Don DeBartolo is a Series 3 licensed broker registered with the National Futures Association (NFA). Don’s career in the industry began as an arbitrage clerk in the S&P 500 futures pit at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). Taking his floor trading execution expertise and the ability to navigate a fast-paced environment, he transitioned to the brokerage side of the business. Since 2005, he has been a broker with Daniels Trading, a relationship-based firm in the heart of the financial district in Chicago. His responsibilities as a broker include providing trade execution, market analysis, and money management to his clients all over the world.
Pulling from his vast experience and proficiency in the futures and commodity options markets, Don is able to offer his clients timely insight, specialized trade recommendations, and educational information through his various writings and videos. In 2010, he developed a formal trade advisory for clients seeking specific trade recommendations and subsequent risk management.
Studying business at Loyola University Chicago, Don discovered and was captivated with the international sport of rugby. His rugby career spanned fifteen years, ten with the Chicago Griffins, a member of the previously highest league of rugby competition in the United States. Dexterity and discipline are two traits that carried over from the pitch to the trading screens.
Videos Featuring Don
Chicago Trading Seminar: Intra-Market vs. Inter-Commodity (12/11/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, defines Intra-Market vs.Inter-Commodity spreads at the GBE Chicago trading seminar on June 22, 2013.
Chicago Trading Seminar: Joke II (12/11/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, tells a joke to the audience at the GBE Chicago trading seminar on June 22, 2013.
Chicago Trading Seminar: Placing Spread Orders Through Your Broker (2/6/2014)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, explains how to place a futures spread trade order through your broker at the GBE Chicago trading seminar on June 22, 2013.
Chicago Trading Seminar: Seasonals Defined (1/7/2014)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, defines the seasonality of the markets at the GBE Chicago trading seminar on June 22, 2013.
Grant’s Pass, OR Trading Seminar: Joke (8/16/2014)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker with Daniels Trading, tells a trader joke at the GBE trading seminar on August 16, 2014.
Grant’s Pass, OR Trading Seminar: Option Contract Defined (8/16/2014)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker with Daniels Trading, defines a commodity option contract at the GBE trading seminar on August 16, 2014.
Grant’s Pass, OR Trading Seminar: The Greeks Defined (8/16/2014)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker with Daniels Trading, defines the Greeks beginning with theoretical value and implied volatility as it pertains to commodity options trading at the GBE trading seminar on August 16, 2014.
Grant’s Pass, OR Trading Seminar: Time vs. Intrinsic Value (8/16/2014)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker with Daniels Trading, discusses the difference between commodity option time value and intrinsic value at the GBE trading seminar on August 16, 2014.
Grant’s Pass, OR Trading Seminar: Using the Game of Monopoly to Explain the Greeks (8/16/2014)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker with Daniels Trading, uses the game of Monopoly to explain various option Greeks at the GBE trading seminar on August 16, 2014.
Las Vegas Trading Seminar: Account Statements (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading,discuss account statements at the GBE Las Vegas trading seminar on July 28, 2012.
Las Vegas Trading Seminar: Every Trader Has A Story (7/18/2013)- Watch this presentation given by Ken Packard and Don Debartolo
Las Vegas Trading Seminar: Joke (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, tells a joke to the audience at the GBE Las Vegas trading seminar on July 28, 2012.
Las Vegas Trading Seminar: Stop Losses & Targets (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, discusses stop losses and targets at the GBE Las Vegas trading seminar on July 28, 2012.
Paper Trading (10/24/2013)- This video will create a foundation for paper trading commodity contracts.
Placing Futures Orders (7/12/2013)- This video will detail the manner in which to execute a futures trade through your commodities broker.
Placing Options Orders (7/12/2013)- This video will detail the manner in which to execute a commodity option trade through your commodities broker.
Savvy Options Trading: Contract Logistics (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, discusses the logistics of an option contract as part of his Savvy Options Trading video series.
Savvy Options Trading: Writing Options (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, discusses writing options as part of his Savvy Options Trading video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Double Bottom Reversal Formation (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, explains a Double Bottom Reversal Formation as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Futures Spread Breakdown (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, breaks down a Futures Spread as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Inverted Head and Shoulder Formation (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, explains the Inverted Head and Shoulder Formation as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Momentum Entry Technique (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, explains the Momentum Entry Technique as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Narrow vs. Deferred (6/5/2014)- Don DeBartolo explains the Nearby vs. Deferred Spread trading and it's value. Learn about Contango, backwardation and Spread Trading strategies to use in the market.
