Iraq Point

Oil Futures? If the oil future price today is $120 a barrel is that price reflected in the pump today or a couple months from now? I always thought that the oil future price was the price paid for the oil straight out of the ground, but it still had to be transported and refined which meant you wouldn't be paying for that price for a few months. Or is the oil future price the price you pay now? Please explain.

What happens if I hold a crude oil futures contract past expiration? Let's say I am trading crude oil futures, and I accidentally held a contract past expiration. What would happen? I can't actually take delivery of 1,000 barrels of oil! Conversely, what would happen if I held a sort contract passed expiration? I don't have 1,000 barrels of oil to deliver! Would these situation be settled in cash? What exactly would happen? Thanks!

are prices of oil futures a reasonable way to have an idea of future oil price movement? I want to have an informed guess for future oil price movements for an assignment...is it a good benchmark to look at the oil futures price being traded in the market to have an estimate.

How do speculators make money with oil futures? I guess that speculators make a profit if future price is higher than current spot price. But when current spot price moves instantaneously with futures price, what is the profit margin for speculators wth oil futures?

How do crude-oil futures prices in commodity markets translate into big oil-company costs? Speculation on the commodity exchanges is driven by feelings of concern about political events and other external factors. The cost of crude oil to refineries is determined by actual supply and demand conditions in an entirely different market. Often long-term contracts between the few major oil companies and foreign governments set the cost of crude. Why then is every speculator-driven uptick in oil-commodity-futures prices reflected in higher gasoline prices at the pump? I don't understand the link between the two markets. Can anyone explain this to me?

How do I invest in oil futures? Just looked up some q&a's about oil investment. I want to invest in oil futures and not in the oil companies themselves. How do I go about doing this?

Are there still people naive enough to buy into heating oil futures every fall? ...and crude oil futures every summer? One only needs the slightest bit of investigation to understand that the predicted rise in heating oil is already factored into the futures price every winter, meaning you only win IF the price is abnormally higher than previous winters. This is merely a sales tactic to get the naive excited and to buy. Are there any out there still falling (of have fallen) for these tactics?

How can I (a Unites States citizen) purchase olive oil futures contracts? Or bet on olive oil in general? I believe that olive oil distributors and producers will do well in the future. I am a US citizen, and I would like to capitalize on this belief. The most direct possibility is to buy olive oil futures, but they appear to only be traded in Spain, and I don't know how to do it as a US citizen. Alternatively, perhaps there are individual stocks (US or foreign) that I could purchase. These should be of companies that would profit if the demand for olive oil increases.

Where can I get live or close to live updates of crude oil futures? Where can I get live or close to live updates of crude oil futures? I check marketwatch.com but its delayed 15 minutes. Ideally there's something out there that is only like 1-10 minutes delayed. Live updates would obviously be best. Any services or brokerages that offer this?

what stock agencies invest in oil futures? which companies out there invest in oil futures ? I am looking to invest in the oil prices futures", but cant find a reputable agency that does .. thanks

HOW DO I BUY OIL OR GAS FUTURES? I have some spare cash and a friend suggested I buy oil futures to offset the 4 dollar a gallon gasoline we will be paying this summer....how do I go about getting some oil...thanks

Should we thank Bush for lower oil futures? Why do you suppose oil futures have dropped this week? Could it be lifting the presidential ban on offshore drilling, or perhaps are Democrats riding their bikes more?

Why are oil futures traded on the stock market? Why can't OPEC and the rest of the world that pumps out crude just set a price for a barrel of oil?

How does a layman like myself purchase "oil futures?" In other words, how does one bet on the price of oil? If I thought that the price of oil would be $75 by February 1, what would be the best way to make money on that knowledge? How does an individual investor "speculate" on oil?

Can you buy and sell oil futures or index similar to forex? I trade in the forex market. What I like about is I can buy and sell any currency; therefore I can make money in a bull or bear market. I would like to know if it is possible for me to buy and sell crude oil etc in a similar way?

How can I go about purchasing oil futures? I don't think we are going to see the price of oil fall--in fact, I am speculating it may double by the end of this summer. ---(sigh)...I don't want to be a part of problem folks, but there is just somethings you cannot control in life. this is one of them.....

Can the speculators in crude oil futures can be certain the future is not in the crude oil business? The American voters are certain they want nothing more to do with foreign energy dependence and are ready to do whatever it takes to put an end to. Voters want no more to do with the Mideast debacle! Time to get our damn priorities straight. Time for the U.S. Congress to get the priorities straight and put this into action right now!

What is the best price tracker for Crude Oil futures? Is there a ticker that I can use? I have a Schwab and Etrade account to use if that helps.

