Instruments and contract rollover
TickerExplorer works with futures. Each future has several contracts with different expiries, for example ESZ6 and ESH7 for the E-mini S&P 500. The contract with the nearest expiry is the front month. As expiry approaches, the market moves to the next contract: this is the rollover.
On this page you see how TickerExplorer chooses the contract and how to keep it up to date.
Instruments and contracts
In TickerExplorer an instrument is identified by its root symbol and its exchange, for example ES on CME. For each instrument TickerExplorer keeps the contract in use, for example ESZ6.
In charts, in the DOM and in workspaces you choose the instrument by its root symbol, for example ES. TickerExplorer uses the contract in use for that instrument.
The first time you connect the Master account, TickerExplorer syncs the instruments with Rithmic: for each one it sets the current contract, with its expiry, and the contract data (tick value, point value, currency).
The Instrument Management window
You manage instruments in the Instrument Management window:
- In the command bar, click the gear icon (tooltip Settings Menu).
- Click the Instrument Management icon.
The window lists the available instruments. The main columns are:
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Root and Exchange | Root symbol and exchange of the instrument |
| Symbol | Contract in use, for example ESZ6 |
| Expiry | Expiry of the contract in use |
| Tick Size, Point Value, Tick Value, Currency | Contract data, used to calculate profit and loss |
| Proposal | New contract proposed for the rollover, if any |
| Last Sync | Date of the last sync with Rithmic |
With Filter: you can show a single exchange. The Active Only check box shows only active instruments.
Double-click an instrument to see all its details.
Check for new front month contracts
When Rithmic indicates a new front month, TickerExplorer does not change the contract by itself: it proposes the rollover and waits for your confirmation. The proposal, however, is only created when you sync the instruments. This is why we recommend that you check for new front month contracts at least once a week.
You need the Master account connected.
:::warning Close charts and workspaces before the rollover The rollover must be done with all charts closed and no workspace open. Before you start:
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Close all chart windows.
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If a workspace is open, open Trading Tools → WORKSPACE in the command bar and click Close Workspace. :::
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Open Instrument Management.
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Click 🔗 Sync All and confirm.
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Wait until the sync is complete. The final message shows how many instruments were updated and how many rollover proposals there are.
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If there are proposals, click 🔔 Review Proposals.
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For each proposal, check the current contract and the proposed one, with their expiries:
- Yes confirms the rollover: the proposed contract becomes the contract in use;
- No rejects the proposal: the current contract stays;
- Cancel skips the proposal, which stays pending.
Instruments with a pending proposal are highlighted in orange and show the new contract in the Proposal column. The 🔔 Review Proposals button appears only when there are proposals.
You can also sync a single instrument: select it and click 🔗 Sync. Alternatively, right-click the instrument and choose ✅ Confirm Proposal or ❌ Reject Proposal.
:::caution Orders and positions on the old contract The rollover changes the contract used by TickerExplorer, but it does not move or close orders and positions open on the old contract. Manage them before you confirm the rollover. :::
After the rollover you can open your charts and workspace again: they will use the new contract.
Correct a contract manually
If you need a contract different from the proposed one:
- Select the instrument.
- Click ✏️ Edit Symbol.
- Type the full contract symbol, for example ESH7.
- Click OK.
The new contract is used right away, without a proposal.
With a right-click you can also correct the contract data: 📊 Edit Tick Size, 💰 Edit Point Value and 💱 Edit Currency. These values are used to calculate profit and loss in charts: change them only if you are sure of the correct values.
Other functions
- 📌 Front Month: needed only when the same root symbol is available on more than one exchange. It sets which exchange to use for that symbol. It does not change the contract.
- ⚠️ Override Expiry: records a manual expiry date, shown in the instrument details. It does not change the contract in use.
Instruments not in the list
You cannot add new instruments to the list from the interface. To suggest a new instrument, write to support: support@quantirica.com.