July 2008

Trading Strategies

The “Market Book” as a Trading Tool

    RJO Vantage has a tool called the “Market Book.” The Market Book provides live access to the resting bids and offers in the electronic market. The effectiveness of the Market Book becomes more and more apparent now that 90+ percent of total commodity volume is executed via electronic trading platforms. As a former pit trader in the S&P 500, I find myself used to looking at the depth of the market’s bids and offers to establish any strength or weakness biases the market may have at a given price level.     This morning’s action in August live cattle was an …