SYMBOL PRICE %CHANGE
------------- --------- -------
*S&P FUT 4,419.75 +2.36
*NAS FUT 14,430.25 +3.17
*S&P MID MINI 2,564.8 +1.68
*S&P 600 MINI 1,253.2 UNCH
What is the S&P 500 futures index?
S&P 500 futures are a type of derivative contract that provides a buyer with an investment priced based on the expectation of the S&P 500 Index's future value. S&P 500 futures are closely followed by all types of investors and the financial media as an indicator of market movements.
Dow Jones futures contracts enable just about anyone to speculate on whether the broader stock market will rise or fall. Dow futures markets make it much simpler to short-sell the broader stock market than individual stocks.
Ticker Symbols Futures tickers differ slightly from stocks. Each futures market has a specific ticker symbol that is followed by symbols for the contract month and the year. For example, crude oil futures have a ticker symbol: CL.
An indicator that tracks the markets 24 hours a day is needed. This is where the futures markets come in. The index futures are a derivative of the actual indexes. Futures look into the future to "lock in" a future price or try to predict where something will be in the future; hence the name.
CME E-mini Dow $5 Futures and Options, ticker symbol YM, represent one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to gain market exposure to the Dow Jones Industrial Average.