E-mini futures are becoming an increasingly popular way for traders to participate in the futures markets, offering a range of advantages over traditional futures contracts. These advantages include lower margin requirements, greater flexibility in trading times, and the ability to trade a range of markets from a single account.
If you’re looking to trade e-mini futures, there are a number of different options available to you. In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the best places to trade e-mini futures, with each offering their own unique set of advantages and resources to help traders get started.
Here are the top 10 places to trade e Mini Futures
1. CME Group
Topping our list of places Where You Can Trade e Mini Futures CME Group. CME Group is the world’s largest derivatives exchange, offering a wide range of e-mini futures contracts, including those based on stock indices, commodities, and currencies. As a highly-regulated exchange, CME Group provides traders with a secure and reliable trading environment, backed by advanced trading technology and a wealth of resources to help traders stay informed and make informed decisions.
2. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a popular online broker that offers a wide range of futures trading options, including e-mini futures. With low commissions, a user-friendly trading platform, and a range of educational resources, Interactive Brokers is a great choice for traders looking to get started in the futures markets.
3. TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade is another online broker that offers a range of e-mini futures trading options, as well as tools and resources to help traders make informed decisions. With a comprehensive trading platform, low commissions, and a range of educational resources, TD Ameritrade is a great choice for traders of all experience levels.
4. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is a well-established brokerage firm that offers e-mini futures trading options as well as a range of educational resources to help traders get started. With a comprehensive trading platform, low commissions, and a wealth of research and analysis tools, Charles Schwab is a great choice for traders looking to gain a deeper understanding of the futures markets.
5. NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is a popular trading platform that offers e-mini futures trading options as well as a range of tools and resources to help traders develop and test their trading strategies. With advanced charting and analysis tools, a user-friendly interface, and low commissions, NinjaTrader is a great choice for traders looking to take their trading to the next level.
6. TradeStation
TradeStation is a comprehensive trading platform that offers e-mini futures trading options, as well as advanced charting and analysis tools. With a wide range of customizable indicators and trading strategies, TradeStation is a great choice for traders looking to build and test their own trading systems.
7. Tastyworks
Tastyworks is a popular online brokerage that offers e-mini futures trading options, as well as a range of educational resources and a user-friendly trading platform. With low commissions and a focus on simplicity and ease of use, Tastyworks is a great choice for traders of all experience levels.
8. AMP Futures
AMP Futures is a futures broker that specializes in e-mini futures trading, offering a range of trading platforms and resources to help traders get started.
9. Infinity Futures
Infinity Futures is a futures broker that offers e-mini futures trading options, as well as a range of trading platforms and resources to help traders develop and execute their trading strategies.
10. ETRADE
ETRADE is a well-known online brokerage that offers e-mini futures trading options, as well as a range of educational resources and trading tools.
e-mini S&P 500 Margin Requirements
The initial margin requirement on E-mini S&P 500 futures contracts is $5,060 with a maintenance margin of $4,600. The overnight initial minimum is another thing to take into consideration when trading E-minis. This is the amount of money needed to hold your position in the market after close.
Micro e-mini S&P 500 Futures Contract Specifications
| MICRO E-MINI S&P 500 | MICRO E-MINI NASDAQ-100 | MICRO E-MINI RUSSELL 2000 | MICRO E-MINI DOW | MICRO E-MINI S&P MIDCAP 400 | MICRO E-MINI S&P SMALLCAP 600 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTRACT SIZE | $5 x S&P 500 Index | $2 x Nasdaq-100 Index | $5 x Russell 2000 Index | $0.50 x DJIA Index | $10 x S&P MidCap 400 Index | $10 x S&P SmallCap 600 Index |
| TRADING AND CLEARING HOURS | CME Globex and ClearPort: 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday-Friday | |||||
| MINIMUM PRICE FLUCTUATION | Outright: 0.25 Index points, equal to $1.25 per contract. | Outright: 0.25 Index points, equal to $0.50 per contract. | Outright: 0.10 Index points, equal to $0.50 per contract. | Outright: 1.00 Index points, equal to $0.50 per contract. | Outright: 1.00 Index points, equal to $1.00 per contract. | Outright: 1.00 Index points, equal to $0.50 per contract. |
| DOLLAR VALUE OF ONE TICK |
$1.25 per contract | $0.50 per contract | $0.50 per contract | $0.50 per contract | $1.00 per contract | $0.50 per contract |
| PRODUCT CODE | CME Globex: MES CME ClearPort: MES Clearing: MES | CME Globex: MNQ CME ClearPort: MNQ Clearing: MNQ | CME Globex: M2K CME ClearPort: M2K Clearing: M2K | CME Globex: MYM CME ClearPort: MYM Clearing: MYM | CME Globex: MMC CME ClearPort: MMC Clearing: MMC | CME Globex: MSC CME ClearPort: MSC Clearing: MSC |
| CONTRACT MONTHS | Five months in the March Quarterly Cycle H, M, U, Z, H (March, June, September, December, March) |
Four months in the March Quarterly Cycle (March, June, September, December) | Five months in the March Quarterly Cycle H, M, U, Z, H (March, June, September, December, March) |
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| DELIVERY | Delivery is by cash settlement by reference to Final Settlement Price, equal to Special Opening Quotation of Index based on opening prices of Index component stocks. | |||||
| TERMINATION OF TRADING | 8:30 a.m. CT on 3rd Friday of contract delivery month Trading in expiring futures terminates at 8:30 am on Last Day of Trading. |
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How Many e-mini Contracts can I Trade?
Theoretically, you can trade as many E-mini contracts as your account balance allows you. Because E-mini contracts are traded on margin ($500/contract) you can trade more contracts with less money.
Essentially margin is what your broker uses as collateral for you to take control of a futures contract. Theoretically, a trader could trade as many as 5 contracts ($500 margin each) at once with a $2,500 account, though this would introduce a trader to an enormous amount of risk.
How Much is One e-mini Futures Contract?
E-mini S&P 500 futures contract specifications. 0.25, worth $12.50 per contract. Fees for futures and options on futures are $2.25 per contract, plus exchange and regulatory fees. Note: Exchange fees may vary by exchange and by product.