Strategy Spotlight – Pennant Formation (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, explains the Pennant Formation as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Trend Line Formation (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, explains a Trend Line Formation as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Wave Projection (10/24/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, explains the Wave Projection as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series
Strategy Spotlight – Why Futures Spreads? (10/28/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, breaks down the benefits of using futures spread trading as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Strategy Spotlight – Widening vs. Narrowing (11/1/2013)- Don DeBartolo, a senior broker at Daniels Trading, breaks down the mechanics of Widening vs. Narrowing in futures spreads as part of his Strategy Spotlight video series.
Trade Spotlight Webinar (03-28-2012) (10/24/2013)- This video is an archive of the Trade Spotlight presentation from Wednesday, March 28, 2012. This presentation breaks down past, current and future trade recommendations of the Trade Spotlight advisory service.Blog Posts by Don
Beyond the “Spotlight” Series – This weekly feature examines chart formations, along with technical indicators, of two to three commodity markets. Breakouts of these formations may lead to trading recommendations published by the Trade Spotlight advisory service.
Market Spotlight Series – Market Spotlight explores a particular market in which a trade is recommended in the Trade Spotlight advisory service. You will learn the contract history, specifications and additional information pertinent to that market.
Beyond the Spotlight: E-mini S&P, Euro, 10 Year Notes (2/25/2019)- Beyond the Spotlight for the week of February 11, 2019 covers the Swiss Franc and Cotton markets. Watch now to look ahead with us, while potentially creating additional trading opportunities for yourself.
Beyond the Spotlight: Heating Oil, Wheat, & Cotton – February 4, 2019 (2/4/2019)- Beyond the Spotlight for the week of February 04, 2019 covers the Heating Oil, Chicago Wheat, and Cotton markets. Watch now to look ahead with us, while potentially creating additional trading opportunities for yourself.
Beyond the Spotlight: Natural Gas, Beans, & Cattle (1/28/2019)- Beyond the Spotlight for the week of January 28, 2019 covers the Natural Gas, Soybeans, and Feeder Cattle markets. Watch now to look ahead with us, while potentially creating additional trading opportunities for yourself.
Trade Spotlight: Options – Soybeans – January 18, 2018 (1/19/2018)- Soybean Bull Call Spread There is a trade opportunity based on potential M.E.T. breakout in the Soybean futures market. The Stochastic indicator is showing strong Momentum to the upside. The Trend Seeker is currently down, though with a weak ranking. The MACD indicator has shifted bullish already. A break of the 1/05/18 session high (987’6)… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Futures – Soybeans – January 18, 2018 (1/19/2018)- There is a trade opportunity based on potential M.E.T. breakout in the Soybean futures market. The Stochastic indicator is showing strong Momentum to the upside. The Trend Seeker is currently down, though with a weak ranking. The MACD indicator has shifted bullish already. Buy: May 2018 Soybean futures contract on 988’0 using a stop order,… Read more.
Market Spotlight – Bitcoin (1/9/2018)- A cryptocurrency is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange using cryptography to secure transactions, control creation, and verify transactions. The first such cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was introduced in 2009. In 2017, the exchanges launched a Bitcoin futures contract. The CBOE contract launched on Sunday, December 10, while the CME contract launched on Monday, December 18.
Commodities Go Up, Commodities (May) Come Down (10/2/2017)- After a market becomes parabolic on news or events, unfounded or not, it may not necessarily retrace to prior price levels. Or at least retrace even in the expected timeframe. There may be actual underlying fundamental or technical reasons for such a move that comes to light in the after math. However, if you can identify low cost and low risk opportunities you may be able to take advantage of a potential retracement. Look no further than the recent hurricane season.
Trade Spotlight: Options (Sugar) (8/15/2017)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight: Options, published on Monday, August 14, 2017. Low Ball Technique There is a trade opportunity based on a 1-2-3 Bottom Formation in the Sugar market. Today’s session low of 13.11 failed to surpass Friday’s low setting up the number three point of the… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Soybeans) (7/26/2017)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight: Futures, published on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. There is a trade opportunity based on potential breakout in the Soybean futures market. There was a 1-2-3 Top Formation in place until today’s volatile market surpassed the number two point. However, the breakout to the… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Weekly Summary) (7/14/2017)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight: Futures, published on Friday, July 14, 2017. Open Positions Short the August 2017 Lean Hogs futures contract from 81.325 (7/14/17). Market settled at 79.900. Marked-to-market profit of $570. Long the September 2017 Ten Year Note futures contract from 125’08 (7/12/17). Market settled at… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Orange Juice) (7/5/2017)- The Trade Spotlight service provides trading education while identifying commodity trading opportunities from chart formation breakouts with confirmation from key technical indicators. There is a trade opportunity based on potential breakout in the Orange Juice futures market.
