Spot, futures, contango and backwardation
How commodity prices differ between today's price and future contracts, and why funds that hold futures can lose value when spot is flat.
Guides
How each market works and what can go wrong, written to be understood the first time. For newer pieces from the desk, see Articles.
Silver and the gold/silver ratio
Why silver behaves differently from gold, what the gold/silver ratio measures, and how to read it without over-reading it.
Position sizing: how many shares is the right number?
A simple method for turning an account size, a risk limit and a stop price into a share count, with a worked example.
Order types: market, limit, stop and stop-limit
What each common order type does, when it can surprise you, and how to choose between them.
Options basics: calls, puts and payoff at expiry
What calls and puts are, how their profit and loss work at expiry, and the risks that catch new traders off guard.
What moves the price of gold
The main forces behind gold prices, from real interest rates and the dollar to central bank demand, and the ways to own it.
Crypto custody: exchanges, wallets and what can go wrong
The practical difference between leaving crypto on an exchange and holding your own keys, with the risks on each side.
Why bond prices fall when yields rise
The seesaw between bond prices and yields explained with a worked example, plus what duration tells you about the size of the move.
Education only. All Markets Desk publishes education and general information, not investment, tax or legal advice. Trading involves risk of loss, including loss of everything you put in. Read the disclaimer and risk disclosure.