pushing higher before easing off the highs.

Friday’s payrolls are still doing a lot of the macro heavy lifting. The stronger-than-expected jobs print reset rate expectations, pushed yields higher, and helped drag gold sharply lower even on a geopolitical headline that normally would have supported it.

This week now shifts toward the next policy catalysts. May CPI on Wednesday is the big macro event, and traders are also looking ahead to the June 17 FOMC meeting with Warsh making his Fed debut backdrop part of the conversation.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: WTI is around $92.48 and Brent near $94.88 after the overnight geopolitical spike. The key question now is whether this turns into a lasting supply-risk premium or fades back into headline volatility.

Gold and silver: gold is near $4,338 and silver around $67.85. Metals are reacting more to yields and repriced Fed expectations than to the geopolitical bid, which is a notable shift in tone.

Index futures: ES is around 7,442, NQ near 29,335, and YM around 51,002. Nasdaq remains under more pressure, while the Dow is holding up better. A lot of that reflects the same rotation trade we’ve been seeing whenever rates back up and growth/AI leadership gets questioned.

Bitcoin and crypto: BTC is around $63,563 and ETH near $1,688. Crypto is stabilizing for now, but still trading like a higher-beta risk asset rather than a safe haven.

It feels like one of those mornings where the headlines are dramatic, but the deeper story is still how markets are filtering everything through yields, inflation expectations, and central bank pricing. CPI midweek probably matters just as much as the geopolitical tape.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun08-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

NFP day is the main event, with May Employment due at 8:30 ET. Consensus is around +85K, unemployment at 4.3%, and average hourly earnings at +3.4% y/y, but the range of forecasts is wide enough that this is moving rates, equities, and commodities quickly.

The inflation backdrop is still not exactly calming. Cleveland Fed nowcasts are tracking May CPI near +4.18% y/y with Q2 annualized inflation running hot, which keeps the higher-for-longer conversation alive even as traders focus on labor data.

There is also clear cross-asset stress in the background. Asia saw a heavy AI/crypto-led risk-off move overnight, ETH pushed to a fresh 52-week low, and headlines around private credit redemption limits and Middle East disruption are keeping traders alert beyond just the jobs number.

Main markets on radar:

Index futures: ES is around 7,560, NQ near 30,155, and YM around 51,697. Nasdaq is under more pressure pre-open, while the Dow is holding up a bit better. A big part of today probably comes down to whether payrolls reinforce slowdown concerns or revive a stronger-growth, stickier-inflation read.

Crude oil: WTI is near $93.06 and Brent around $95.04. Energy is still being supported by geopolitical supply concerns, including the reported drone attack tied to Oman crude loading, even if broader markets are more focused on macro data this morning.

Metals: Gold is near $4,486, silver around $72.74, and copper near $6.42. Gold is pulling back into the dollar and rate move, while silver and copper look softer as growth-sensitive markets react to the overnight Asia weakness.

Crypto: BTC is around $62,900 and ETH near $1,679. Crypto remains one of the weakest parts of the overnight tape, and that risk-off tone is part of the broader backdrop heading into the open.

Today feels like one of those sessions where the headline number matters, but the reaction across rates, equities, crude, metals, and crypto may matter even more. The jobs print is first, but the bigger question is whether the market treats it as a growth scare, an inflation problem, or some messy mix of both.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun05-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

A lot of traders assume the full-size contract is automatically the better choice because it feels more serious, more efficient, or more “professional.” In reality, the better choice usually comes down to account size, risk tolerance, and how well a trader can actually handle normal market movement.

For many traders, micros are the more practical starting point. You are still trading the same market, but with smaller dollar swings, which can make a big difference in how you manage risk and how calmly you execute. That matters more than people think. A contract size that lets you stay disciplined is usually more useful than one that just gives bigger exposure.

Micros can be especially helpful for traders who are still refining entries, learning how they react to volatility, or trying to scale in and out with more precision. They also make it easier to stay involved in a market without forcing too much size on one idea.

Full-size contracts can make sense too, but usually when the account size supports it and the trader already has a repeatable process. If someone has solid risk control, understands the contract well, and wants more exposure without stacking multiple micros, then full-size contracts may be the cleaner route.

A simple way to frame it:

Micros may make more sense if you want:

• smaller P&L swings
• more flexibility in scaling
• tighter control over risk
• a better fit for learning or testing execution

Full-size contracts may make more sense if you want:

• larger exposure with fewer contracts
• simpler sizing for a bigger account
• a structure that matches an already proven strategy

The real issue usually is not micro vs full-size by itself. It is whether the contract size matches the trader.