Trade Spotlight: Spreads (Lean Hogs) (6/22/2017)- The Trade Spotlight service provides trading education while identifying commodity trading opportunities from chart formation breakouts with confirmation from key technical indicators. Senior Broker Don DeBartolo identifies a futures spread trade opportunity in the Lean Hogs market.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Dollar Index) (6/22/2017)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight: Futures, published on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. There is a trade opportunity as the Dollar Index futures contract found resistance, failing to break through the 97.500 price level. The MACD indicator is flat and the Trend Seeker is down, though with a neutral… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Cocoa) (11/21/2016)- There is a trade opportunity based on a potential M.E.T. breakout in the Cocoa futures.
A Flight To Gold, A Flight from Risk Asset (11/18/2016)- The precious metal Gold is a "flight from risk" asset. It is valuable, it is tangible, and it is universally accepted. Capital flows into the physical product, as well as the futures contract, in times of uncertainty.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Soybean Meal) (10/20/2016)- There is a trade opportunity based on a Trend Line breakout today in the Soybean Meal futures market.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Sugar) (10/13/2016)- There is a potential trade opportunity based on a Trend Line Formation in the Sugar futures market.
Trade Spotlight: Spreads (Unleaded Gasoline) (10/5/2016)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight: Spreads, published on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. There is a bear futures spread trade opportunity in the Unleaded Gasoline market on a Trend Line breakout today. Establishing a bearish position where a front month contract is sold and a deferred month contract is… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Lean Hogs) (9/1/2016)- There is a trade opportunity based on a potential M.E.T breakout in the Lean Hogs futures market.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Live Cattle) (8/17/2016)- There is a trade opportunity based on a M.E.T breakout in the Live Cattle futures market.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Chicago Wheat) (8/17/2016)- There is a trade opportunity based on a potential Trend Line breakout in the Chicago Wheat futures market.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Rough Rice) (7/1/2016)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight:Futures, published on Friday, July 01, 2016. Short the September 2016 Rough Rice contract from 1093.5 (6/24/16). Market settled at 1064.5. Marked-to-market profit of $580. Stop loss: Move buy stop to 1108.0, above recent contract highs, GTC. (Remaining Risk: $290) Target: Maintain buy limit… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Options (Soybean Meal) (6/22/2016)- There is a trade opportunity based on a potential Momentum Entry Technique breakout in the Soybean Meal market.
Trade Spotlight: Spreads (Natural Gas) (6/17/2016)- There is a bear futures spread trade opportunity in the Natural Gas market on a potential M.E.T. breakout.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Feeder Cattle) (6/2/2016)- There is a trade opportunity based on a potential M.E.T. breakout in the Feeder Cattle market.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Cocoa) (5/23/2016)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight:Futures, published on Monday, May 23, 2016. There is a trade opportunity based on a potential M.E.T. breakout in the Cocoa market. The MACD and Stochastic indicators have hooked bullish. This trade is in line with the seasonal tendencies of this commodity. Buy the… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Futures (Lean Hogs) (5/19/2016)- This is a sample entry from Don DeBartolo’s email newsletter, Trade Spotlight:Futures, published on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. There is a trade opportunity based on a Trend Line breakout today in the Lean Hogs market. Trend Seeker is Up, but with a Weak ranking. However, the MACD and Stochastic indicators have hooked bearish already. Anticipating… Read more.
Trade Spotlight: Spreads (Soybeans) (5/17/2016)- There is a bear futures spread trade opportunity in the Soybean market on a Flat Bottom Triangle breakout today.
Trade Spotlight: Spreads (Crude Oil) (5/11/2016)- There is a bear futures spread trade opportunity in the Crude Oil market on a trend line breakout today.
Trading Option Spreads, While Fading Time Decay (12/19/2013)- Commodity option contracts are decaying assets. Unlike futures contracts from which they are a derivative, option contract values are lost each day to time decay. Therefore, it is prudent to liquidate long option positions even if the target price is not yet realized before time value diminishes the premium.
Don’t Be the Turkey On Thanksgiving (11/27/2013)- The holiday season is upon us. Thursday, November 28, is Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah. For some, this is a stress-less time of family, food, and fun. Though, being from a rather large Italian family there is no such thing as a stress-less holiday. For traders, there is perhaps an added stress to the season due to the commodity markets now being open on holidays.
