The Futures Rundown

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Everything you ever wanted to know about the futures markets all in one place. Brought to you by Plus500. Go to https://ctsfutures.com/ to learn more.

  1. The Futures Rundown 78: Aging Crude Rally and Flesh-Eating Parasites!!!

    2h ago

    The Futures Rundown 78: Aging Crude Rally and Flesh-Eating Parasites!!!

    In this episode, host Mark Longo is joined by veteran futures broker and author Carley Garner of DeCarley Trading to break down a wild week of macro action, massive energy spikes, and some deeply unusual livestock drivers. Mark and Carley dive into the ongoing Middle East conflict's impact on energy, tracing why the crude oil rally is starting to "get old" despite the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed. They analyze the structural parallels between the current market and the 2022 price spikes, outline the best hedging strategies using micro futures and options, and explain why soybean oil is stepping up as a fascinating energy substitute. They also break down this week's top movers—including an unexpected surge in cash-settled butter—and take a look at the dark side of the tape, where crypto (Bitcoin and Ether) and grains are experiencing aggressive liquidations. Plus, Carley reveals how "screw worm" flesh-eating parasites, border closures, and a multi-year drought have fueled an historic, toppy rally in live cattle futures. In this episode, we cover: The Trading Pit: Early vs. later-stage trading strategies during geopolitical conflicts; selling expensive upside call premium in WTI and Brent. The Energy Overdrive: Why heating oil, RBOB, and soybean oil are pacing the year-to-date leaderboard. Crypto vs. Equities Divergence: Bitcoin ($BTC) and Ether ($ETH) falling out of lockstep with the tech-heavy NASDAQ. Is Bitcoin still a reliable risk barometer? Livestock & Ag Breakdown: Spotting a potential double-top in Live Cattle and how to manage downside risk using cheap options. Futures Free-for-All Q&A: Carley's take on the upcoming move to 23.5-hour equity trading and extended options hours, plus cutting through social media "hype" coins.

    37 min
  2. The Futures Rundown 77: The Equity Battle Heats Up

    May 27

    The Futures Rundown 77: The Equity Battle Heats Up

    Are equity index derivatives finally getting some real competition? In this episode, MIAX Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Shelly Brown joins host Mark Longo on the Futures Hot Seat to unpack their new index product suite developed with Bloomberg. The conversation focuses on the structural mechanics of the new Tini Bloomberg 100 Futures ($TBQ) and the upcoming rollout of the Tini Bloomberg 500 Futures ($TBX). Shelly explains how these 100% objective, algorithmically-driven indices operate compared to traditional benchmarks like the Nasdaq and S&P—including how a strict mathematical methodology allows them to fast-track new IPOs into the index. They also look at the microstructure advantages designed to attract retail order flow: lower exchange fees, tight market maker spreads, and capital efficiencies via OCC clearing. Plus, we get a realistic timeline for index options and a upcoming Spikes 2.0 volatility product. Later, Mark heads into The Trading Pit to break down a wild week of price action across the tape: The Green Side: Small caps lead the charge with the Russell 2000 surging over 6%, Cocoa catches a rare bid, and the new Tini Bloomberg 100 makes an immediate debut on our weekly upside list. The Dark Side: Energy gets hammered. WTI, Brent, and RBOB slide roughly 14% on potential Middle East resolution news, while lithium and wheat follow to the downside. Volume Leaders: Micro Nasdaq contracts and Treasury rates see heavy volume blocks dominating the weekly data. Get early access to live streams, Pro Q&As, and more at The Options Insider Pro .

    30 min
  3. The Futures Rundown 76: Forget Stocks and Oil - It's all About Cattle and Sulfuric Acid!!!

    May 21

    The Futures Rundown 76: Forget Stocks and Oil - It's all About Cattle and Sulfuric Acid!!!

    This episode of The Futures Rundown goes way beyond stocks and crude as Mark Longo and Kevin Green from the Schwab Network dive into the futures stories nobody else is talking about. From booming cattle prices and live calf auctions to sulfuric acid shortages impacting global copper production, this show covers the wild side of the futures markets. Plus: energy, metals, natural gas, coffee, cocoa, rates, and the latest geopolitical impacts shaping futures trading.

    32 min
  4. The Futures Rundown 75: Return Of Metals Insania Mania?

    May 14

    The Futures Rundown 75: Return Of Metals Insania Mania?

    The metals markets are heating up once again! On this episode of The Futures Rundown, host Mark Longo is joined by Dana Samuelson, President of the American Gold Exchange, to break down the "Insania-Mania" currently gripping the precious metals space. They dive deep into the counterintuitive performance of Gold during recent geopolitical conflicts, the massive physical demand driving Silver back toward recent highs, and why Platinum is suddenly catching a bid. Plus, they explore the "sneaky" fundamentals of Copper and why the electrification of India is a long-term game changer. Highlights include: The Gold Liquidity Trap: Why the "King of Shiny" sold off while oil rallied. Silver Frenzy 2.0: Analyzing the dislocation between New York and London markets. Battery Tech Revolution: Could silver-based batteries replace lithium for EVs? Rates vs. Metals: How the 10-year Treasury yield is "driving the bus" for precious metals pricing. The Trading Pit: A look at the week's biggest movers, from Wheat and Oats to the recent slump in Bitcoin and Cocoa.

