Definition
The number of futures contracts still open at the end of a trading day.
The story
Volume counts how many times contracts changed hands today. Open interest counts how many are still out there. If both rise together, new money is coming into the market, not just the same money trading back and forth.
Why markets watch it
It shows how much money is committed to a market.
Connects to
We explain why it moves markets. What you do with it is your call. Commentary and education only. Not financial advice. All terms