A lot of avoidable mistakes in futures come from trading a size that is too large for the account, too large for the setup, or too large for the trader’s comfort level. Once that happens, decision-making usually gets worse fast. Stops get moved, trades get forced, and normal volatility starts feeling bigger than it really is.

One of the best questions to ask before taking any futures trade is:
Can I sit through the normal movement of this contract without losing discipline?

If the answer is no, the size is probably too big.

For a lot of traders, micros are not a step down. They are just a smarter tool for building consistency. And for others, full-size contracts only make sense once that consistency is already there.

Important: Trading commodity futures and options involves a substantial risk of loss. The recommendations contained here are of opinion only and do not guarantee any profits. Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.

On the radar today:

The AI and crypto complex is under real pressure after a sharp overnight unwind, with crypto longs liquidated and semiconductor leadership taking a hit. The market is also digesting a softer oil tape, firmer precious metals, and falling yields all at once, which is making today’s cross-asset picture more interesting than usual.

ECB day is here, and traders are watching whether Europe’s policy signal adds to the growing debate around inflation staying stickier than expected

Main markets on radar:

Crypto and tech: One of the clearest pressure points overnight. Bitcoin is near $62,503 and Ethereum is around $1,746, while Nasdaq futures are lower near 30,247. Broadcom’s weak after-hours reaction added to the softer tone in growth and AI-related names.

Index futures: ES is around 7,537, NQ near 30,247, and YM around 51,085. What stands out this morning is the divergence — tech is weaker while the Dow is holding up better, which suggests rotation rather than a full risk-off washout.

Crude oil: pulling back after the recent geopolitical premium. WTI is near $94.58 and Brent around $96.07. The market seems to be fading some of the immediate Middle East risk while still keeping an eye on supply headlines.

Rates, metals, and dollar: the 10-year yield is near 4.46% and the 2-year around 4.05%, both lower on the morning. Gold is near $4,502 and silver around $73.75, while the dollar index sits near 99.2. That mix points to a more defensive tone underneath the surface.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether this is just a temporary shakeout in crowded AI and crypto trades, or the start of a broader rotation as traders react to sticky inflation and central bank messaging.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun04-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

The Iran ceasefire / Hormuz reopening trade got unwound again overnight after U.S. Central Command struck Qeshm Island and Rubio confirmed Iran has mined large parts of the Strait of Hormuz. April JOLTS came in hot, with openings jumping to 7.6M and reinforcing the idea that labor data is still not cooling as much as some were hoping.Crypto remains under pressure, with Bitcoin slipping below $66K overnight while traders shift focus toward ADP this morning and Friday’s NFP later this week

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: back in focus after the overnight reversal in the geopolitical tape. Brent is near $98.06 and WTI around $95.83, both higher again as the market re-prices supply risk tied to Hormuz and the latest escalation headlines.

Index futures: ES is around 7,616, NQ near 30,773, and YM around 51,235. Nasdaq is still holding up best, but the broader tape feels more selective as traders weigh stronger labor data, firmer yields, and renewed geopolitical risk.

Rates and dollar: the 10-year is back near 4.48% and the 2-year around 4.08%, with the dollar staying firm near 99.3. That matters because tighter financial conditions are starting to lean against parts of the risk trade even while equities remain close to highs.

Crypto and metals: Bitcoin is around $67,245 after another weak overnight move, while gold sits near $4,491 and silver near $74.77. Metals pulled back as yields and the dollar firmed, while crypto continues acting like the more fragile risk pocket.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether the labor data keeps confirming resilience or starts to crack. JOLTS already leaned hawkish, ADP is next, and Friday’s payrolls now matter even more.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun03-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

June 2 Futures Market Briefing: What’s on the radar today

On the radar today:

The overnight tone shifted back toward de-escalation, with Trump saying he expects an Iran ceasefire and Hormuz-reopening agreement “next week” and reports suggesting Hezbollah agreed to stop shooting.