    35 min
  5. The Futures Rundown 74: Crude Reigns Supreme

    Apr 30

    The Futures Rundown 74: Crude Reigns Supreme

    Is the "Strait of Hormuz" the only phrase you're hearing lately? You aren't alone. In this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo and Jermal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy at tastytrade, dive deep into a market where geopolitics is keeping Crude Oil firmly on the throne. The duo breaks down a wild week in the pits, where energy is lighting up the tape while precious metals like Silver and Platinum lose their luster. They also tackle the "AI trumps all" sentiment in equities and what the recent Fed decision means for your portfolio. Inside this episode: The Trading Pit: A "Top 6" countdown of the biggest movers, featuring the massive rallies in WTI, Brent, and RBOB Gasoline. Ag Watch: Why wheat is catching a bid and the strange correlation between fertilizer routes and your bread prices. The "Shiny Stuff" Slump: Why traders are abandoning Gold and Silver to chase the oil trade. Most Active Contracts: Breaking down the heavy volume in the 10-Year Note and the Micro NASDAQ on Fed Day. The Year-to-Date Leaderboard: A look at the staggering 103% gain in Heating Oil and the continued freefall of Cocoa. Genius Loves Company. See for yourself why Investopedia named tastytrade the Best Broker for Options in 2024. Visit tastytrade.com/podcasts to learn more.

    30 min
  6. The Futures Rundown 73: Another Wild Week in the Energy Markets

    Apr 22

    The Futures Rundown 73: Another Wild Week in the Energy Markets

    The energy complex is on fire, and Mark Longo is back in the "Trading Pit" to break down a week of explosive moves and head-scratching correlations. While geopolitical tensions in the Middle East keep oil bulls on their toes, an unlikely rally in equities is defying traditional logic. From "triple-digit" volatility in crude to the surprisingly cheap breakfast table, we're dissecting the biggest movers in the futures world. In this episode, we cover: The Energy Surge: Why WTI, Brent, RBOB, and Heating Oil are dominating the leaderboard with gains up to 7.5% this week. The "Breakfast Table" Trade: A deep dive into the downside, featuring the massive sell-offs in Orange Juice, Butter, Cocoa, and Oats. Active Contract Breakdown: Why the Nasdaq Micro and 10-Year Notes are still the kings of volume, and why we're seeing a resurgence in the Ag complex (Corn and Soybeans). Year-to-Date Movers: An analysis of the 2026 leaders, including the 71% surge in Non-fat Dry Milk and the ongoing "bloodletting" in the Cocoa markets (down 44%). Market Riddles: How are equities hitting all-time highs while crude oil rallies nearly 65% on the year? Whether you're curious about RBOB specs or trying to avoid getting a truckload of soybeans dumped on your lawn, this "Just the Facts" edition has you covered. This episode is brought to you by tastytrade.  Recognized as Investopedia's Best Broker for Options for the third year in a row. Genius loves company. Learn more at tastytrade.com/podcasts

    17 min
  7. The Futures Rundown 72: Energy, Crypto, Agriculture & Commodity Futures Breakdown

    Apr 16

    The Futures Rundown 72: Energy, Crypto, Agriculture & Commodity Futures Breakdown

    On this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo breaks down a fascinating week where equities are hitting all-time highs and the VIX is facing a serious "bloodletting." We dive into the "Dark Side" to see what's crashing (looking at you, OJ and NatGas) and flip the script to find out why Silver and Cocoa are finally finding some love. In this episode, we explore: The Trading Pit: Why a 200k contract day feels like "watching paint dry" and what's leading the volume (hint: it's the Micros). Energy & Metals: Crude oil's threat to par, the Brent/WTI spread, and the "classy" move in Aluminium. Crypto Corner: Ether and Bitcoin's year-to-date struggle vs. this week's "inhale." The Leaderboard: Why Heating Oil is the king of the mountain (+75%) while Cocoa remains the year's biggest loser despite a weekly bounce. Check out tastytrade - THE brokerage for active traders

    17 min
  8. The Futures Rundown 71: Energy Back in the Crosshairs

    Apr 1

    The Futures Rundown 71: Energy Back in the Crosshairs

    Is crude oil the new meme stock, or are we just witnessing a classic supply shock? In this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo is joined by Brett Friedman, Managing Partner at Winhall Risk Analytics, to dissect a wild week in the pits. As geopolitical tensions shift from Venezuela to Iran, the energy complex has reclaimed center stage. We break down why WTI and Brent are seeing "triple-digit" volatility levels—territory usually reserved for Natural Gas—and whether the current market madness truly is "unprecedented" or if history has a lesson for today's traders. In this episode, we explore: The Energy Surge: Why WTI and Brent are dominating the tape and what the extreme backwardation in the futures curve is telling us about the next three months. The Gold & Silver Flip: Why the "debasement trade" lost its luster just as conflict flared, and whether gold is still a "flight to quality" or just another risk asset. Volatility Reality Check: Brett compares today's markets to Gulf War I, Gulf War II, and the 2020 "negative crude" era. The Trading Pit: A countdown of the week's biggest gainers and losers, from Heating Oil's massive rally to the ongoing "bloodletting" in the Crypto complex. Equities & Correlation: How the S&P is reacting to headlines out of Washington and what rising correlation indexes mean for your strategy.

    36 min
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Everything you ever wanted to know about the futures markets all in one place. Brought to you by Plus500. Go to https://ctsfutures.com/ to learn more.

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