August 27, 2019

Contango Vs. Backwardation…What Is the Difference?

Contango and backwardation are terms used to define the structure of the a time structure curve.  For example, the yield curve, the VIX curve or a commodity such as Gold or even Corn.  When a market is in contango, the forward price of a futures contract is higher than the spot price. Conversely, when a market is in backwardation, the forward price of the futures contract is lower than the spot price.

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about the author:

Mike Shorr

Since 1994, Michael has been an on-the-floor market maker, Vice-President of Interest Rate Derivatives for Knight Financial Products and Director of Education and Options Instructor at Trading Advantage. He makes the oftentimes complex world of options and trading accessible to the novice and advanced trader alike. Michael has a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Finance from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He presently is Director, Trader Education at ProsperTradingAcademy.

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December 12, 2025

Premarket Pulse Pattern: My #1 Prop Trading Strategy

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March 6, 2025

Options Trading Mistakes That Can Blow Up Your Account (And How to Avoid Them)

Options trading offers huge potential rewards—but it also comes with serious risks that can be mitigated. I’ve seen traders time and time again jump in without fully understanding the mechanics, leading to costly mistakes that wipe out their accounts overnight. President Trump’s new tariff policies are shaking up global markets, adding another layer of uncertainty […]

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IBM Stock: Scott’s Breaks Down Trade Signal Showing 84%* Result

IBM stock was among the latest notable moves that turned heads this earnings season. The stock jumped over eight percent, after beating earnings expectations, along with the company’s encouraging growth in software and its AI book of business. Scott Bauer already had IBM stock on his radar going into their quarterly report. He released a […]

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