Highlights
- Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, combined with President Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on European nations regarding the Greenland dispute, have heightened market uncertainty from both economic and geopolitical perspectives. Gold prices reached an all-time high of $5,626.8/oz before dropping over 11% on the month's final day, a move triggered by President Trump’s nomination of the hawkish Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair. The COMEX active gold price eventually settled at $4,745.1/oz, up 9.3% month-over-month (MoM).
- Similar to its precious metal counterpart, silver prices surged to over $120/oz, driven by physical supply constraints, Chinese demand and strong speculative flows. However, the Fed Chair nomination strengthened the U.S. dollar and caused COMEX active silver prices to plummet over 31% intraday. Silver closed the month at $78.530/oz, up 11.2% MoM.
- Global supply concerns in the copper market have escalated due to concentrated inventories in the U.S. and a strike at a key Chilean mine. Alongside these supply worries, positive demand expectations surrounding the energy transition and AI investment provided further momentum, pushing the red metal to settle January at a historical high of $5.9240/lb, up 4.3% MoM.
- Liquidity in risk management instruments has become increasingly vital in the current volatile trading environment. Our Micro Metals futures have seen a robust increase in volume as participants leverage the deep liquidity of these contracts to manage their investment positions.
- Micro Gold (MGC) futures recorded its best daily volume of 1,586,851 contracts on January 30. The average daily volume (ADV) for the month reached 692,827 contracts, the second-highest monthly record in history.
- Micro Silver (SIL) futures set new historical records in January, with an ADV of 438,150 contracts and an average daily open interest (ADOI) of 28,241 contracts.
- Micro Copper (MHG) futures achieved its highest monthly records since launch, with an ADV of 48,458 contracts and an ADOI of 14,470 contracts in January.
- 1-Ounce Gold (1OZ) futures reached historic monthly highs in January, with an ADV of 115,197 contracts and an ADOI of 19,218 contracts.
- 100-Ounce Silver (SIC) futures is now available for trading.
Micro Gold (MGC), Micro Silver (SIL) and Micro Copper (MHG) Futures Update
MGC, SIL and MHG price movement and daily range (expressed in terms of one lot notional)
*Intraday price movement is expressed as the difference between the daily high price and the daily low price multiplied by the contract notional in troy ounce (MGC and SIL) and pounds (MHG).
Options Heatmap (Change in OI from December 31st, 2025 to January 30th, 2026)
Key Economic Events in February/March 2026:
|
Economic Event |
ET |
GMT / BST |
SGT / HKT |
|---|---|---|---|
|
RatingDog Manufacturing PMI |
Feb 1, 8.45 p.m. |
Feb 2, 1.45 a.m. |
Feb 2, 9.45 a.m. |
|
U.S. ISM Manufacturing PMI |
Feb 2, 10.00 a.m. |
Feb 2, 3.00 p.m. |
Feb 2, 11.00 p.m. |
|
U.S. Non Farm Payrolls |
Feb 6, 8.30 a.m. |
Feb 6, 1.30 p.m. |
Feb 6, 9.30 p.m. |
|
China Inflation Rate YoY |
Feb 10, 8.30 p.m. |
Feb 11, 1.30 a.m. |
Feb 11, 9.30 a.m. |
|
U.S. Inflation Numbers |
Feb 11, 8.30 a.m. |
Feb 11, 1.30 p.m. |
Feb 11, 9.30 p.m. |
|
FOMC Minutes |
Feb 18, 2.00 p.m. |
Feb 18, 7.00 p.m. |
Feb 19, 3.00 a.m. |
|
U.S. Core PCE Price Index |
Feb 20, 8.30 a.m. |
Feb 20, 1.30 p.m. |
Feb 20, 9.30 p.m. |
|
RatingDog Manufacturing PMI |
Mar 1, 8.45 p.m. |
Mar 2, 1.45 a.m. |
Mar 2, 9.45 a.m. |
|
U.S. ISM Manufacturing PMI |
Mar 2, 10.00 a.m. |
Mar 2, 3.00 p.m. |
Mar 2, 11.00 p.m. |
|
China NBS Manufacturing PMI |
Mar 3, 8.30 p.m. |
Mar 4, 1.30 a.m. |
Mar 4, 9.30 a.m. |
|
U.S. Non Farm Payrolls |
Mar 6, 8.30 a.m. |
Mar 6, 1.30 p.m. |
Mar 6, 9.30 p.m. |
|
China Inflation Rate YoY |
Mar 8, 9.30 p.m. |
Mar 9, 1.30 a.m. |
Mar 9, 9.30 a.m. |
|
China Balance of Trade |
Mar 9, 11.00 p.m. |
Mar 10, 3.00 a.m. |
Mar 10, 11.00 a.m. |
|
U.S. Inflation Numbers |
Mar 11, 8.30 a.m. |
Mar 11, 12.30 p.m. |
Mar 11, 8.30 p.m. |
|
U.S. Core PCE Price Index |
Mar 13, 9.30 a.m. |
Mar 13, 1.30 p.m. |
Mar 13, 9.30 p.m. |
|
China Industrial Production YoY |
Mar 15, 10.00 p.m. |
Mar 16, 2.00 a.m. |
Mar 16, 10.00 a.m. |
|
U.S. Fed Interest Rate Decision, FOMC Economic Projections and Fed Press Conference |
Mar 18, 2.00 p.m. |
Mar 18, 6.00 p.m. |
Mar 19, 2.00 a.m. |
|
China NBS Manufacturing PMI |
Mar 30, 9.30 p.m. |
Mar 31, 2.30 a.m. |
Mar 31, 9.30 a.m. |
|
RatingDog Manufacturing PMI |
Mar 31, 9.45 p.m. |
Apr 1, 2.45 a.m. |
Apr 1, 9.45 a.m. |
Source: CME Group, QuikStrike
Useful resources
Stay up-to-date with the latest probabilities of FOMC rate moves with the CME FedWatch Tool.
The Commitments of Traders (COT) tool can provide a comprehensive and highly configurable graphical representation of the CFTC's report on market open interest.
Build and test your trading strategies in a simulated environment with free pricing and analytics tools for CME Group markets. Choose from three ways to access exclusive, web-based tools developed by QuikStrike®.
Disclaimer
Exchange traded derivatives and cleared over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives are not suitable for all investors and involve the risk of loss. Exchange traded and OTC derivatives are leveraged instruments and because only a percentage of a contract’s value is required to trade, it is possible to lose more than the amount of money initially deposited. This communication does not (within the meaning of any applicable legislation) constitute a Prospectus or a public offering of securities; nor is it a recommendation, offer, invitation or solicitation to buy, sell or retain any specific investment or service.
The content in this communication has been compiled by CME Group for general purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be construed as advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and you should obtain appropriate professional advice before acting on or relying on the information set out in this communication. Although every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information within this communication as of the date of publication, CME Group assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions and will not update it. Additionally, all examples and information in this communication are used for explanation purposes only and should not be considered, investment advice, the results of actual market experience, or the promotion of any particular products or services. All matters pertaining to rules and specifications herein are made subject to and superseded by official Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (“CME”), the Chicago Board of Trade, Inc. (“CBOT”), the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (“NYMEX”), and the Commodity Exchange, Inc. (“COMEX”) rulebooks or, as applicable, the respective Rulebooks of CME Group’s certain other subsidiary trading facilities. Current rules should be consulted in all cases including matters relevant to contract specifications.