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Education

Preparation is Vital to a Beginning Futures Trader.

New traders with PhDs and new traders lacking high school diplomas succeed and fail alike at speculating in the futures markets. Many times, that failure is because the trader didn't know or understand some simple trading definition or procedure. Don't let this happen to you.

In this section of our Web site, we provide just the kind of information beginners need -- articles from industry experts, a Frequently Asked Questions section, a glossary of terms and links to several introductory trading articles. We also link to the popular online introductory trading guide known as "Phantom's Gift."

Use the links to the right to navigate this section. If you have any feedback or suggestions for what should be included here, please contact us.

Beginner Basics

Managing trading errors

How to understand and trade the bond market

Using options to protect positions

The basics of reading charts

Cutting the cord: Mobile trading 101

Dueling markets: Forex futures vs. spot forex

Can you spot a fraud?

View More Beginner Basics Articles

Phantom's Gift

Foreward

Preface

Chapter 1: Phantom's Insight

Chapter 2: Your Book (Or "Why Give Everything Away?")

Chapter 3: A Little History

Chapter 4: Preparation for Trading

Chapter 5: Rule Number 1

View More Phantom's Gift Articles

Educational Articles

Managing trading errors

February 01, 2012

Every trader needs to have contingencies in place for trading errors...

How to understand and trade the bond market

January 01, 2012

The Treasury complex can be confusing for the uninitiated. Here are the basics...

Using options to protect positions

December 01, 2011

Using options instead of stop orders to protect your downside while maintaining opportunity...

The basics of reading charts

November 01, 2011

Even fundamental traders need to understand charts. Here’s a primer...

Cutting the cord: Mobile trading 101

October 01, 2011

Mobile devices are letting traders step away from the desk, but considerations need to be made...

View More Educational Articles

Book Reviews

Microsoft Excel for Stock and Option Traders

December 01, 2011

Review of Jeff Augen's "Microsoft Excel for Stock and Option Traders"...

The Little Book of Currency Trading

December 01, 2011

Review of Kathy Lien's "The Little Book of Currency Trading"...

Mastering Market Timing

November 01, 2011

Review of "Mastering Market Timing: Using the Works of L.M. Lowry and R.D. Wyckoff to Identify Key Market Turning Points" by Richard A. Dickson and Tracy L. Knudsen...

George Lindsay and the Art of Technical Analysis

October 19, 2011

Review of "George Lindsay and the Art of Technical Analysis: Trading Systems of a Market Master" by Ed Carlson...

Trade to Win: Proven strategies to make money

October 01, 2011

Explore what it takes to be a successful trader, consistently over time in a 24-hour a day global mark...

View More Book Reviews

Trading Techniques

Before you trade, you should have some idea of how you are going to decide to buy, sell or sit tight. Slightly more advanced than our "beginner basics" articles, these explain some analytical strategies and methods that beginning traders can reasonably apply.

How to value equities using commodity futures options

February 01, 2012

Finding price points for profit, forecasting option breakeven prices and energy market commodities...

Trading off the prior bar

February 01, 2012

Here are the clues to watch when trading off the prior price bar...

Trading power to spark profits

February 01, 2012

Using the electricity spark spread to tap into energy’s numerous opportunities...

Eurodollar options: Interest rate forecasts and calendar spreads

January 01, 2012

Examining the connection between interest rate futures and Fed policies...

How to identify price trend reversals

January 01, 2012

Although trend trading has a proven record, the key is spotting trends early...

View More Trading Techniques Articles

Futures FAQ

How are options and futures different?
What are margin and leverage? What's the difference between stocks and futures?

Find these answers and more in the Futures FAQ.

Trading Glossary

Here Are Some Common Terms You'll Encounter in the Trading Business. Here Are Some Common Terms You'll Encounter in the Trading Business.

Browse our Trading Glossary.

eNewsletters » Futures’ Daily Market Focus

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Trading Glossary (A-M)

Trading Glossary (N-Z)

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