Each COMEX Gold (GC) futures contract represents 100 troy ounces of gold. The notional value equals 100 × the current gold price. For example, if gold is $2,000 per ounce, the contract value is $200,000.

tick size and tick value for Gold futures (GC) 

• Minimum tick size: $0.10 per ounce

• Tick value: $10 per contract

Because the contract represents 100 ounces, a $1.00 move in gold equals $100 per contract.

The symbol is GC, followed by the contract month and year code (for example, GCM26 for June 2026). Active traders typically trade the front-month contract due to higher liquidity.

COMEX Gold futures trade on CME Globex, the electronic trading platform of CME Group, nearly 24 hours per day. The contract is cleared through CME Clearing and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

COMEX Gold futures trade:

• Sunday–Friday: 6:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Time

• Daily maintenance break: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT

This nearly 24-hour session allows traders to respond to global macro events.

Margin requirements vary depending on volatility and brokerage policy. Typical CME initial margin ranges from $40,000–$45,000 per contract, but this can change based on market conditions. Traders must also maintain maintenance margin levels to keep positions open.

Yes. COMEX Gold futures are physically deliverable, meaning that if held to expiration, the contract may result in delivery of 100 troy ounces of gold at an approved COMEX depository. Most traders close or roll positions before delivery.

Gold futures are influenced by:

• U.S. dollar strength

• Interest rates and Federal Reserve policy

• Inflation expectations

• Geopolitical risk

• Central bank activity

• ETF inflows/outflows

Gold often trades as a macro hedge and inflation-sensitive asset.

If held into the delivery period, traders may be required to take or make physical delivery of 100 ounces of gold. Most traders avoid this by closing or rolling contracts before first notice day.