Hi, I'm just starting to learn about futures.

I read that volume in futures contracts are greatest on the front month contract. When I look at the charts for CL, I see that the volume is much greater for CL 07-18 than CL 06-18. When I look at the Rollover option on Ninjatrader, it also points me towards the CL 07-18.

But I thought the front month was supposed to be the one with the expiration date closest to the current date, which would make the front month for CL be CL 06-18.

Can someone explain to me:

1) Why the front month contract for CL right now is July and not June?

2) How can we speculators determine at precisely what point in time to roll over to the next front contract? For example, currently, CL 07-18 is best for speculating in terms of liquidity and volume. I'm assuming at some point in June, everyone will move over the CL 08-18???? When exactly is that time????

Thanks everyone.

canoekoh 

1) Why the front month contract for CL right now is July and not June? 2) How can we speculators determine at precisely what point in time to roll over to the next front contract? For example, currently, CL 07-18 is best for speculating in terms of liquidity and volume. I'm assuming at some point in June, everyone will move over the CL 08-18???? When exactly is that time????

I can address question 2 - the most straightforward way to determine roll-over for CL is to look at the volume traded.

Around the 18th of each month (usually earlier if the 18th falls on a weekend) you will see that the next month will have more volume than the prior month. That day is when you want to rollover.

I keep a calendar with a date when rollover by most active volume took place.