In this episode of the Futures Rundown, listeners are welcomed back to explore the complexities of the futures markets with host Mark and guest Rich Excel from the University of Illinois Gies School of Business. The discussion kicks off with a recap of past episodes and recent market trends, including a notable dive into uranium and the latest in the futures market activities such as the performance of commodities, metals, and major indices. Rich discusses his recent educational trip to Europe, where he expanded the horizons of derivative students, covering key spots like Frankfurt, Zurich, and Vienna. The episode goes further into dissecting the top upside and downside movers in the futures market for the year and delves into Rich’s insights on global bond market attractiveness, especially focusing on Japan. The show wraps up with a playful yet divisive debate on the controversial issue of ketchup on hot dogs, reflecting listener sentiments and sparking lively interaction among the audience.   02:59 Welcome Back, Rich Excel 04:20 Diving into the Trading Pits 06:09 Market Movers and Shakers 11:32 Analyzing the Downside 15:11 Active Day in the Futures Market 22:36 Exploring the Japanese Market Angle 23:00 Mid-Year Market Trends and Insights 23:27 Top Performing Assets of the Year 26:40 Analyzing the Downside Movers 29:56 Futures Free for All: Q&A Session 34:00 The Great Ketchup Debate 38:05 European Derivatives Tour Highlights 40:18 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes