Rollover - Quick Facts & FAQs

Quick Facts about Rollover Day

The following applies to many (if not most) futures contracts especially those from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT).

• Rollover is 8 days before expiration.


• Expiration is the third Friday of each quarter month (March, June, September, December)


• The contract letter associated with each month is: March=H June=M September=U December=Z


• Rollover is on a Thursday.


• Rollover is usually on the second Thursday of the month but will be on the first Thursday if the first day of the month falls on a Friday


• Volume shifts to the new contract at market open (09:30 EST) on Rollover day


• New day trading or swing trading positions opened on rollover day should use the new contract month irrespective of when you plan to close it.


• New swing positions might be better opened using the new contract if opened within a few days of rollover day.


• Market myths abound at rollover and expiration. Check the source and confirm the probabilities before believing anything.


• Rollover Days and Volume