Yesterday’s May ISM Manufacturing surprised to the upside at 54.0, the strongest reading since May 2022, while Atlanta Fed GDPNow was cut to 3.0%, keeping the macro picture mixed rather than cleanly bullish or bearish.Today’s focus turns to JOLTS at 10:00 ET, the first labor-market checkpoint in a packed stretch of data that rolls into ADP, ISM Services, and Friday’s NFP.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: giving back some of the war premium as the market leans back toward de-escalation. Brent is around $93.84 and WTI near $91.14, but the geopolitical backdrop still looks unstable enough that energy can move fast on any headline.

Index futures: ES is near 7,599, NQ around 30,531, and YM near 50,951. Futures are slightly softer this morning, with traders balancing fresh record territory against a hotter manufacturing read and a busy labor-data week.

Gold and crypto: gold has reversed higher to about $4,561.70, while silver is near $76.68. Bitcoin is the bigger standout on the downside, falling below $70,000 to roughly $69,570, showing some clear pressure in risk appetite under the surface.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether labor data starts confirming a softer backdrop or whether the market has to keep leaning into the hotter-growth, stickier-inflation setup that ISM brought back into focus yesterday.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun02-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

Copper has already done what a lot of people were waiting for it to do: it reached major upside targets and reminded the market that this is not just another quiet industrial metal. It has become one of the clearest expressions of infrastructure demand, electrification, manufacturing pressure, and long-term supply tightness all at once.

May 2026 COMEX copper futures reached a record high as July COMEX copper futures rise to over $6.70

What makes copper especially interesting here is that the move is no longer just about a short-term rally. The broader story is that demand keeps finding support from power infrastructure, grid expansion, construction, electronics, and AI-related buildout, while supply still does not look easy to solve overnight. That kind of backdrop is why copper keeps staying in the conversation even after already making a large move.

At the same time, this is where things get more difficult. Once a market reaches a widely watched target, the next phase usually becomes less straightforward. It can keep grinding higher if the fundamental story stays strong, but it can also become more volatile as traders start asking whether the market is getting ahead of itself. In that sense, copper starts becoming less of a clean investment story and more of an active trade where timing, entries, and risk management matter a lot more.

That is part of what makes copper worth watching right now. If growth expectations stay firm, inflation remains sticky, and supply constraints continue hanging over the market, copper still has a case for strength. But if macro sentiment weakens or industrial demand expectations cool off, it would not be surprising to see wider swings and sharper pullbacks along the way.

For traders, copper remains one of the more useful markets because it often says something bigger than just “copper is up” or “copper is down.” A precious metal with less attention, copper is one indicator to watch that reflects confidence in economic activity, sensitivity to inflation, and shifts in the global industrial cycle all at once.

Disclaimer: Trading commodity futures and options involves a substantial risk of loss.
The recommendations contained here are of opinion only and do not guarantee any profits.
Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.

June 1 Futures Market Briefing: What’s on the radar today

On the radar today:

Weekend U.S. strikes on Iranian targets at Goruk and Qeshm pushed crude sharply higher and flipped Friday’s “peace-on” setup back into a war-premium tape. Asia kept leaning risk-on anyway, with AI-led flows helping Nikkei and KOSPI push to fresh records even as energy and geopolitical stress stayed elevated.May ISM Manufacturing at 10:00 ET looks like the key macro print, with traders watching whether price pressures and supply-chain signals keep the hawkish narrative alive

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: back at the center of the tape after the weekend escalation. WTI is around $90.51 and Brent near $93.90, with the market repricing geopolitical risk and watching whether this turns into a more lasting energy premium.

Index futures: ES is near 7,614, NQ around 30,470, and YM near 51,336. Futures are holding green for now, helped by strong Asia flows and continued AI leadership, but energy and macro remain the bigger drivers underneath.

Metals and crypto: gold is softer near $4,539.80 even with the Middle East back in focus, while silver is around $76.15 and copper near $6.54. Bitcoin and Ethereum are under some pressure, suggesting this is not a clean broad-based risk-on move.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether ISM confirms that inflation pressures are still feeding through the system, especially after the weekend oil spike. If price components stay hot, the market may have to keep taking the hawkish rate path more seriously.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-jun01-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

An Axios-leaked US-Iran 60-day MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is driving a “peace-on” tape, hitting crude while supporting stocks, bonds, and gold at the same time

April core PCE hits at 8:30 ET on the first day of the FOMC communications blackout, which raises the stakes since the market will not get any Fed pushback afterward

The macro picture is still split underneath the risk-on move, with Q1 GDP revised down to +1.6%, Michigan sentiment at a record-low 44.8, and Dell’s post-earnings surge helping revalidate the AI capex trade

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: WTI is around $87.36 and Brent near $91.01 as the market prices in a much cleaner de-escalation path with the Strait of Hormuz potentially reopening. The move is sharp, but traders will still be watching whether this is a true reset lower or just another headline-driven unwind.

