In the futures world, the word contango is often treated like a four-letter obscenity. But when traders understand that it is simply a natural phenomenon that can be navigated, contango loses its negative connotation. Contango is defined as the process whereby near month futures are cheaper than those expiring further into the future, creating an upward sloping curve for future prices over time. It has been known to burn investors who are not aware of its presence, but staying one step ahead of the futures curve can lead to smarter, more efficient trades [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter ]. See the full story here → Related Posts: Contango Report: Commodities Facing Uphill Curves Contango Report: Precious Metals, Natural Gas, Wheat For Day Traders: The Most Liquid ETF for Every Commodity 2013 Commodity Trades You Wish You Made Commodities That Have Thrived Under President Obama