The Futures Rundown
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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The Futures Rundown 64: Fallout from the Metals Apocalypse
02/05/2026
The Futures Rundown 64: Fallout from the Metals Apocalypse
The metals markets are reeling after a historic "Metals Apocalypse," and The Futures Rundown is here to pick up the pieces. Host Mark Longo is joined by Jermal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy at tastytrade, to break down the massive volatility crushing Silver and Bitcoin while an unlikely sector—Dairy—dominates the leaderboard. In this episode, we dive into: The Trading Pit: A post-mortem on the Silver route and why the "90 handle" is the new psychological battleground. The Crypto Slide: Bitcoin and ETH are breaking key technical levels—is this a "risk-off" moment or something deeper? The Dairy Palooza: Why Cash-Settled Cheese, Butter, and Non-fat Dry Milk are the surprise winners of 2026. Top 10 Most Active: Rates and Equities continue to lead the tape, with the Micro Nasdaq 100 taking the crown. Futures Free-for-All: We answer listener questions on whether Silver or Bitcoin hits the 100 handle first and how to trade Silver volatility using strangles. Go to for more information.
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The Futures Rundown 63: What the Heck Is Going On In Silver?
01/29/2026
The Futures Rundown 63: What the Heck Is Going On In Silver?
This episode of The Futures Rundown explores the explosive, and frankly "crazy," price action currently dominating the metals complex. Host Mark Longo is joined by Brett Friedman, Managing Partner at Winhall Risk Analytics, to dissect the unprecedented surge in silver, the "tail of two tapes" on Fed Day, and the lurking geopolitical wild cards that could upend the markets in early 2026. Inside This Episode: The Silver "Freight Train" Silver has officially decoupled from reality, outperforming the S&P 500 by eight times in 2025 and starting 2026 with a staggering 61% year-to-date gain. Brett Friedman breaks down why this move is the most intense silver "craziness" he’s seen in a career spanning multiple decades. Key Discussion Points: What is Driving Silver? We move beyond the standard supply deficit narrative to look at momentum trading, social media frenzy (Google Trends), and why implied volatility is hitting triple digits. The "Bubble" Checklist: Is silver in a bubble? Brett explains the "constant feeding" requirement and why the metal is currently thriving on global uncertainty. Fed Day Reality Check: A look at the top 10 most active futures products. While metals dominate the headlines, the volume remains concentrated in NASDAQ Micros (MNQ) and 10-Year Notes. Lurking Wild Cards: Why the upcoming Supreme Court decision on tariffs and a potential government shutdown are the "uncertainty triggers" the market is ignoring. Energy Complex Update: Why crude oil is stuck in a sideways band despite tensions in Iran and Ukraine, and the "demand destruction" currently hitting the cocoa and orange juice markets.
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The Futures Rundown 62: The Greenland Trade War & Precious Metals Surge | Silver, Nat Gas, Lithium
01/22/2026
The Futures Rundown 62: The Greenland Trade War & Precious Metals Surge | Silver, Nat Gas, Lithium
Mark Longo breaks down a tumultuous week 3 of 2026 as geopolitical tensions over Greenland drive massive futures volume. The first three weeks of 2026 have been a geopolitical whirlwind. From "snatch and grab" maneuvers in Venezuela to carrier strike fleets moving toward Iran, and now a brewing trade war over Greenland, the futures markets are lighting up with volatility. Mark Longo takes you into the trading pit for a breakdown of what's limit up and what's crashing. Inside the Trading Pit: The Metals Super-Cycle: Silver continues its rampage, up another 7.6% this week after a 25% gain last week. Is it unstoppable? Energy Update: An arctic polar vortex is sending Natural Gas soaring over 21% this week. Meanwhile, Heating Oil jumps 6.25% as the cold snap hits the Midwest. Lithium's Wild Ride: Up nearly 11% this week and a staggering 42.4% year-to-date. Mark explores what's driving this electric move. The Crypto Slide: Bitcoin and Ether futures both outpaced the downside this week, dropping 6% and 9% respectively. Ag & Softs: Cocoa continues to get cheaper for your breakfast table, down nearly 15% this week and 26% for the year. Volume King: The Nasdaq 100 Micro steals the throne with over 2.1 million contracts on the tape. Watch the Year-to-Date Leaders: We analyze the rotation out of large-cap tech and the surprising strength in commodities like Palladium and Platinum. 0:00 – Introduction: 19 Years of the Network! 1:30 – Geopolitical Update: Venezuela, Iran, and Greenland 3:45 – Top 5 Gainers: Silver, Nat Gas, and the "Shiny Stuff" 6:10 – Top 5 Losers: The Crypto Pain & Cocoa’s Collapse 9:20 – Volume Report: Nasdaq Micros vs. The 10-Year Note 11:50 – Year-to-Date Movers: Lithium’s 42% Rampage 14:00 – Closing Remarks: Join us for This Week in Futures Options Brought to you by