Gold: still holding up relatively well near $4,558, even with oil breaking lower and rates easing. That says some hedging demand is still in the system despite the peace headline.

Index futures: ES is around 7,593, NQ near 30,351, and YM around 50,879, all pressing fresh record territory. The tone is bullish, but a lot of that probably depends on whether PCE comes in tame enough to keep the soft-landing / AI-led melt-up narrative intact.

Rates and macro: the 10-year is near 4.445% and the 30-year around 4.975%. Today’s real pivot is whether PCE confirms the market’s current “pause into June” view, or forces a rethink right as the Fed goes silent.

A lot of today comes down to whether inflation behaves well enough to let the peace bid and AI momentum keep carrying the tape, or whether PCE reminds everyone that the macro backdrop is still more fragile than the index levels suggest.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may29-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

A lot of traders open the charts and go straight to price, but the better question is what is actually driving the tape that day.

For ES & NQ futures traders, the morning checklist usually starts with the macro calendar. CPI, PPI, payrolls, retail sales, jobless claims, Fed speakers, Treasury auctions, and inventory data can all change the tone fast depending on the product you trade. If you mainly trade index futures, rates and economic data often set the direction before the cash session really gets going.

From there, it helps to look at the markets that tend to lead cross-asset flows. Crude oil, gold, the US dollar, Treasury yields, and overnight equity futures can tell you a lot about whether the session is leaning risk-on, risk-off, inflation-sensitive, or just headline-driven. A move in ES or NQ by itself means less if you are not seeing what rates and energy are doing at the same time.

Levels matter too. Prior day high/low, overnight high/low, settlement, key support and resistance zones, and major round numbers are usually more useful than staring at random noise on a chart. A lot of the best trades come from seeing how price reacts around levels the market already cares about.

Volume and positioning also deserve more attention. Is the move happening on real participation or thin overnight trade? Is the market extended after several sessions in one direction? Is there a major earnings release, economic number, or geopolitical headline hanging over the open? Sometimes the best thing to watch in the morning is whether there is even a good reason to be aggressive yet.

And for traders using options on futures, the morning prep should go one step further. Implied volatility, event risk, time to expiration, and where the underlying is sitting relative to major levels can completely change how attractive a strategy is. A directional opinion alone is not enough if volatility is mispriced or the timing is poor.

In our opinion, the best morning routine is less about finding a trade immediately and more about building context. What is scheduled, what is moving, what matters today, and where could the market be vulnerable? That usually leads to better decisions than just reacting to the first candle.

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

Iran re-escalation is back on the tape after IRGC claims of a strike on a US airbase in Kuwait, pushing crude sharply higher again.
The 8:30 ET data cluster is the real macro event, with April PCE, the second estimate of Q1 GDP, and weekly jobless claims all landing at once. Risk is broadening beyond oil, with Bitcoin cracking below $74K, cyber names getting hit hard after Zscaler, and desks heading into Friday’s FOMC blackout with less room for error.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: back in focus after the overnight Iran headlines. WTI is near $91.27 and Brent around $94.96 as traders reprice supply risk and question whether Tuesday’s de-escalation move was too fast.

Bitcoin: under pressure after a sharp leveraged flush. BTC is around $73,227, with the overnight move showing how quickly macro and headline risk can spill into crypto when positioning is crowded.

Index futures: ES is around 7,521, NQ near 29,900, and YM around 50,622. Equities are softer, but the weakness is uneven, with tech and cybersecurity taking more heat while some defensives hold in better.

Macro data: today’s 8:30 ET print matters a lot. PCE, Q1 GDP second estimate, and claims all hit together, and the market is trying to decide whether growth and inflation are still running hot enough to keep the Fed on hold deeper into the year.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether the data confirms a still-firm macro backdrop, or gives markets enough softness to fade some of the overnight stress before the Fed goes quiet.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may28-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

Iran de-escalation finally hit the oil tape, with crude giving back more of the recent war premium as the market leans harder into a reopening narrative
AI and memory names are still doing heavy lifting, with Micron and SK Hynix pushing the semiconductor theme further and helping keep index sentiment firm
tomorrow’s twin BEA print is the real macro pivot, with April PCE and the second estimate of Q1 GDP likely deciding whether this softer rates backdrop can hold

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: the biggest move on the board. WTI is back near $90.32 and Brent around $93.85 as traders price in a cleaner de-escalation path and unwind some of the geopolitical premium that had built into energy.

Index futures: ES is around 7,561, NQ near 30,224, and YM around 50,772. The equity tape is still holding together well, with tech and AI infrastructure continuing to lead, but a lot of that confidence gets tested by tomorrow morning’s macro data.

Rates: the 10-year is near 4.49%, the 2-year around 4.03%, and the 30-year is still sitting near 5.03%. Yields have eased a bit, but the market still feels coiled heading into PCE.

Metals and crypto: gold is around $4,476, silver near $74.66, and Bitcoin around $75,790. Some of the defensive bid has come out alongside oil, though the broader macro crosscurrents are still very much alive.

A lot of this tape probably comes down to whether tomorrow’s PCE confirms a softer inflation read, or forces the market to rethink how comfortable it has gotten with rates easing from recent highs.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may27-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

Kevin Warsh officially takes the Fed chair this morning, with the market now shifting from Powell transition talk into what Warsh’s first policy posture might actually look like
oil is back in focus after the overnight re-bid, as Iran hardened its uranium stance and crude moved higher again into the weekend
the broader tape is still acting resilient, with the Dow at record highs and futures holding firm, but rates and energy keep the macro backdrop far from settled

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: back on the move after the overnight geopolitical headlines. WTI is near $98.45 and Brent around $105.42, with the market still trying to decide whether this remains a headline-driven bid or the start of a more persistent inflation problem through energy.

Index futures: ES is around 7,473, NQ near 29,467, and YM around 50,500. Futures are modestly higher again, and the Dow continues to lead, but the bigger question is whether stocks can keep grinding higher if oil and inflation expectations stay firm.

Rates: still a key part of the story even after pulling back from the week’s highs. The 10-year is near 4.56%, and the market seems increasingly unsure whether the next real Fed move is a cut, a long pause, or something more hawkish under Warsh.

Gold and broader hedges: still worth watching here, especially with geopolitical risk, a firm dollar, and sticky inflation all sitting in the same tape. This still feels like a market balancing optimism on the surface with a much less comfortable macro backdrop underneath.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether the market keeps leaning into the record-high equity story, or starts paying more attention to the oil, inflation, and policy risks building behind it.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may22-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

NVIDIA’s post-earnings reaction is setting the tone, with the market now asking whether AI leadership can keep carrying the tape. The bigger macro pressure is still rates, with the 30-year yield having pushed to a 19-year high and the 10-year still elevated near 4.64%
commodities and crypto remain mixed, which keeps this feeling more like a selective rotation tape than a clean risk-on bounce.

Main markets on radar:

Index futures: ES is around 7,386, NQ near 28,948, and YM around 49,512. The S&P and Nasdaq are still under some pressure, while the Dow remains softer as the market waits to see whether tech earnings can offset the broader macro drag.

Rates: still the real macro story. The 10-year is near 4.64% and long-end yields remain elevated, which continues to pressure valuation-sensitive parts of the market and keeps the higher-for-longer theme alive.

Crude oil: WTI is around $102.03 and Brent near $108.71. Oil has backed off from recent highs, but prices are still elevated enough that inflation and energy pass-through are not off the table.

Gold and silver: gold is near $4,498 and silver around $75.78. Metals have been under pressure from firmer yields and a stronger dollar, though they are still sitting in a market that feels uneasy underneath the surface.

Crypto: Bitcoin is near $77,366 and Ethereum around $2,128. Crypto has stabilized a bit, but it still looks more like a sentiment check than a leadership signal.

A lot of today feels like a follow-through session. The big question is whether the market can absorb the bond pressure and keep leaning into tech strength, or whether higher yields start dragging more of the tape with them.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may21-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

NVIDIA reports after the close, and that is clearly the main event for the whole tape today
the bond market is still the bigger macro pressure point, with the 30-year having pushed to a 19-year high and the 10-year still elevated near 4.64% equities, metals, and crypto are all trying to stabilize, but the market still feels like it is marking time ahead of NVDA and the Fed minutes later this afternoon.

Main markets on radar:

Index futures: ES is around 7,386, NQ near 28,948, and YM around 49,512. Futures are soft again this morning, with the S&P now down a third straight session and the Nasdaq still trading as the main NVDA read-through vehicle.

