How much do you pay in commission to trade the ES? I'm hoping to negotiate a lower price. It seems like a rip off to pay $2.50 per side. What's the best rate that non-exchange members can hope to pay. Thanks.
I won't recommed a broker but here in no particualr order are some published rates or similar(for ES in particular where available per the OP post) from various brokers. Use this as a starting point for negotiations. Reminder: your choice of platform may add additional fees. Platform fees may be negotiable as well. Negotiations are more dependent on volume than account size. http://proactivefutures.com/fees_comm/CME_Fees.htm http://mbtrading.com/ratesFutures.asp http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/accounts/fees/futuresPricing2.php?ib_entity=llc http://www.tradestation.com/popups/fees/commissions_markets/cme.htm http://www.cannontrading.com/accounts/commissions.php http://www.nobletrading.com/commissions-futures.php http://jrfutures.com/ http://gofutures.com/ http://www.expresstrade.com/futures_commissions.php https://www.directfills.com/fees/fees.cfm? Something else to keep in mind... larger brokers with published rates are less likely, if at all, to negotiate. IBs for larger brokers are usually a wise alternative in such cases.
I think the more pertinent question is: How much do you pay without requirements for volume or account size? I pay $4.82/RT in one such account. I pay $4.50/RT in another such account.
If you are not trading any size, then yes, this is a more pertinent question. If trading size however, the per trade rates can be highly negotiated lower.