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The Futures Rundown 61: Werewolves Beware! The Silver Rampage Continues
01/15/2026
The Futures Rundown 61: Werewolves Beware! The Silver Rampage Continues
Is the "Silver Rampage" the start of a massive new commodity super cycle? On this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo is joined by the newly minted VIX Crystal Ball Hall of Famer, Rich Excel, to break down one of the wildest weeks in commodity history. While the "Tech Wreck" pulls down equities, the metals are lighting up the tape with silver posting a massive 19% gain in a single week. We dive deep into why "price insensitive buyers" are driving spot prices higher and what it means for your trailing stops. Inside This Episode: 0:00 - Intro & The VIX Hall of Fame Induction 3:45 - Metals Dominance: Why Gold led and Silver is finally catching up with abandon. 7:15 - The Energy Flare-Up: WTI, Brent, and Heating Oil's 10%+ weekly surge. 11:00 - Silver Squeeze 2026: Are we looking at $100 Silver? Analyzing the 100+ IV. 16:30 - Ag Markets & The Breakfast Table: Why OJ and Cocoa are cratering while everything else pops. 21:10 - VIX Crystal Ball 2026: Rich Excel gives his official "Revolutionary" year-end prediction. 26:45 - Hogwarts for Traders: How the derivatives experts are positioned for Q1. Resources for Traders: Brought to you by Tastytrade: Join the Pro Team: #FuturesTrading #SilverShortSqueeze #GoldPrice #Commodities #VIX #MacroInvesting #SilverPrice #EnergyFutures #Tastytrade #FuturesRundown
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The Futures Rundown 60: The Big Adios to 2025 – Silver, OJ & Venezuela
01/08/2026
The Futures Rundown 60: The Big Adios to 2025 – Silver, OJ & Venezuela
Happy New Year! We are kicking off 2026 on The Futures Rundown by giving the "Big Adios" to the wild, untamed year that was 2025. Mark Longo and Dan Gramza of Gramza Capital Management reunite to break down the final ledger of a year that was anything but boring in the pits. From the absolute explosion in Silver (+140%) and Platinum to the brutal sell-off in Orange Juice and Rough Rice, we count down the Top 10 movers of the year. We also dive into the recent geopolitical shifts in Venezuela and why the crude oil market isn’t reacting the way many expected. In this episode, we explore: The Precious Metals Clean Sweep: Why Silver was the late-bloomer that ended the year up a staggering 140%. The 2025 Leaderboard: Deep dives into the winners like Lithium, Copper, and the surprising strength of the Brazilian Real. The "Big Adios" Losers: Breaking down the 50% drop in OJ and the continued struggles for the Widowmaker (Natural Gas). Energy Outlook 2026: Dan Gramza explains the infrastructure and political hurdles facing Venezuela’s oil production and what it means for WTI and Brent prices. The Crypto Futures Flip: Analyzing the volatile year for Bitcoin and Ether futures and why spot vs. futures performance varied so widely. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Dan Gramza’s Daily Videos: Join the Pro Community: Episode Sponsor:
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The Futures Rundown 59: Partying With Cheese and Lithium... Plus Silver, ETH and Crude Oil
12/18/2025
The Futures Rundown 59: Partying With Cheese and Lithium... Plus Silver, ETH and Crude Oil
In this episode of The Futures Rundown on The Options Insider Radio Network, host Mark Longo is joined by Jamal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy at Tastytrade. Together, they dissect the final trading weeks of 2025, providing a deep dive into the high-volatility moves across metals, energy, and digital assets. Market Deep Dives: Precious Metals: Why Silver ($SI) has become the inescapable asset of 2025, hitting new highs near the $65 level, and the massive year-to-date runs in Gold ($GC), Platinum, and Palladium. The Energy Complex: Analyzing the "Bruhaha" in Crude Oil ($CL) following Venezuelan embargoes and the steep correction in Natural Gas ($NG). Crypto Trends: Is a "Crypto Winter" coming for Ether ($ETH)? We break down the 15% weekly drawdown and the maturity of the crypto ecosystem. Agricultural Movers: A look at the surprise rallies in Lithium and Cash Settled Cheese, alongside the underperformance of Coffee and Orange Juice. Key Segments: The Trading Pit: A review of the most active contracts, including the Nasdaq-100 Micro and 10-year notes. Year-to-Date Movers: Which assets took the "rocket ship to the moon" and which are ending 2025 as the biggest losers? Prediction Markets: The implications of binaries on everything from sports to the Oscars. Listener Polls: Is it time to buy the dip in Silver or get out before 2026?