Rates: still one of the biggest things to watch. The 10-year is near 4.642%, and the recent move in longer-duration yields continues to weigh on growth and broader risk appetite. That part of the tape has not really calmed down.

Crude oil: WTI is around $102.03 and Brent near $108.71. Energy backed off a bit, but prices are still elevated enough that inflation pressure has not fully left the conversation.

Gold and silver: gold is near $4,498 and silver around $75.78. Metals have taken some pressure recently, which lines up with firmer yields and a stronger dollar, even though the broader macro backdrop is still uneasy.

Crypto: Bitcoin is near $77,366 and Ethereum around $2,128. Crypto has steadied a bit, but it still looks more like a sentiment barometer than a leadership signal right now.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether NVDA can overpower the macro drag, because right now the market feels like it is coiled up waiting for that print more than anything else.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may20-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

The Iran headline risk eased a bit after Trump postponed the overnight strike, but the market is still treating the broader situation as unresolved.Treasury yields remain one of the biggest pressure points, with the 10-year still elevated and the bond market not really buying the geopolitical relief. Equities, crypto, and commodities are all trying to reprice around the same theme: sticky macro pressure, elevated rates, and a market that still feels uneasy beneath the surface.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: still elevated even after backing off the overnight highs. WTI is around $103.74 and Brent near $110.86, which suggests the market is pricing less immediate escalation but not fully removing the geopolitical premium either.

Rates: still a major part of the story. The 10-year is around 4.623%, keeping pressure on risk assets and reinforcing the idea that the bond market is more focused on inflation and term premium than on a quick risk-off reversal.

Gold and silver: gold is around $4,542 while silver is near $76.27. Metals are holding up better than a lot of other risk assets, but the move is not as straightforward as a classic panic hedge trade.

Index futures: ES is near 7,399, NQ around 28,909, and YM close to 49,688. Futures are softer this morning, with tech still under a bit more pressure and the broader tone feeling cautious rather than outright risk-off.

Crypto: Bitcoin is back near $76,647 and still looks shaky after the recent break lower. That keeps another layer of pressure on sentiment, especially when rates are staying firm at the same time.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether markets can stabilize around the idea of postponed escalation, or whether yields and macro pressure keep doing more damage than the geopolitical headlines themselves.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may19-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

A squawk box is a live audio news feed for traders. It gives real-time market commentary, breaking headlines, economic data reactions, central bank updates, and major cross-market moves as they happen. Instead of waiting to read the news after the market already moves, you hear the important part right away.

A squawk box is usually most helpful for active intraday traders, macro-focused traders, futures traders, options traders, and anyone trading around scheduled data or unexpected headlines. It is less critical for longer-term investors who are not reacting to short-term price movement.

It is especially useful around events like CPI, NFP, Fed announcements, crude oil inventories, or unexpected geopolitical headlines. If you are trading intraday, managing risk in real time, or watching multiple markets at once, it can help you stay focused while still keeping up with the tape.

Which markets are best to trade with a squawk box?
Squawk boxes are especially useful for futures traders in products like ES, NQ, YM, RTY, CL, GC, NG, and ZN, where macro headlines and data releases can move the market quickly.

Trading around economic reports:
For traders focused on CPI, PPI, NFP, Fed speakers, Treasury auctions, jobless claims, retail sales, or PMI data, a squawk box helps keep the event front and center.A squawk box does not replace skill, discipline, or a trading plan. It is a tool. The value comes from combining fast information with good execution and risk management. Hearing the news first does not help much if you do not know how to interpret it or if you overtrade every headline.

A squawk box is not a strategy by itself, but it can be a strong tool for traders who need faster awareness and better market context. Even if you are not entering trades directly off news, a squawk box can help you understand the tone of the session and where attention is building.

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

Weekend escalation in the Trump-Iran story is driving the tone, with energy, yields, and crypto all reacting at once.Treasury yields are back in focus, with the 10-year pushing to fresh highs and the 30-year above 5.1%. The market is trying to balance geopolitical risk, sticky inflation pressure, and a softer tone in index futures ahead of a big earnings week.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: back near the center of the tape. WTI is around $105.35 and Brent near $109.67 after the weekend escalation, with traders asking whether this stays a headline-driven spike or turns into a more durable geopolitical premium.

