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Guide: futures levels on an XAUUSD CFD chart
Why the numbers differTwo ways to workStep 1: measure the basisStep 2: convert a levelStep 3: mark it on your CFD chartWhat to convert, and what not toA faster option
Many traders execute on an XAUUSD CFD but want the context of the gold futures market, where exchange volume is reported. This guide shows why AK FlowBook gives different numbers on the two charts and how to carry futures levels over to your CFD chart.
You need: a TradingView layout with two charts (or two tabs): COMEX:GC1! and your broker's XAUUSD (for example OANDA:XAUUSD), both on 5 minutes, both with AK FlowBook.
Why the numbers differ
| Reason | What it means on the chart |
|---|---|
| Price level (basis) | Gold futures usually trade at a different price from spot gold, mostly because of interest (carry) until the contract expires. The gap is called the basis. It changes slowly over time and jumps when the front contract rolls. |
| Volume | Futures volume is exchange volume. CFD volume is whatever your broker reports, often a count of price updates. VWAP, profiles and flow estimates are weighted by that volume, so they differ. |
| Sessions | Each symbol has its own trading day on TradingView. Daily VWAP, the daily profile and the prior day high and low start at the symbol's session start, which can differ between the CFD and the futures. |
| Data delay | Futures data may be delayed on TradingView unless you have a real-time subscription for that exchange. |
None of these is an error. They are two different data sources describing the same market.
Two ways to work
Option A: use the CFD's own levels
Run AK FlowBook directly on your XAUUSD chart. Levels sit at CFD prices, so no conversion is needed. The levels are built from your broker's volume, which is fine for VWAP and prior highs and lows, but profiles and flow estimates are less representative of the whole market.
Option B: carry futures levels to the CFD chart
Use the futures chart for the map, then convert the levels you care about. This keeps the exchange-volume levels and lets you watch them on the price you trade.
Step 1: measure the basis
At the same moment, read the last price on both charts:
basis = GC price − XAUUSD price
Example with made-up round numbers: GC1! at 4,148.0 and XAUUSD at 4,120.0 gives a basis of 28.0.
Step 2: convert a level
CFD level = GC level − basis
Continuing the example: a GC nPOC at 4,166.0 becomes about 4,138.0 on XAUUSD. A GC W VAL at 4,121.0 becomes about 4,093.0.
Treat the converted level as an area of a few ticks, not an exact price. The basis moves a little during the day and the two feeds do not tick together.
Step 3: mark it on your CFD chart
Draw a horizontal line on the XAUUSD chart at the converted price and label it with its source, for example GC nPOC. Keep the original futures chart open next to it so you can see when the futures level is actually touched.
What to convert, and what not to
| Convert | Keep on the futures chart |
|---|---|
Naked levels (nPOC, nVAH, nVAL, nVWAP) | Flow markers (D~, A~, CVD~, bubbles) |
| D/W/M POC, VAH, VAL | The footprint panel |
| D/W/M VWAP and prior highs and lows, if you want the futures version | AK setup context markers and FlowBook X |
15-minute MAJ and L2 levels | Dashboard readings |
Levels are prices and convert well. Flow events are tied to the futures bars that produced them; read them on the futures chart.
OANDA:XAUUSD and COMEX:GC1! 5-minute charts by default. They can differ between the two charts because the inputs differ.A faster option
Our live gold page shows daily levels built from real gold futures volume. You can compare those with what AK FlowBook draws on your chart.
Related: VWAP map, Volume profiles, Troubleshooting.
Education only. Not financial advice. Trading futures and CFDs carries a high risk of loss.