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The Futures Rundown 58: Are These Markets Broken?
12/04/2025
The Futures Rundown 58: Are These Markets Broken?
Futures markets and commodity trading expert Carley Garner joins Mark Longo on 'The Futures Rundown' for a deep dive into metals, energy, and ag products. In this episode, we tackle risk management during volatile times, analyze year-to-date performance, and explore key market movements, including silver volatility and seasonal trends in coffee futures. Carly offers sage advice, covering everything from liquidity issues to an intriguing dive into the Japanese Yen. We also discuss the contentious topic of binaries and predictions markets, plus debate the essential question: Is cranberry sauce a side or a topping?
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The Futures Rundown 57: Slinging Futures and Eating Cranberry Sauce
11/26/2025
The Futures Rundown 57: Slinging Futures and Eating Cranberry Sauce
In this Thanksgiving Eve episode of the Futures Rundown, host Mark Longo navigates the complexities of the futures markets, breaking down the top futures trading activity for the week. The episode covers a diverse array of futures, including Ethereum, sugar, silver, S&P mid-caps, small caps, and more. The show also delves into the CME's new Solana futures contracts, exploring their specifics and implications for traders. To wrap up, a lively discussion on Thanksgiving side dishes ensues, with a poll questioning whether cranberry sauce is a side dish or merely a topping.
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The Futures Rundown 56: The Great Binary Bet: Will Prediction Markets Eat Futures Volume?
11/20/2025
The Futures Rundown 56: The Great Binary Bet: Will Prediction Markets Eat Futures Volume?
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider In this episode, host Mark Longo delves into the latest trends and activities in the futures markets. The discussion starts with a review of the week’s top performers, including Midwest Steel, oats, and heating oil, and highlights the significant gains in lithium and VIX futures. Conversely, it also covers the major downturns, with lumber, cocoa, and Bitcoin experiencing notable declines. The episode features an in-depth look at trading volumes, revealing a busy day in the trading pits with the Ultra T-Bond, NASDAQ 100, and three-month SOFR among the top traded assets. The show also addresses broader market trends, year-to-date performances, and engages with audience questions about the potential impact of binary options on intraday futures volume.
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The Futures Rundown 55: Metals Still Reign Supreme
11/13/2025
The Futures Rundown 55: Metals Still Reign Supreme
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider In this episode of the Futures Rundown, host Mark Longo examines the latest activities and trends in the futures market. The episode highlights the top and bottom performers of the week, focusing on commodities like platinum, gold, nat gas, and silver. Mark also discusses the trading volume levels and notable trading products.
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The Futures Rundown 54: Hunting for the Big Adios in Metals, Crypto and More
11/06/2025
The Futures Rundown 54: Hunting for the Big Adios in Metals, Crypto and More
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group GUEST HOST: Dan Gramza, Gramza Capital Management In this episode, Mark Longo and Dan Gramza explore the latest activities in various futures markets, including stocks, currencies, interest rates, metals, and commodities like crude oil, natural gas, soybeans, and more. Key highlights include market movements, technical analysis, and predictions for future trends. Listener questions about crypto sell-offs and specific commodity movements are also addressed.