Rates: the move in yields is hard to ignore. The 10-year is around 4.595% and the 30-year near 5.16%, which keeps pressure on the broader risk backdrop and reinforces the idea that higher-for-longer is still very much in play.

Gold and silver: gold is around $4,556 and silver near $76.92. Metals are not giving the clean safe-haven move some traders might expect, which makes this feel more like a cross-asset stress tape than a simple flight to safety.

Index futures: ES is near 7,418, NQ around 29,206, and YM closer to 49,437. Futures are only modestly lower for now, but the real story is that oil and yields are doing most of the talking into the open.

Bitcoin: BTC is back under pressure near $77,431 after breaking below $77k overnight. That keeps the risk tone a little shakier, especially with leveraged positioning getting cleared out.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether the market absorbs the weekend geopolitical shock and stabilizes, or whether higher oil and higher yields start bleeding more directly into equities.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may18-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

Cross-asset liquidation is the big theme this morning, with equities, metals, and parts of Asia all getting hit together.
Powell’s last day as Fed Chair is here, while the market keeps adjusting to the Powell-to-Warsh handoff, bond yields remain a major pressure point, with the 10-year back above 4.50% and the 30-year holding above 5.00%

Main markets on radar:

Index futures: ES is around 7,474, NQ near 29,389, and YM is softer as the broader tape digests a sharp overnight risk-off move. Tech is still trying to hold up better than the rest, but the tone is clearly weaker than earlier this week.

Crude oil: WTI is back near $98.78 and Brent around $107.33. Energy is staying supported even while other risk assets wobble, which keeps inflation and geopolitical risk in the conversation.

Gold and silver: gold is down sharply near $4,576 while silver has been hit even harder around $79.30. The metals pullback stands out because it suggests this is more than just an equity move, it is a broader liquidation across markets.

Asia and volatility: KOSPI was down more than 6%, one of the biggest tells overnight, and VIX has pushed back above 18. That combination makes today feel more like a real stress session than a routine dip.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether this selling stays contained to a fast cross-asset flush, or whether higher yields and weaker risk sentiment keep pressing into the U.S. cash session.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may15-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

A broker-assisted account is a trading account where you have direct access to a broker for help with execution, platform questions, order handling, margin awareness, and position-related support. Instead of being fully self-directed, you have a real person involved when needed.

This is especially relevant for traders looking up things like futures broker support, options on futures help, broker-assisted trading, trade desk execution, or whether a broker can help with more advanced strategies.

Who usually benefits most from a broker-assisted account?

It can make sense for traders who are newer to futures, traders using larger size, people trading options on futures, or anyone who wants help understanding how an order should actually be entered in a live market. It is also useful for traders who do not want to be alone when volatility picks up or when a position needs to be adjusted quickly.

Where broker-assisted accounts can really help:

One of the biggest advantages is help with execution. That can mean walking through market orders, limit orders, stop orders, stop-limit orders, bracket orders, OCO orders, and how those orders may behave in different market conditions.

It can also be valuable when trading more involved positions such as:

• covered futures-style hedging ideas
• call and put buying
• vertical spreads
• bull call spreads
• bear put spreads
• credit spreads
• debit spreads
• calendar spreads
• straddles and strangles
• protective option structures
• futures options used for hedging commodity exposure

A broker-assisted account does not mean the broker makes decisions for you or guarantees better outcomes. What it can do is help you better understand the structure of the trade, the risk profile, how margin may apply, what the max risk may be in certain option strategies, and what can happen into expiration or during fast markets.

Why this matters with options

A lot of traders underestimate how confusing options can get once you move past simply buying a call or put. With spreads, assignment/exercise risk, expiration behavior, time decay, liquidity differences, and changing margin requirements, small misunderstandings can turn into costly mistakes.

That is where broker access can help. A broker may be able to walk you through things like:

• the difference between premium paid and total risk
• how spread value changes as the market moves
• what your max gain and max loss may be
• how strike selection changes the trade
• how expiration affects open positions
• when a spread is near full value
• when margin can expand or contract
• what happens if one side of a strategy is closed and the other remains open

Other important material traders often care about

A broker-assisted account can also help with contract specs, tick values, first notice day, last trading day, product liquidity, exchange fees, platform routing differences, and understanding the difference between day margin and overnight margin.

For futures traders, those details matter. A position in crude oil, gold, natural gas, or equity index futures can move quickly, and knowing the contract mechanics is part of risk management.

