What Are Gold Futures?
Gold Futures (GC) are futures contracts based on the price of gold, one of the most traded precious metals in the world. These contracts allow traders, investors, and hedgers to gain exposure to gold prices, which are influenced by a range of factors including global economic conditions, inflation, geopolitical instability, and currency fluctuations. Gold Futures are widely used as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Contract Size
- Contract Size: 100 troy ounces of gold.
Trading Hours
The Gold Futures contract trades nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week, offering consistent access to the global precious metals market.
- Sunday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 4:00 PM with a 60-minute break each day beginning at 5:00 PM
- Time Zone: Central Time (CT).
Tick Value and Increment
- Tick Size: $0.10 per ounce.
- Tick Value: $10.00 per tick.
- Minimum Price Fluctuation: $0.10 per ounce.
This makes Gold Futures an excellent choice for traders seeking liquidity, leverage, and exposure to the precious metals market.
Trading Symbol
- Platform Symbol: GC
Margins
To trade Gold Futures, you’ll need to meet specific margin requirements. Check out Ironbeam’s Margins Page for the latest margin rates and details.
Why Trade Gold Futures?
- Liquidity: High liquidity ensures tight spreads and efficient execution.
- Hedging Opportunities: Widely used by investors and central banks to hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
- Global Influence: Gold prices are influenced by global events, including geopolitical instability, inflation expectations, and central bank policies.
- Diversification: Gold Futures provide exposure to the precious metals market, offering diversification away from traditional equity and bond markets.
- Price Discovery: Futures markets play a crucial role in determining the fair price of gold.
Start Trading GC with Ironbeam
Ironbeam provides a robust trading platform and API to help you access Gold Futures with ease. Trade confidently with free real-time Level 2 market data and personal broker support.
DISCLAIMER: There is a substantial risk of loss in trading commodity futures and options products. Losses in excess of your initial investment may occur. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Please contact your account representative with concerns or questions.