Gain direct exposure to the crude oil market using NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil futures, the world’s most liquid oil contract. WTI Crude Oil futures are the most efficient way to trade the light, sweet crude oil blend after a sharp rise in US crude oil production. Hedge to minimize the impact of potentially adverse price moves on the value of oil-related assets, or speculate to express your views on oil price movements.
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Features and benefits
Deep, liquid market
Nearly 1.2 million contracts trade daily, with 2 million+ in open interest.
Global benchmark
WTI is the go-to measure of world’s oil prices due to the rise in US production, Asian usage and liftoff of US export ban.
≥ 80% margin offsets
Trade with other NYMEX oil contracts for significant savings and precise exposure.
Physical settlement
NYMEX WTI is closely connected to the spot market, reducing costs.
60/40 US tax treatment
Enjoy 60% long term, 40% short term treatment on capital gains.
Futures leverage
Control a large contract value with a small amount of capital. Used properly, futures are a powerful way to increase capital efficiency and exposure.
Explore this product in depth
PRODUCTS
Micro WTI Crude Oil options
Options on Micro WTI futures are now trading. Building on the strength and liquidity of Micro WTI futures, Micro WTI options can add versatility to your crude oil strategies.
NYMEX WTI and the oil market ecosystem
Spread NYMEX WTI with other liquid NYMEX energy benchmarks to easily capture inherent price relationships, and get cross-margin savings, operational efficiencies and lower costs.
NYMEX WTI Crude and NYMEX RBOB Gas
Gasoline and diesel prices are impacted by crude oil price changes, and can be traded with this spread.
NYMEX WTI Crude and NYMEX Heating Oil
Crude oil costs account for 56% of the average price of a gallon of heating oil—trade this relationship with this spread.
NYMEX WTI Crude and NYMEX Brent Oil
North Sea Brent is the second traded crude blend after WTI. Trade the spread between these two crudes at NYMEX for increased efficiency.
NYMEX WTI Crude and DME Oman Oil
Trade the relationship between light sweet (WTI) and “sour” crude (DME Oman crude), used primarily in Asia.
Compare NYMEX WTI futures vs. other oil and energy products
- No management: fee Unlike ETFs, pay no management fee with NYMEX WTI futures
- Trade around the clock: 24 hour-access means no waiting for the ETF open as market events (U.S. elections, weather events) that impact oil prices unfold
- Unparalleled liquidity: Enjoy significantly more daily liquidity than founds with other oil instruments
- Direct exposure: Many of today’s oil and energy index ETFs use NYMEX WTI futures to get their oil market exposure
- No roll slippage: Avoid the costly loss of correlation to oil market that many oil ETFs exhibit near the futures roll
- Direct exposure: Easier to trade on oil price changes in futures vs. stocks
- No uptick rule: Easily sell short with NYMEX WTI futures, no uptick rule or special requirements to worry about
- Trade around the clock: Nearly 24-hour access enables you to react to off-hour news and events affecting the oil market
- Margin efficiency: Basket of oil company stocks requires 50% margin paid upfront vs. 3%-12% margin of NYMEX WTI contract value, translating to greater buying power
Key economic reports and factors that move markets
Check out the "Learn about Key Economic Events" course and economic release calendar at the CME Institute to learn more.
View the latest insights on trends in the Energy market.
Courses
Take self-guided courses on Crude Oil futures and options products.
If you're new to futures, the courses below can help you quickly understand the Crude Oil market and start trading.
Contact an Energy expert
Connect with a member of our expert Energy team for more information about our products.
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Looking for more? Explore our additional resources
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Looking for more? Explore our additional resources
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Looking for more? Explore our additional resources
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About Crude Oil
Trade NYMEX WTI Crude Oil futures (CL), the world’s most liquid crude oil contract. When traders need the current oil price, they check the WTI Crude Oil price. WTI (West Texas Intermediate, a US light sweet crude oil blend) futures provide direct crude oil exposure and are the most efficient way to trade oil after a sharp rise in US crude oil production.
Use WTI Crude Oil futures to hedge against adverse oil price moves or speculate on whether WTI oil prices will rise or fall. Our diverse WTI futures and options suite provides more flexibility to trade oil with WTI Crude Oil price discovery. View delayed WTI Oil prices and WTI Oil price charts below.
