Learn to Day-Trade the Emini S&P Futures
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Contract Rollover – continued

Rollover is usually on the second Thursday of the month but will be on the first Thursday if the first day of the month falls on a Friday

Quick Facts about Rollover Day

The following applies to many (if not most) futures contracts especially those from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT).

  • Rollover is 8 days before expiration.
  • Expiration is the third Friday of each quarter month (March, June, September, December)
  • The contract letter associated with each month is: March=H June=M September=U December=Z
  • Rollover is on a Thursday.
  • Rollover is usually on the second Thursday of the month but will be on the first Thursday if the first day of the month falls on a Friday
  • Volume shifts to the new contract at market open (09:30 EST) on Rollover day
  • New day trading or swing trading positions opened on rollover day should use the new contract month irrespective of when you plan to close it.
  • New swing positions might be better opened using the new contract if opened within a few days of rollover day.
  • Market myths abound at rollover and expiration. Check the source and confirm the probabilities before believing anything