Stopped Out Of A Position? Bad Luck, Next Job. (8/15/2013)- On the rugby field, if a teammate makes an error, such as “losing the ball forward,” we tell him immediately after “bad luck, next job.” It reminds him to clear his mind of the error and to ready himself for the next potential play. By increasing his awareness, he may be in a better position and better focused to make that next play.
To Exercise, Or Not To Exercise (Options), That Is The Question (2/22/2013)- A commodity option contract is a decaying asset that will expire. As an option contract draws near its expiration date, set by the exchanges, both the time value and intrinsic value diminish. Time value is premium in relation to days until expiration. Intrinsic value is the premium in relation to the strike price’s distance from underlying futures contract price.
Do You Understand Option Expiration, Exercising, and Assignment? Now You Will. (1/31/2013)- It is essential to understand option expiration, exercising, and assignment as a commodity option trader. Know these principles, whether purchasing outright calls or puts, selling or “writing” option contracts, or using complex option spread strategies. Not only will you be better equipped for such events, but also having this acumen could potentially improve your trading performance.
Savvy Option Trading for Well-Capitalized Investors (II) (9/27/2012)- If you are a “writer” of commodity options, you inherently have exposed and unlimited risk. However, it’s this risk potential that provides the capacity to reap rewards. Therefore, a savvy commodity option writer understands that managing risk is more important than reaping rewards. In a previous article, I detailed a strategy to execute a strangle with protection against those inherent risks. In this article, I will discuss a strategy to help protect a current position. These strategies can be tailored to reach your short term objectives and long term goals.
Savvy Option Trading for Well-Capitalized Investors (I) (8/24/2012)- If you are a “writer” of commodity options, you inherently have exposed and unlimited risk. However, it’s this risk potential that provides the capacity to reap rewards. Therefore, a savvy commodity option writer understands that managing risk is more important than reaping rewards.
Wheat’s the Difference? (4/20/2012)- When talking about Wheat futures, it is important to understand that there are three distinct contracts. Not only are the three contracts based on different Wheat products, but each trade at three different exchanges. It’s important to be aware of the contract differences as the price patterns may also differ.
Size Does Matter When Trading Mini Agricultural Contracts (3/28/2012)- Since 2007, when the Chicago Board of Trade introduced mini-sized agricultural contracts, the products have become more attractive to traders since inception, as witnessed by the increase in trading volume. While the mini-corn, mini-wheat, and mini-soybean futures contracts mirror their respective standard contract brethren, there are some nuances to consider while trading: Margin Requirements, Price Differential, Trading Volume and Open Interest and Trading Hours.
Deep Out-Of-The-Money Options: A Calculated Risk (11/23/2011)- The trading strategy of purchasing a deep out-of-the-money call or put option has been referenced as purchasing a "lottery ticket". Both present an opportunity for profits but with a low rate of success. Depending on how far out-of-the-money the strike price and time remaining until expiration, it would take a considerable move in the underlying futures market to profit.
Want to be an All-Star Technical Trader? Consider Fundamental Analysis (6/3/2011)- A five-tool baseball player is said to be a potential All-Star when he has a well-rounded offensive and defensive skill set. The ability to hit for power and average, run, throw, and field gives him the opportunity to excel in every facet of the game.
Webinars by Don
Forex Trading For Futures Traders (8/20/2015)- Join us for a webinar with Senior Broker Don DeBartolo as he discusses trading Forex, the global currency market.
Trade Spotlight (3/21/2012)- Discover how a Trade Spotlight subscriber and Senior Broker finds trade setups, manages risk, and targets potential profits in futures and commodity options.
Trade Spotlight (10/1/2010)- Discover how a Trade Spotlight subscriber and Senior Broker finds trade setups, manages risk, and targets potential profits in the futures markets.
Trade Spotlight (5/18/2010)- Discover how a Trade Spotlight subscriber and Senior Broker finds trade setups, manages risk, and targets potential profits in the futures markets.
“Why I Chose DT” Responses from Don’s Clients
THESE TESTIMONIALS ARE FROM SELECT MEMBERS. THEIR EXPERIENCES MAY NOT BE TYPICAL OF WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO ACHIEVE, AS RESULTS MAY VARY. CLAIMS CONTAINED WITHIN TESTIMONIALS HAVE NOT BEEN VERIFIED. CUSTOMERS WERE NOT PAID OR COMPENSATED IN ANY WAY FOR THEIR STATEMENTS.
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