I'm pondering trading the ES or NQ, and was wondering about how margin works with these instruments. From what I've found, ES is $50 x index per contract. So, for ES trading at 890 X $50 = $44,500. It seems like this can add up FAST with multiple contracts. Does margin work the same with futures as with equites? If I have a 50k account, what could I trade utilizing margin? Thanks.
No trying to be rudehere but : If you have to ask these questions : DON'T TRADE FUTURES. Basicly around $1000 / contract is required for trading (intraday) 1 contract ES mini So answerring your question you would be able to enter a position of 50 contracts - Every point change in the futures would be $2500,- !!! Take a look at the average daily range and you;ll understand.
That's the value of the contract - not the required margin. Full margin for ES is about $4K. Daytrading margins exist, depending on your broker.
Thanks, Rob. I don't intend to trade until I do understand this. Just looking for inputs from folks more experienced with this. Cheers.
No harm in asking questions. I doubt that the margin requirements come to "experienced" traders in a dream. --Db
CME performance bond requirements ... http://www.cme.com/httpwrapper.cfm?...m&beginAfterRE=<body[^>]+>&endBeforeRE=</body