What are our elected officials doing about about regulating speculative oil futures trading on the stock mkt.? While they pontificate, and the economy teeters on the precipice of total collapse, due in large part to rising oil prices ($140 a barrel), our congressmen were preparing to depart for their summer break. By the time they return in August, this nation may very well be beyond the point of recovery — businesses bankrupt, jobs lost, and the number of Americans in food lines increased by tenfold, as the price at the pump climbs steadily higher.

Is oil futures a safe investment, in this economy? I am being told that buying a few dollars of futures can make one some extra bucks, is this so?

Crude oil futures are up 6% today. So why is the ETF (NYSE:OIL) for Crude Oil down 4%? Isn't this ETF (NYSE:OIL) supposed to track the futures price of crude oil? So why is moving opposite of the futures price? Your help is appreciated!

Where can I trade oil futures online? Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated, but a list of three sites so that I could see the best options to choose from would be great. Thanks!

Where to check if Oil Futures are CURRENTLY in contango or in backwardation? I've found lots of articles on the topic but all have outdated information... Where can I find recent data? Thanks

Why are prices for oil futures with a maturity farer away lower than nearer futures? Futures contracts for commodities usually have higher prices in the future because of carrying charges and interests. But in case of oil futures, this is not the case. Futures which mature next year are cheaper than the one´s from November 07. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/fc?s=CLX07.NYM On top of that, everyone talks about peak oil and rising oil prices in the future. So, what is the reason for an oil price of 75$ / barrel in 2010?

Why won't elected officials remove the 'Enron Loophole' that allowed speculation by investors on oil futures? Shouldn't this be something that every elected official can agree with, with the exception of hedge fund managers and ultra-rich persons? Some estimates say this will reduce the value of oil by 25-50%, but a more realistic estimate of the actual value of oil and gas, and increasing out national security?

How do you purchase oil futures through an online brokerage?

What do you think will be the trigger for oil futures to crash? Will it take a crash in the stock market? or a reversal in the down trend in the US Dollar? or a run on some banks due to the mortgage meltdown?

Is there anyone left out there with real hopes for oil futures? Between being easily replaced (like with hydrogen in Japan or alcohol for combustion engines) AND forcibly phased out by governments worried about global climate change AND supporting less than savory regimes worldwide it would seem to me that the lobbiest underpinnings that are holding the price of oil artificially high are ready to snap. Even BP announced yesterday it is only spending 20 billion a year on oil development for the next ten years. It seems like a lot but it is one fifth of one quarters profits. If they really saw oil as a good investment why aren't they investing everything in it? Instead they are buying back their stock. Can anyone see oil as being anything but worthless 25 years from now?

Why doesn't the governments of the US and Europe just band the trading and speculating of oil futures? What is it going to take? How greedy of pigs are we? Are we gonna eat our own one day. Pure greed has destroyed this country. If this government is truly of and for the people stop the raping of America and the world. STOP futures trading NOW!!!

How much brokerage on crude oil futures? In terms of dollars, how much is the standard brokerage charged for trading 1 future lot of Light Crude Oil (consider its price to be $120)

Where can I buy oil futures and FX forward online? These are financial instruments. Which site would you recommend? Something serious rather than cheap, and something you've tried rather than looked up in google 5 minutes ago. Thanks

When are the oil futures going to come back down? What price and when?

Who is buying oil futures now that former speculators are in financial trouble?

Is it possible that the Arab countries are buying up oil futures to keep the price up and not have to pump? more oil? We hear on the news that it is the speculators that are driving up the price of oil and not of use and production

How do I buy oil futures? I have a broker, is there a certain symbol it trades under? or how would i go about trying to buy or sell them

I'm a young trader who just lost his shirt in oil futures. i thought would got down but instead it shot up! I have a little money still left in the bank. How should I invest in oil futures? Oil seems really high right now but then again, the dollar is weak and demand is up. what do you think oil will do in the next 2 months?

I am interested in buying oil futures.Can anyone tell me the symbol for light crude which closed today around? 34-35 dollars a barrel.

How Will Pelosi Make Speculators from Syria, Dubai, Kuwaitt Quit Buying Oil Futures? Isn't it odd how Dems forget how rich the rest of the world is?

What about oil futures will prices continue upward?

which is better to own: oil stocks or oil futures? Also is it wise to invest in companies that subcontract the larger oil companies such as engeneering and drilling companies in the energy sector?

How can I trade Oil/gas futures? What brokerage firms will allow me to trade oil and gas? Are there minimum account values or other requirements? Thanks for your responses!