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The Futures Rundown 53: The Fed Strikes Again
10/30/2025
The Futures Rundown 53: The Fed Strikes Again
In this episode, hosted by Mark Longo, listeners are guided through the complexities of the futures markets. The episode discusses top futures trading activities, including the recent impacts of rate cuts by Powell and Company. It highlights significant movements in high-grade copper, hard red winter wheat, soybean meal, heating oil, and more. The show also examines active trades and trends in the market, addressing items like the S&P 500 PE ratio and how geopolitical events influence trading decisions. The episode concludes with a question-answer session tackling listener inquiries and market trends.
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The Futures Rundown 52: Gold Tanking, Nat Gas Surging
10/23/2025
The Futures Rundown 52: Gold Tanking, Nat Gas Surging
HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group GUEST: Kevin Green, Schwab Network In this episode, host Mark Longo and special guest Kevin Green from the Schwab Network analyze the latest trends in the futures markets. They discuss the recent performance of key assets, including crude oil, natural gas, and precious metals like gold and silver. The show also explores the impact of market volatility on trading volumes, with particular attention to the activity in equity futures, treasuries, and the rise of micro contracts. Additionally, the episode features a detailed discussion on the year's top performers and losers in the futures markets.
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The Futures Rundown 51: The Big Adios for Gold, Nat Gas and Livestock?
10/09/2025
The Futures Rundown 51: The Big Adios for Gold, Nat Gas and Livestock?
Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group Guest: Dan Gramza, Gramza Capital Management This episode dives deep into the current state of gold, discussing its impressive year-to-date performance and its role as a barometer for economic sentiment. Other key topics include the dynamics of feeder cattle, the impact of interest rates on market trends, and the ongoing strength of the US dollar. They also touch on notable fluctuations in exotic markets like orange juice and oat futures. The episode further examines trading volumes, sector-specific movements, and potential future trends in markets, including cryptocurrencies.
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The Futures Rundown 50: Shutdown Surprises
10/02/2025
The Futures Rundown 50: Shutdown Surprises
In this episode, Mark Longo and guest Morad Askar delve into the complexities of the futures markets. They discuss the recent market activities, including significant movements in NatGas, precious metals, and the stock market's reaction to the government shutdown. The episode also covers year-to-date movers, highlighting key players like gold and crypto, and explores the ongoing debate between gold and VIX as indicators of market sentiment. Additionally, they provide insights into various trading strategies and the benefits of using micros and why certain futures might not be suitable for all investors. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:58 Market Analysis: Government Shutdown and Market Reactions 07:03 Futures Market Movers: Ups and Downs 14:14 Top 10 Contracts and Trading Insights 18:14 NASDAQ's Dominance in Equity Volume 18:33 Year-to-Date Movers: Precious Metals and Crypto 21:18 Downside Movers: A Rough Year for Some Commodities 22:22 Futures Market Insights and Trading Advice 23:29 Crypto Futures and Hedging Strategies 24:56 Debating Market Sentiment: Gold vs. VIX 25:33 Futures Free-for-All: Audience Q&A 32:56 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Contact Info
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The Futures Rundown 49: Is Gold in a Bubble?
09/24/2025
The Futures Rundown 49: Is Gold in a Bubble?
Mark and guest Brett Friedman from Winhall Risk Analytics and OptionMetrics discuss the dynamics of the futures markets, particularly focusing on precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum. They delve into the recent performance trends, debate if gold is in a bubble, and analyze its behavior as a market fear gauge. Additionally, the episode covers year-to-date movers across various commodities, including feeder cattle, palladium, and uranium, as well as those that have decreased in value like cocoa and natural gas. 01:30 Welcome and Show Overview 02:40 Guest Introduction: Brett Friedman 04:32 Gold Market Analysis 07:09 Precious Metals and Market Trends 21:14 Downside Movers and Market Activity 27:07 Year-to-Date Movers and Market Insights 32:08 Conclusion and Upcoming Content
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The Futures Rundown 48: Did the Fed Just Kill Gold?
