Saratoga Futures Bloghttp://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/en-US2008-08-20T07:29:36ZSquarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Futures vs. ETFs 08/18/08http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/futures-vs-etfs-081808.htmlBrett2008-08-19T18:33:43ZFutures DataPAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
Product Future Volume Factor* ETF Volume Futures Liquidity Multiple
S&P 500 ES  1,704,267  500 SPY  172,257,104  4.9
NASDAQ 100 NQ  353,211  800  QQQQ  151,399,008  1.9
Russell 2000 ER2  187,949  1000 IWM 97,843,696  1.9
Gold GC 102,685  1000 GLD 14,071,800  7.3

Silver 

 SI 31,696  10000  SLV 8,968,300  35.3
Crude Oil CL 403,811  1000 USO 10,115,800  39.9
* Factor - the number of ETF shares that are approximately equivalent in notional value to the notional value of one futures contract]]>Electronic vs. Pit Volume 08/18/08http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/electronic-vs-pit-volume-081808.htmlBrett2008-08-19T18:27:27ZFutures DataPAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS


Product Electronic Volume
 Pit Volume
 Percent Electronic of Total Volume
Crude Oil 403,811  36,386  92%
Natural Gas 133,680  15,860  89%
Corn  131,261  30,187  81%
Soybeans  85,889  7,484  92%
Wheat 74,821  9,800  88%
Live Cattle 7,272  19,932  27%
Lean Hogs 6,803  8,662  44%
COMEX Gold 102,685  10,245  91%
COMEX Silver 31,696  5,104  86%
COMEX Copper 14,088  3,215  81%
]]>The Great Consumer Crash of 2009http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/the-great-consumer-crash-of-2009.htmlJay L2008-08-19T17:46:44ZFinance and Investingβ€œIt is easy to ignore the storm if you look at the opposite horizon.  When the storm reaches your location there can be no more ignorance.”

I hate to tell you, but the storm has reached your location and it is a Category 5 hurricane. The levees are leaking. Ignore it at your own peril. The 6,000 sq ft McMansion buying, BMW leasing, $5 Starbucks latte drinking, granite countertop upgrading, home equity borrowing days are coming to an end. The American consumer will not go without a fight.  More>>

]]>CME-Nymex: Members Go in Like Lions, Out Like Lambshttp://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/cme-nymex-members-go-in-like-lions-out-like-lambs.htmlBrett2008-08-19T14:10:02ZFutures NewsThursday night, a group of dissident members of the New York Mercantile Exchange put an end to two weeks of wrangling and threats against the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which has offered $8 billion to buy its rival. more>>

]]>Abu Dhabi bourse to launch derivatives trade by end-’09http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/abu-dhabi-bourse-to-launch-derivatives-trade-by-end-09.htmlBrett2008-08-19T14:04:35ZFutures NewsThe Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), will start derivatives trading next year in an effort to keep pace with rival bourses competing for a greater share of regional capital, an official said. more>>]]>Treasury Tuesdayshttp://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/treasury-tuesdays.htmlJay L2008-08-19T13:42:23ZFutures DataBonddad: Let's first look at the macro-level picture to put the latest action in perspective.  More>>

]]>IMF Economist: Credit Crisis to Worsen; Large Bank May Failhttp://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/imf-economist-credit-crisis-to-worsen-large-bank-may-fail.htmlJay L2008-08-19T13:40:11ZFinance and Investing"The worst is yet to come in the U.S.''
-Kenneth Rogoff, former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund  More>>

]]>Running a Hedge Fund Is Harder Than It Looks on TVhttp://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/running-a-hedge-fund-is-harder-than-it-looks-on-tv.htmlJay L2008-08-19T13:34:11ZFinance and InvestingDo you remember a time, only a short while ago, when virtually anybody could start a hedge fund? It seemed so easy: billions of dollars were being thrown around like confetti, even at first-time managers. You could make money with your eyes closed. Or so it seemed.  More>>

]]>Ukraine Expects Biggest Harvest in A Decadehttp://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/ukraine-expects-biggest-harvest-in-a-decade.htmlBrett2008-08-19T13:32:19ZFutures Newsmore>>]]>Commodities Tumble As Gold Slides Below $800http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/8/19/commodities-tumble-as-gold-slides-below-800.htmlBrett2008-08-19T13:29:51ZFutures NewsFears that slowing economic growth was hurting global demand sent commodity prices across the board tumbling on Friday, with gold plunging below $800/oz, the biggest weekly decline in more than 25 years. more>>]]>