In this episode, Mark Longo and guest Morad Askar delve into the complexities of the futures markets. They discuss the recent market activities, including significant movements in NatGas, precious metals, and the stock market's reaction to the government shutdown. The episode also covers year-to-date movers, highlighting key players like gold and crypto, and explores the ongoing debate between gold and VIX as indicators of market sentiment. Additionally, they provide insights into various trading strategies and the benefits of using micros and why certain futures might not be suitable for all investors. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:58 Market Analysis: Government Shutdown and Market Reactions 07:03 Futures Market Movers: Ups and Downs 14:14 Top 10 Contracts and Trading Insights 18:14 NASDAQ's Dominance in Equity Volume 18:33 Year-to-Date Movers: Precious Metals and Crypto 21:18 Downside Movers: A Rough Year for Some Commodities 22:22 Futures Market Insights and Trading Advice 23:29 Crypto Futures and Hedging Strategies 24:56 Debating Market Sentiment: Gold vs. VIX 25:33 Futures Free-for-All: Audience Q&A 32:56 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Contact Info