In the ever-evolving world of trading and investing, having access to real-time, reliable data is important for making informed decisions. Among the many tools available to traders, Finviz Futures stands out as a remarkable and accessible platform for monitoring the futures market.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned trader, understanding how to use Finviz Futures can significantly enhance your market analysis and strategy.
This article offers a comprehensive deep dive into Finviz Futures, exploring its features, benefits, and practical applications.
What is Finviz?
Finviz, short for Financial Visualisations, is an online platform that provides traders and investors with a broad array of market data, visualisation tools, screeners, charts, and news. Founded in 2007, Finviz has grown into one of the most widely used tools among retail and institutional traders.
Its easy-to-navigate interface, coupled with powerful analytical tools, makes it ideal for tracking stocks, ETFS, forex, and futures markets.
Key Offerings of Finviz
- Stock screener
- Heat maps
- News aggregation
- Charts (technical and fundamental)
- Insider trading data
- Futures, forex, and crypto tracking
Among these, Finviz Futures is particularly valuable for traders who need to stay ahead of trends in commodities, indices, and other futures contracts.
Understanding Finviz Futures
Before diving into the specifics of Finviz Futures, it’s important to grasp the basics of futures trading.
Futures are standardised contracts that obligate the buyer to purchase, or the seller to sell, a particular asset at a predetermined future date and price. These contracts are commonly used in commodities trading but also cover indices, interest rates, and currencies.
Common Futures Instruments:
- Commodities: Crude oil, gold, natural gas, soybeans, corn
- Indices: S&P 500 (ES), Nasdaq-100 (NQ), Dow Jones (YM)
- Currencies: Euro, Yen, British Pound, U.S. Dollar Index
- Interest Rates: U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes
Futures are used for speculation, hedging, and arbitrage. They are high-risk instruments, typically traded with leverage.
Introduction to Finviz Futures
Finviz Futures is a segment of the Finviz platform that specifically tracks the futures market.
The page is available for free and provides a snapshot of real-time data on various futures contracts, organised by asset class.
Where to Find It:
Navigate to https://finviz.com/futures.ashx to access the Finviz Futures page.
Asset Classes Displayed:
- Indices
- Metals
- Energies
- Currencies
- Agricultural Commodities
- Soft Commodities
- Meats
- Bonds
Each category is displayed in a neat grid with symbols, current prices, and percentage changes. This bird’s-eye view is perfect for a quick market sentiment check.
Features of Finviz Futures
Finviz Futures offers a variety of features designed to help traders monitor and analyse the futures market effectively:
1. Real-Time Quotes
While delayed by 10-15 minutes on the free version, the quotes on Finviz are sufficient for most retail traders. With a Finviz Elite subscription, users can access near real-time data.
2. Colour-Coded Performance
Finviz uses red and green indicators to show which assets are down or up, respectively. This visual representation helps users spot trends at a glance.
3. Charts
Clicking on any asset opens a detailed technical chart. Finviz offers different chart types:
- Candlestick
- Line
- Technical overlays (moving averages, Bollinger bands, RSI, MACD)
These charts are essential for technical analysis.
4. News Aggregation
Finviz aggregates news from various financial outlets. When you click on an asset, related news and analysis articles appear, giving you insight into what’s driving price movements.
5. Historical Data
Historical data, while limited in the free version, is available in full for Elite users. This feature is valuable for back-testing and studying long-term trends.
6. Economic Calendar Integration
Finviz Futures also links to relevant economic indicators and reports that might affect futures prices (e.g., oil inventory reports, crop forecasts, and CPI data).
How to Use Finviz Futures
Finviz Futures can be used in several ways depending on your trading or investing goals. Below are some practical use cases.
1. Market Sentiment Analysis
By quickly reviewing all asset classes, traders can assess broad market sentiment:
- Rising indices = bullish sentiment
- Falling commodities like gold = risk-on environment
- Strength in bonds = flight to safety
2. Sector Rotation
Traders can use Finviz to identify which sectors are gaining momentum. For example, if energies and metals are rising while tech-focused indices are falling, this may suggest a rotation into hard assets.
3. Hedging and Risk Management
Hedgers can use the Finviz Futures page to monitor assets they’re exposed to. A wheat farmer, for instance, could track wheat futures to time their hedge.
4. Correlation Analysis
Finviz helps identify asset correlations. For instance:
- Crude oil and CAD often move together.
- Gold and the USD tend to move inversely.
Understanding these relationships can enhance portfolio construction and risk management.
5. Intraday Trading Strategy
Day traders can use the platform to scan for volatile assets. If, for example, natural gas is up 3% at market open, it may present a trade opportunity.
Benefits of Using Finviz Futures
- User-Friendly Interface: No complex tools or excessive clutter.
- Free Access: Most of the features are available without a subscription.
- Holistic View: All major futures markets are represented.
- Integration: Seamless integration with Finviz’s other tools (screener, heatmaps).
- Visual Analysis: The colour-coded design makes it easy to read.
Finviz Elite: Is It Worth It?
For those who require real-time data, Finviz offers a premium version known as Finviz Elite, which includes:
- Real-time quotes
- Advanced charts with intraday timeframes
- Custom screeners
- Email alerts
- Backtesting features
While the free version is suitable for most traders, active day traders and professionals may benefit from the Elite package.
Limitations of Finviz Futures
Despite its advantages, Finviz Futures does have some limitations:
- Delayed Data: Quotes are delayed unless you upgrade.
- Limited customisation: Charting features are not as advanced as those on TradingView or ThinkorSwim.
- No Direct Trading: It’s an analysis tool, not a trading platform.
- No Mobile App: While mobile-optimised, Finviz lacks a dedicated app.
Comparing Finviz Futures to Other Platforms
| Feature | Finviz Futures | TradingView | MarketWatch Futures | CNBC Futures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time Quotes | No (Free), Yes (Elite) | Yes | Delayed | Delayed |
| Advanced Charts | Basic | Advanced | Basic | Basic |
| Mobile App | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| News Integration | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| User Interface | Simple | Medium | Medium | Complex |
| Cost | Free/Elite ($39.50/month) | Free/Premium | Free | Free |
Finviz is ideal for a quick overview and simple analysis, while TradingView caters to advanced chartists and analysts.
Tips for Using Finviz Futures Effectively
- Bookmark the Page: Make it part of your daily morning routine.
- Use with a Journal: Note down observations for pattern recognition.
- Combine with Other Tools: Pair Finviz insights with TradingView or broker platforms for execution.
- Stay Updated on Economic Reports: Use the integrated calendar to time trades.
- Watch for Outliers: Sudden price changes often signal volatility opportunities.
Conclusion
Finviz Futures is a powerful and user-friendly tool for anyone interested in tracking the futures market. Whether you’re monitoring commodities, currencies, or index futures, the platform provides a comprehensive snapshot of current market conditions. With its visually appealing interface, real-time data (in Elite), and integrated charting and news features, Finviz stands out as an indispensable resource for traders and investors alike.
While it does have some limitations, especially when compared to platforms like TradingView or MetaTrader, its value lies in simplicity and accessibility. For those who need a quick yet insightful view of global market sentiment, Finviz Futures is hard to beat.
By incorporating Finviz Futures into your trading toolkit, you gain not only data but also a broader understanding of the interconnectedness of markets. In the end, knowledge is power, and Finviz helps you harness it.
