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Trade Metal Futures
What are Metal Futures?
Metal futures are standardized contracts for physical metals including gold, silver, and copper, with delivery at a specified future date and predetermined price.
These contracts provide exposure to metals markets without the need for physical storage or handling. Available in standard and micro sizes, they suit a range of strategies and account types. Traders use metal futures to manage price risk, express views on industrial demand, or hedge against inflation. Precious metals like gold and silver can diversify portfolios, while industrial metals like copper reflect global economic trends. With extended trading hours and strong liquidity, metal futures offer efficient access to global markets and remain a core part of commodity trading.
Precious Metals
Metals like gold, silver, and platinum are valued for their scarcity and are often used as safe-haven assets or inflation hedges, especially during times of economic uncertainty.
Base Metals
Widely used in global manufacturing and construction, industrial metals like copper, aluminum, and zinc serve as a core indicator of industrial demand and growth.
Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals containing iron, like steel, are vital to the global economy, serving as core materials in construction, transportation, and manufacturing.
Trade Metal Futures
at MetroTrade
Contracts Available
| Code | Product Name | Contract Size | Min. Tick Size | Trading Hours (EST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| /GC | Gold Futures | 100 troy ounces | $0.10 = $10.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /QO | E-mini Gold Futures | 50 troy ounces | $0.25 = $12.50 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /MGC | Micro Gold Futures | 10 troy ounces | $0.10 = $1.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /SI | Silver Futures | 5,000 troy ounces | $0.005 = $25.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /QI | E-mini Silver Futures | 2,500 troy ounces | $0.0125 = $31.25 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /SIL | Micro Silver Futures | 1,000 troy ounces | $0.005 = $5.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /HG | Copper Futures | 25,000 pounds | $0.0005 = $12.50 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /QC | E-mini Copper Futures | 12,500 pounds | $0.0020 = $25.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /MHG | Micro Copper Futures | 2,500 pounds | $0.0025 = $6.25 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /PL | Platinum Futures | 50 troy ounces | $0.10 = $5.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /PLM | Micro Platinum Futures | 10 troy ounces | $0.10 = $1.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /PA | Palladium Futures | 100 troy ounces | $0.50 = $50.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /PAM | Micro Palladium Futures | 10 troy ounces | $0.50 = $5.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /ALI | Aluminum Futures | 25 metric tons | $0.01/metric ton = $25.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /HRC | U.S. Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel Futures | 20 short tons | $1.00/short ton = $20.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /BUS | U.S. Midwest Busheling Ferrous Scrap Futures | 20 gross tons | $1.00/gross ton = $20.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /TIO | Iron Ore 62% Fe CFR China Futures | 500 dry metric tons | $0.10/metric ton = $5.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /COB | Cobalt Metal Fastmarkets Futures | 1 metric ton | $0.01/pound = $22.05 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /LTH | Lithium Hydroxide CIF CJK Fastmarkets Futures | 1,000 Kilograms | $0.01/Kilogram = $10.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
| /LTC | Lithium Carbonate CIF CJK Fastmarkets Futures | 1,000 Kilograms | $0.01/Kilogram = $10.00 | Sun 6 PM – Fri 5 PM |
Access Contracts of All Sizes
Full Size
Full-size futures contracts represent the standard, complete unit of a financial index or commodity in the futures market. These contracts offer larger position sizes and potentially greater profit (or loss) potential, they also require more capital and carry higher risk compared to their E-mini and Micro counterparts.
E-mini
E-minis are a standard futures contract that is broken down into a fractional portion of a financial index. The “E” designates it is traded electronically. When launched in 1997, E-minis were a fraction of the size of pit-traded contracts, but they have come to dominate the futures markets.
Micro E-mini
Trade a slice of CME’s liquid futures markets and get the same capital efficiency as standard E-mini contracts with less upfront financial commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are metal futures important to investors?
Metal futures allow investors to protect against inflation, diversify their portfolios, and gain exposure to commodity price cycles without holding physical metals.
Why do people trade metal futures?
They’re used to hedge against inflation, diversify portfolios, or speculate on industrial demand and global economic conditions.
Are metal futures only for large accounts?
No. Micro contracts (like Micro Gold – MGC) offer lower capital requirements, making metals accessible to retail traders as well.
What’s the difference between precious and base metals?
Precious metals (like gold and silver) are valued for scarcity and store of value, while base/industrial metals (like copper or aluminum) are used in manufacturing and construction.
Are metal futures physically delivered?
Yes, many are technically deliverable, but most traders exit or roll positions before expiration to avoid physical settlement.
What affects metal futures prices?
Prices move based on inflation expectations, global supply chains, mining output, central bank policies, and demand from industries or investors.
No Minimum Deposit Required
Whether you’re new to futures trading or an experienced trader, we get you on track to begin your trading journey with flexibility. No need for large initial deposits—start with an amount that suits you and grow from there.
