I started trading a year ago and thanks to some of the advice here on ET I tried trading the ETFs. WOW these are so much more smooth to trade. I hold positions overnight, but I still scalp a little if I get the windfall profit. Another thing I noticed is since they dont really rip around I can use nearly any execution platform around! Even my ameritrade account! I did notice the spreads seem a little wide at times, but when I stand my ground with bids and offers i generally get filled. I just wanted to share, I was about to give up trading and become a 9 to 5 man again, but I think I have been set on the right course now.
Glad to hear about your success Which ETF's do you primarily trade? Can you share your successfull strategies? --MIKE
If you like ETFs, try the e-minis then. They track the same set of indices (SP500, Dow, Nas) and have, in my opinion, more advantages than equities.
This is what I tell people when they say that Single Stock Futures would be nearly ideal except for the 8¢ average spreads. Place your order 2¢ or 3¢ better than the bid/ask, you will usually get filled at your price. A few ETFs do trade in Single Stock Future form too. QQQ, DIA, and 7 Russell Indexes
This is what I tell people when they say that Single Stock Futures would be nearly ideal except for the 8¢ average spreads. Place your order 2¢ or 3¢ better than the bid/ask, you will usually get filled at your price. ___________________________________________________ These SSF how many stocks do they have now and what type of volume do they trade. Do they always have a spread of 8 cents or more. Do they have a wide spread when the market rips?
About 100 stocks now. They add a new one now and then. Spreads are average 8¢, some stocks are typically 5 or 6 cents, some are 9 or 10, but 8¢ is general average. When market rips an 8¢ spread SSF may go to 10-12 cents for a few seconds or so.
I don't know. I do think it's a good opportunity to be in on the beginning of something that's likely to increase in volume and popularity in the coming years. Just as I think the BOX exchange, when it finally gets off the ground, will be an opportunity to be involved in from the beginning. Like the E-minis, or Weather Futures.