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Futures Trading Holiday Schedule for 2020

January 20, 2020 by Daniels Trading| Tips & Strategies

In the futures markets, holiday trading poses a collection of unique challenges. Abnormally thin market depth frequently results in choppy price action, wide bid/ask spreads, and increased slippage. Each of these factors can undermine your profitability and reduce trade-related efficiency.

For anyone who is active in the markets, it’s a good idea to periodically review the yearly futures trading holiday schedule. This will help you anticipate and avoid periods of subpar trading conditions. Dead markets can be profit killers. Unless your strategy is designed to thrive in such an environment, it’s usually best to kick back and wait for the action to return to full strength.

Futures Trading Holiday Schedule for 2020

A holiday session is one during which the exchanges “halt” operations early or are closed altogether. As a general rule, the trading volumes on holidays are much lower than normal because a large portion of regular traders are on vacation.

Although lagging participation is typically the case, each market closure features a unique set of circumstances. Even though an early halt to the trading day typically includes low volatility and relatively quiet conditions, this scenario isn’t 100 percent guaranteed. Occasionally, large block orders can instantly sweep prices higher or lower. Because of the inconsistent order flow, it can be inherently risky to trade on or around holiday sessions.
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The premier destination for active derivatives traders is the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). Featuring 19.2 million contracts in average daily volume (ADV) for 2019, the CME is the largest futures exchange in the world. Here is the CME’s futures trading holiday schedule for 2020:

US Holiday Impacted Dates Market Close/Early Halt
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 17-21, 2020 1/20/20 Early Halt
President’s Day February 14-18, 2020 2/17/20 Early Hal
Good Friday   April 9-13, 2020 4/10/20 Closed
Memorial Day May 22-26, 2020 5/25/20 Early Halt
Independence Day July 2-6, 2020 7/3/20 Early Halt
Labor Day   September 4-8, 2020 9/7/20 Early Halt
Thanksgiving November 25-27, 2020 11/26/20 Early Halt
Christmas December 24-28, 2020 12/25/20 Closed
New Year’s Dec. ­31, 2020-Jan. 4, 2021 1/1/21 Closed

**Early Halt designates a 12 p.m. CST closure

It’s important to remember that the CME’s futures trading holiday schedule doesn’t become official until two weeks prior to each date in question. In addition, exact holiday session opening and closing times may vary on a product-by-product basis. Because of these two factors, it’s a good idea to check out the official CME calendar several days ahead of any listed holiday.

If you’re actively trading products on the Chicago Futures Exchange (CFE), referring to the CFE’s futures trading holiday schedule will be necessary. The designated holidays are the same, but session times and product schedules may vary. For more information on the CFE’s calendar, refer to its website.

Holiday Trading Is No Vacation!

By far, the No. 1 pitfall that most unsuccessful traders fall victim to is haphazard risk management. Unfortunately, the apparent “slow” holiday trading conditions are perceived by many as presenting a lessened risk profile. This is often simply not the case―illiquid markets, such as those found on holidays, can be extremely difficult to trade.

Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break from the markets. Sometimes recharging your batteries while spending time with family and friends is more valuable than grabbing a winning trade during a holiday session. To stay abreast of the current futures trading holiday schedule and all key dates in the market, check out Daniels Trading’s Futures Calendars & Reference Guide.
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Filed Under: Tips & Strategies

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is an independent futures brokerage firm located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading is built on a culture of trust committed to the firm’s mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

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Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

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