09/18/2025
The Futures Rundown 48: Did the Fed Just Kill Gold?
In this episode, Mark breaks down the impact of the latest Federal Reserve rate cut on various futures markets. With guest John Seguin from Market Taker Mentoring, they discuss the market's reaction to the Fed's quarter-point rate cut and subsequent hints at future rate reductions. The conversation covers the performance of various assets, including precious metals like gold and silver, as well as the volatility in agricultural products and softs such as sugar and coffee. They also delve into the broader implications for equities and interest rates, providing key levels to watch in the coming days. The episode wraps up with audience questions, tackling the complexities and unpredictabilities of trading specific futures contracts. 02:00 Welcome to the Futures Rundown 03:33 Market Analysis and Insights 04:47 Fed's Impact on the Markets 12:35 Commodity Movers and Shakers 18:54 Top 10 Most Active Contracts 20:40 Analyzing Market Momentum 22:06 Weekly Fair Price Analysis 24:36 Yearly Movers and Shakers 28:52 Futures Free for All Q&A 34:41 Closing Remarks and Resources
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The Futures Rundown 47: One-Year Anniversary Spectacular
09/11/2025
The Futures Rundown 47: One-Year Anniversary Spectacular
In this one-year anniversary episode of The Futures Rundown, host Mark Longo celebrates a year of exploring the futures markets. He begins with a brief look back at the show's origins and then dives into the "Trading Pit" segment. This week's top five movers include gains in Midwest Steel, Ultra T-Bond, Coffee, FCOJ, and Dry Whey, while Cash Settled Butter, Rough Rice, Platinum, Ethanol, and the VIX saw declines. Mark notes a surprisingly robust trading day with high volume, highlighting the most active contracts in a mixed market. For the special anniversary segment, he reviews the top and bottom performers over the past year, with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the gains, and agricultural and dairy products like OJ and Cash Settled Butter seeing significant losses. The episode concludes with the "Futures Free for All" Q&A, where a listener asks about the "60/40 thing" in futures. Mark explains Section 1256 contracts and their favorable tax treatment, providing an example of how the 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains rule applies to futures profits, a key advantage for frequent traders. Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Reflection on One-Year Anniversary of the Show. 3:00 - Trading Pit: This segment breaks down the week's market activity. 3:00 - Market Overview 5:25 - Top 5 Upward Movers: 7:58 - Top 5 Downward Movers 10:20 - Most Active Contracts by Volume 13:58 - One-Year Movers and Shakers: A special anniversary segment reviewing a full year of futures market performance. 22:50 - Futures Free for All (Q&A): Mark answers a listener's question about the 60/40 rule for futures taxes. 32:32 - Conclusion
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The Futures Rundown 46: Coffee, Ether and XRP...Oh My!
08/27/2025
The Futures Rundown 46: Coffee, Ether and XRP...Oh My!
Welcome to The Futures Rundown, the show where we break down all the action in the futures markets. In this episode, we're giving you a special early edition to catch up on all the week's biggest moves. We’ll analyze the top movers to the upside and downside, reveal the most actively traded contracts, and dive deep into a crypto futures product that surprised even our hosts. Timestamps 2:05 The Trading Pit: A rundown of this week's top movers. 2:26 Winners of the week 3:27 Losers of the week 4:28 Most Active Contracts 7:22 Year-to-Date trends: The biggest losers of the year 8:20 Year-to-Date trends: The biggest winners of the year 10:18 Answering a listener question about XRP futures.
