Key Tab

This section displays the key details and data from the contract displayed in the Chart Window. (Terms are explained in depth in the Introduction to Futures chapter.)

Name: Name of the commodity.

Symbol/Base Symbol: Gecko Software's symbol for the commodity.

Type: The type is a category for commodities.

Contract Size: Number of units that one contract represents.

Contract Units: The unit of measurement.

Tic Units: The unit of measure for quotes. This unit should be the same as the unit that the Exchange uses.

Minimum Move: The smallest increment the quote of a contract will fluctuate (a tic).

Exchange: The exchange is where the commodity's trades are processed.

Expiration/First Notice Date: Displays the important dates of the contract. Includes a link to the exchange about it.

Initial Margin: The required amount per contract you must have in your account to carry the open position from the current trading session (in which you opened the position) into the next trading session.

Maintenance Margin: The required amount per contract you must have in your account to maintain your open position in this contract from trading session to trading session. (The maintenance margin amount is typically calculated as 75% of the initial margin amount)

Day Margin: The required amount per contract you must have in your account to enter and exit a position within the same trading session, without having a position remain open over the market close. (The day margin amount is typically calculated as 25-50% of the initial margin amount depending on current market volatility)

Open and Close Times: Lists the Open and Close times for this contract in your time zone as listed in the File menu at Manage Time Zone. 

Full Point movement: Below the table, the software shows how to calculate a full point movement. This value represents what a move in the one's place is worth.