[notouch]

We hear a lot about CBOT ags but does anyone trade CME ags on Globex? Live Cattle seems to be the big one but I know very little about it apart from what I've seen in technical analysis books. Volume seems light to say the least. I know the CME website has the contract specs but I wonder if anyone can shed any more light on the subject.

[torero]

I see little volume on ags on CME compared to CBOT, not going to touch that.

Knock yourself out. I'll stick with the volume and volatility over at the CBOT with their grains.

Softs and meats at the CME just aren't worth the hassle nor the expense at this time.

[torero]

There are books, like Market Wizards, mentioned live cattle, lumber and others that now seem like little volume markets, how they change over time. But CBOT ags to be the ones that last through time.

Does anyone have an opinion NYMEX gold vs CBOT gold? Any insight you like to share? Thanks.

Originally Posted by torero »

Does anyone have an opinion NYMEX gold vs CBOT gold? Any insight you like to share?

The volume and volatility is at the COMEX (NYMEX) for metals. Many folks do trade the CBOT, if only because their brokers don't support NYMEX contracts at a rate competitive with the fees at the CBOT.

CBOT metals are thinner than the COMEX; expect more slippage as a result. And also, the so-called minis (mini-gold, mini-silver) at the CBOT aren't worth the time or trouble to trade, unless you're adept in trading thin markets.

[notouch]

Mini-gold is fine if you just want to trade one or two $5 a tick contracts to test out some strategies. There's not much volume but due to arbitrage there's always enough bids and offers for a 1-3 tick spread. I haven't traded it for a while but that was my experience about a year ago.

Watch out for the 666 pivot.