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The Futures Rundown 45: Let's Talk Cattle And Crypto
08/21/2025
The Futures Rundown 45: Let's Talk Cattle And Crypto
In this episode of The Futures Rundown, host Mark Longo is joined by guest Carley Garner from DeCarley Trading to discuss the latest action in the futures markets. They begin by exploring an unexpected commodity that has caught Carley's attention: feeder cattle, and the challenges producers face in a record-high market. The conversation then shifts to a detailed breakdown of the week's top movers, both to the upside and downside, in agricultural, energy, and crypto futures. Mark and Carley analyze surprising trends, including a deflationary narrative in commodities and the extreme volatility of crypto products like Ether. The episode concludes with a deep dive into the contract specifications for the newer Solana futures, including a discussion on contract sizing and the pros and cons of cash settlement for crypto futures. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome 04:08 The Trading Pit: Feeder Cattle and Grain Markets 06:50 The Week's Top 5 Upside Movers 10:35 The Week's Top 5 Downside Movers 15:05 Host and Guest Discuss Crypto Options 17:25 Top 10 Most Active Futures Contracts 23:25 The Year-to-Date Movers (Losers) 27:30 The Year-to-Date Movers (Winners) 31:35 Contract Specs: Solana Futures 39:00 Final Thoughts and Outro
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The Futures Rundown 44: ETH Steals The Show
08/14/2025
The Futures Rundown 44: ETH Steals The Show
In this episode of The Futures Rundown, host Mark Longo is joined by Nick Cassano, the Director of Trading and Risk Management at Tradier, who shares insights on trading activities and market trends. They discuss the top gainers and losers of the year, focusing on the significant movements in cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and traditional markets such as the NASDAQ, soybeans, and platinum. The episode also addresses listener questions about ETH's resurgence and its potential impact on future options trading. 00:00 Introduction to Options Insider Radio Network 01:07 Understanding the Futures Markets 02:59 Guest Introduction: Nick Cassano 04:10 Market Analysis: Movers and Shakers 05:04 Crypto Market Insights 06:42 Top Futures Trading Activity 17:04 Year-to-Date Market Trends 23:33 Futures Free for All: Listener Q&A 30:36 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Shows
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The Futures Rundown 43: Tsunamis, Dust Storms and the Fed...Oh My!
07/31/2025
The Futures Rundown 43: Tsunamis, Dust Storms and the Fed...Oh My!
This episode dives into the complexities of the futures market with host Mark Longo and guest Dan Gramza from Gramza Capital Management. The discussion covers various topics including the impact of Fed decisions on the markets, with particular attention to recent reactions and movements in interest rates and equities. They also explore the effects of weather events on agricultural futures such as soybean, corn, and wheat, particularly in light of a dust storm in the Midwest. Additionally, the episode touches on the performance of energy sectors like crude oil, the notable gains and declines of precious metals and cryptocurrencies over the year, and the intricacies of long-term tracking of futures prices. The show concludes with listener questions on earthquake and tsunami impacts on ag markets, showcasing the community's engagement. 01:07 Exploring the Futures Markets 03:15 Market Analysis with Dan Grama 04:02 Trading Pit Insights 04:19 Fed Day Market Reactions 07:40 Commodity Market Movements 09:01 Top Movers and Shakers 23:45 Year-to-Date Market Analysis 24:39 Biggest Losers of the Year 25:14 Soybean Meal and Other Declines 27:05 Top Movers of the Year 28:35 The Controversy of Ether's Performance 34:17 Futures Free-for-All Q&A 37:02 Impact of Weather on Agriculture 42:26 Global Agricultural Market Dynamics 43:53 Wrapping Up and Listener Appreciation
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The Futures Rundown 42: Is ETH the Comeback Story Of the Year?
07/24/2025
The Futures Rundown 42: Is ETH the Comeback Story Of the Year?
In this episode of 'The Futures Rundown,' listeners are introduced to various insights and trends in the futures markets. The show covers the recent trends in the futures market, touching on key products like metals, agricultural commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Key highlights include silver's strong performance, a deep dive into Ethereum's remarkable turnaround, and discussions around the Commitment of Traders (COT) report. Additionally, there are segments where the hosts provide tips for beginners entering futures markets, with specific advice on trading strategies and capital requirements for different futures products. The episode features special guest Morad Askar from EdgeClear, who shares his expertise on futures trading and risk management. 01:27 Introducing the Futures Rundown 04:13 Guest Introduction: Morad Askar from EdgeClear 06:25 Market Analysis: Upside Movers 13:25 Market Analysis: Downside Movers 16:01 Top 10 Most Active Futures Contracts 21:49 Impact of Current Administration on Industry 22:20 Deflationary Trends in Commodities 23:13 Top Performing Metals of the Year 26:32 Futures Free for All: Listener Q&A 27:33 Tips for Futures Spread Trading 29:42 Getting Started in FX Trading 34:43 Understanding the COT Report 38:21 Capital Requirements for Futures Trading 43:04 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
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The Futures Rundown 41: Revenge of the Most-Hated Assets
07/17/2025
The Futures Rundown 41: Revenge of the Most-Hated Assets
In this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo and Dan Gramza (Gramza Capital Management) delve into the volatile and sometimes confusing world of futures trading. Key topics include the complexities of the futures markets, with a special spotlight on commodities and cryptocurrencies, such as the performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum. They also discuss the latest movements in key futures like crude oil and agricultural products. Dan provides his insights, highlighting significant market drivers, from geopolitical events to Federal Reserve policies. As always, the show concludes with audience questions, offering practical advice for navigating these unpredictable markets. 01:07 Welcome to The Futures Rundown 02:09 Exploring the Futures Markets with Dan Gramza 03:30 Entering the Trading Pit 09:13 Market Movers: Ups and Downs 15:53 Analyzing Market Volume and Trends 22:57 Crypto Market Surge: ETH's Wild Week 23:19 Washington's Changing Attitude Towards Crypto 24:38 Big Moves in the Crypto Market 26:11 Year-to-Date Losers: A Look at the Red 30:49 Year-to-Date Winners: Metals and More 36:18 Futures Free For All: Listener Q&A 39:45 Crypto Poll and Market Outlook 43:18 Wrapping Up: Resources and New Shows
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The Futures Rundown 40: Dust Bowls and Defense Against the Dark Arts
07/09/2025
The Futures Rundown 40: Dust Bowls and Defense Against the Dark Arts
In this episode of the Futures Rundown, listeners are welcomed back to explore the complexities of the futures markets with host Mark and guest Rich Excel from the University of Illinois Gies School of Business. The discussion kicks off with a recap of past episodes and recent market trends, including a notable dive into uranium and the latest in the futures market activities such as the performance of commodities, metals, and major indices. Rich discusses his recent educational trip to Europe, where he expanded the horizons of derivative students, covering key spots like Frankfurt, Zurich, and Vienna. The episode goes further into dissecting the top upside and downside movers in the futures market for the year and delves into Rich’s insights on global bond market attractiveness, especially focusing on Japan. The show wraps up with a playful yet divisive debate on the controversial issue of ketchup on hot dogs, reflecting listener sentiments and sparking lively interaction among the audience. 02:59 Welcome Back, Rich Excel 04:20 Diving into the Trading Pits 06:09 Market Movers and Shakers 11:32 Analyzing the Downside 15:11 Active Day in the Futures Market 22:36 Exploring the Japanese Market Angle 23:00 Mid-Year Market Trends and Insights 23:27 Top Performing Assets of the Year 26:40 Analyzing the Downside Movers 29:56 Futures Free for All: Q&A Session 34:00 The Great Ketchup Debate 38:05 European Derivatives Tour Highlights 40:18 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
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The Futures Rundown 39: What's the Deal With the Uranium Market?
07/02/2025
The Futures Rundown 39: What's the Deal With the Uranium Market?
This episode explores the challenges and intricacies of trading uranium futures. Mark Longo and Dan Gramza discuss a listener question about the viability and current status of uranium futures listed on CME, revealing the lack of volume, industrial participation, and official dissemination. They suggest alternatives such as trading uranium-related ETFs, stocks, and even blockchain options. The hosts emphasize the importance of liquidity and risk management, providing listeners with insights into the broader implications of trading in esoteric and illiquid markets. 01:07 Introduction to Futures Markets 02:10 Exploring Uranium Futures 03:47 Challenges in Trading Uranium Futures 08:15 Alternative Uranium Investment Options 16:21 Final Thoughts and Resources
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The Futures Rundown 38: Middle East Turmoil: Futures Market Impact
06/26/2025
The Futures Rundown 38: Middle East Turmoil: Futures Market Impact
This episode of The Futures Rundown, hosted by Mark Longo and featuring guest Dan Gramza from Gramza Capital Management, delves into the intricacies of the futures markets. Discussions include the volatility in energy markets prompted by Middle Eastern conflicts, with a focus on crude oil and natural gas price fluctuations. The episode covers performance trends in various futures assets, including significant movements in soybean oil, platinum, copper, and precious metals. The hosts also address user questions about the impacts of geopolitical events on market behavior and provide insights on specific commodity trends like coffee and silver. 02:09 Welcome to the Futures Rundown 03:24 Market Analysis with Dan Gramza 06:19 Impact of Mideast Conflict on Markets 12:13 Crude Oil and Natural Gas Insights 18:13 Upside Movers in the Futures Market 21:12 Downside Movers in the Futures Market 21:23 Energy Market Highlights 22:55 Coffee Market Analysis 25:48 Futures Market Activity 29:59 Year-to-Date Market Trends 33:13 Soybean Oil vs. Soybean Meal 36:20 Silver and Copper Insights 39:49 Dan's Market Analysis and Resources 42:07 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
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The Futures Rundown 37: Crude, Crypto, Metals and a Delicious Futures Breakfast
06/18/2025
The Futures Rundown 37: Crude, Crypto, Metals and a Delicious Futures Breakfast
In this episode of the Futures Rundown from Options Insider Radio Network, host Mark Longo and guest Kevin Green from Schwab Network dive into the dynamic world of futures trading. They discuss the current volatility in the futures market, driven by recent geopolitical events and energy market fluctuations. Key highlights include the impact of soybean oil and crude oil due to geopolitical risks, the performance of key commodities and precious metals, and a detailed analysis of the top gainers and losers year-to-date. Additionally, they explore the changes in market sentiment and trading volume across various futures contracts. 02:00 Welcome to the Futures Rundown 02:09 Market Analysis and Trading Insights 04:11 Top Movers in the Futures Market 05:17 Upside and Downside Movers 16:49 Year-to-Date Trends in Futures 21:53 Conclusion and Farewell
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The Futures Rundown 36: The Least Dirty Shirt in the Hamper
06/12/2025
The Futures Rundown 36: The Least Dirty Shirt in the Hamper
In this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo discusses the intricacies of the futures markets with guest Carley Garner from DeCarley Trading. They delve into current market trends, focusing on the top movers in futures, including rates, equities, and precious metals. The conversation touches on key trading strategies, the season's market behavior, and the importance of risk management. Carley shares insights on the complexities of trading in less liquid markets, such as orange juice futures and options, and the advantages of focusing on familiar trading instruments. The episode wraps up with listener questions, exploring topics like viable trading strategies and hard-earned lessons in trading. 01:27 Introducing the Futures Rundown 03:01 Special Guest: Carley Garner 04:48 The Trading Pit: Market Analysis 07:06 Top Movers: Downside and Upside 16:30 Rates vs. Equities: A Market Overview 18:54 Discussing the Euro's Performance 19:58 Year-to-Date Movers: Downside 24:02 Year-to-Date Movers: Upside 27:08 Futures Free for All: Listener Q&A 36:13 Concluding Remarks and Resources
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The Futures Rundown 35: Raging Dust Storms
06/05/2025
The Futures Rundown 35: Raging Dust Storms
In this episode, Mark Longo and guest Dan Gramza discuss current hot topics in futures trading, including the complexities of the 10-Year Note contract specs, the impact of tariffs on the global market, and the performance of various futures contracts ranging from metals like gold and silver to agricultural products like oats and soybeans. They also delve into intriguing market movements, from the resilience of the stock market to the drop in volatility and the perplexing activity in oats. A brief light humor ensues, discussing personal anecdotes relating to unexpected market behaviors like a rare dust storm in Chicago. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:55 Discussing the 10-Year Note 02:52 Options Insider Radio Network Introduction 03:59 Futures Rundown Overview 07:19 Top Movers and Shakers in Futures 07:58 In-Depth Analysis of Specific Futures 19:55 Agricultural Market Insights 25:33 Dust Storm and Local Crop Impact 28:52 Most Active Futures Contracts 31:11 Market Activity Overview 31:29 Interest Rates and Market Uncertainty 33:41 Year-to-Date Movers: Top Performers 34:47 Gold and Central Bank Demand 39:10 Year-to-Date Movers: Biggest Losers 42:29 Lithium and Emerging Battery Technologies 44:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics
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