Republicans, are you in favor of regulations upon oil futures? or will you complain when oil prices and, of course, gas prices go up It's already beginning and, unfortunately, in America gas prices will increase as the economy recovers. Personally, I believe high gas prices had a large part in taking down the economy. Gas prices affect the price of everything else and as prices went up many people who were overextended or living on a tight budget were pushed over the edge.

How come more people do not invest in oil futures?

why do we need a oil futures market? if it is Opec who controls the price of oil, depending how far they open or close the oil spigot?

Why do pump prices rise over night based on oil FUTURES?? I personally don't get it. It looks to me as if they are fixing the prices based on scare tactics in the US. I understand that they would go up 1 or 2 MONTHS from the time announced, but NOT over night. I also think it is BS how they don't come down when the price per barrel goes down. Isn't this illegal? That is a good point beesting.

How many people in congress have funds invested in oil futures, and is it legal if they do?

Trading Oil Futures - How Profitable is the Crude Oil Trading Business?

Why dosn't the U.S government but the oil as futures like the others are doing and keep the prices low? If the President George Bush wanted too, the us Government could pre buy oil by the 10s of millions of barrels and the price in the US would be 75 cents a gallon today. what do you think??

Is there a formula that shows the relationship between oil futures prices and gasoline prices?

Futures Backwardation - How Does Backwardation Affect The Oil Futures Market & Prices?

On what exchange can you purchase Conola Oil Futures ? On what exchange can you purchase Conola Oil Futures ? as many as possible would be appreciated

Profiting from higer oil prices with futures trading? I am certain that oil prices are going higher mid to long term. 1-Can someone explain to me how far out I can get a contract? 2-Can I buy a futures contract that expires several years from now? 3-If so can I sell it any time I want, or does it have to be on that date exactly? 4-What is the leveraged amount? When are margin calls made? 5-Lastly how does an amateur investor trade futures (where do I start) Yes, I am certain that prices are going up dramatically very soon. This is based on peak oil, my research into geology and economics. Thanks a million (pun intended)

What stock can I buy that tracks oil futures?

What is the ticker symbol for crude oil and gasoline futures? I punched in CL1 for Bloomberg and CBOE but nothing. Where can you get this info? Thank You

Easy Crude Oil Futures Question? I know that oil futures are trading at roughly 129 dollars a barrel today. If i wanted to look up that on say yahoo finance or bloomberg and import data into excel on the oil futures price, now and historical prices, what would i type in for a ticker symbol to be able to view stats on oil futures prices? This for a regression i will run on excel to compare oil prices with many other possibly dependent variables.

what does Brent Crude oil futures follow? It's killing me, I can't find it.

When are oil futures traded? I can't quite figure out when oil futures are traded on the nymex. It seems like the market is open on Sunday, but is that considered an after hours market just like the us stock market has after the closing bell? Or is it a real trading day just like any other?

what is the minimum to trade oil futures? how much do people need to open an account to trade oil futures? Does this work on a tick by tick base like Es or is this like options?

how do you find a chart of fuel oil futures?

If crude oil is a futures commodity, why is the price of gasoline today based on the price of oil today? The gas delivered to the pump today was pulled from the ground weeks ago.

Why does Congress blame oil companies for high gas prices when speculators in oil futures are the culprits?

Is it smart to short oil futures? Ok, so for now the world market on oil is skyrocketing, right? Probably in part due to the fact (to name a few things) that the average car consumes more gas than it did 20 years ago (24mpg now instead of 26mpg in 1987), the fact that the booming economy promoted high spending on big SUV's and other gas guzzlers in the past years, the fact that as our cites get larger commuting mileage and time increases, and a result of the US having more toys consuming excess energy than we know what to do with (to name a few things). Well what is going to happen when all the automakers start coming out with 70-100 mpg cars and other industries begin to promote higher energy efficiency and/or alternative energy sources (and build new nuclear reactors)? Isn't that going to dwindle the demand for oil by more than half? Shouldn't that be reflected by a drop in oil prices? If so, wouldnt selling the oil companies short when we see the 200 day moving average price peak be a smart bet, or perhaps investing in companies that profit directly from oil prices dropping (like power and/or natural gas)? We should try and think about the effects these high mpg cars and other energy saving applications will have on industry and invest in what makes sense. Who spends the most on fuel? When the price eventually drops they will be making all that much more profit since we know they would never give any price breaks. There has got to be money to be made here. Perhaps looking at what made money in the early 80's after fuel hit its last peak cycle and dropped in price. Any ideas on where the most money would be made from oil dropping and energy usage becoming more efficient.

Can an individual purchase oil futures contracts in a personal account (ie: Schwab account)?

What is the minimum amount of money needed to purchase oil on the futures market?