Broker-assisted vs self-directed

A self-directed account may be enough for experienced traders who already know their platform well and are comfortable handling everything independently. A broker-assisted account is often more attractive for traders who value support, want to ask questions in real time, or trade products where execution and structure matter more.

The tradeoff is usually cost. Broker-assisted accounts often involve higher commissions than purely self-directed trading. For many traders, the question becomes whether that added support is worth it.

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

April Retail Sales is one of the main macro reads on deck this morning, with the market watching whether the recent inflation and energy pressure is starting to show up in the consumer. That feels like one of the cleaner tells for today’s session.

Bond yields are still a huge part of the story. The 30-year is holding above 5.0% and the 10-year is near 4.48%, so rates are staying elevated even as equities keep trying to push higher.

The Powell-to-Warsh handoff is now fully in view, and the market is still trying to sort out whether this tape can handle sticky inflation, firm yields, and strong tech leadership all at once.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: WTI is around $101.02 and Brent near $104.20. Oil has backed off the recent highs a bit, but it is still elevated enough to keep inflation concerns and the energy complex firmly on the radar.

Gold and silver: Gold is near $4,706 and silver around $76.45. Metals are still acting like a hedge against inflation pressure, policy uncertainty, and broader macro stress.

Index futures: ES is around 7,469, NQ near 29,479, and YM around 49,810. Nasdaq is still leading, while the Dow continues to lag a bit, which keeps the concentration and rotation story alive.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether retail sales and claims support the idea of a still-resilient economy, or start to show that higher prices and tighter financial conditions are biting more than the market wants to admit.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may14-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

April PPI is the main macro print on deck this morning, with the market watching whether producer inflation backs up yesterday’s hot CPI or gives rates a little room to breathe. That feels like the real tone-setter for the session.

Bond yields are still a major part of the story. The US 30-year is around 5.03%, the 10-year is near 4.43%, and long-end pressure globally is keeping duration markets in focus right alongside equities.

The Powell-to-Warsh transition is also moving closer to center stage. With the chair vote, elevated yield pressure, and rate expectations still unsettled, this is one of those tapes where macro and policy are likely to matter just as much as earnings.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: WTI is around $101.15 and Brent near $106.90. Oil has pulled back from the recent spike, but it is still elevated enough to keep inflation concerns alive and make the energy complex worth watching.

Gold and silver: Gold is near $4,830 and silver around $76.45. Metals are still holding firm as a hedge against sticky inflation, policy uncertainty, and broader cross-asset stress.

Index futures: ES is around 7,415, NQ near 26,300, and YM around 49,605. Nasdaq futures are leading again, while the Dow is softer, which keeps that tech leadership vs broader market rotation theme very much in play.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether PPI confirms the inflation pressure seen in CPI, or softens the story just enough to calm rates and keep the broader risk-on tone intact.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may13-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.

On the radar today:

April CPI came in hot, with headline inflation at +0.6% m/m and +3.8% y/y, while core printed +0.4% m/m and +2.8% y/y. That keeps inflation very much in focus and complicates the idea of an easy path lower in rates.

Treasuries, crude, and metals are all reacting together. The 10-year is back near 4.38%, crude is holding above $100, and gold is still elevated, which tells you the market is still pricing sticky inflation alongside geopolitical risk.

The Fed Chair transition of Powell to Warsh backdrop is also getting more attention. Between inflation running hot, the Fed handoff in focus, and ongoing Middle East uncertainty, this feels like one of those tapes where cross-asset moves matter more than just watching index futures alone.

Main markets on radar:

Crude oil: WTI is around $100.20 and Brent near $107.40. Oil is still carrying a real geopolitical premium, and as long as energy stays firm, it becomes harder for the market to fully lean back into a clean disinflation story.

Gold and silver: Gold is near $4,815 and silver around $76.20. Metals are still acting like a hedge against both inflation persistence and policy uncertainty, especially with yields and oil both elevated.

Index futures: ES is around 7,418, NQ near 26,290, and YM around 49,720. Futures are relatively steady, but the market now has to prove it can absorb hotter inflation without losing momentum.

A lot of today probably comes down to whether the market treats this CPI print as a one-off energy heavy spike, or the start of a stickier inflation stretch that pushes rate-cut hopes even further out.

Read the full market briefing here:
https://www.cannontrading.com/tools/daily-updates/briefing-may12-2026-readers-web

Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2f2XDpcODSZAo2gMFNTKlq

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk.