As an IB customer issues like this are one of the reasons I've been looking into opening an account with DDT using CQG QTrader. The frustrating thing is IB is capable of making exchange spreads work better (DOM, charts [which are a mess right now]) and if they would just do that less of us would be looking at alternatives. It's not that I mind alternatives but I mind paying for yet even more data for the same damn markets I already have access to. Do people actually trade ES calendars? I was under the assumption that index future spreads weren't a thing.
I certainly dont trade ES Calendars I was just checking out book trader for different instruments. From what I could see it hardly ever moves. TWS charts - now there is a funny joke! The only thing I like about TWS is its free of charge. It beats paying $400-600pm for another front end. That money almost covers the cost of leasing a seat on the exchange. With higher volumes I believe IB will be beaten on commission by other brokers, when you add that in you may as well pony up for CQG or TT. In an ideal world I would like a broker like Advantage to offer a simple free order entry platform where you can trade spreads and where exchange margins are used. When you consider that paying $500pm for a platform is a 6% annual loss on a $100k account straight off the bat it isnt worth it especially if you dont use the features. Many investors would kill for a 6% return on there money.
Look at CQG Q trader... It's cheap.. Lower commissions offset Note your margins are exchange set.. Not like IB
yeah thanks advantage website says CQG Qtrader $65pm plus $0.25 per contract monthly cap $625. They also have CQG trader $50pm plus $0.25 per contact monthly cap $420. CTS another option with $500 monthly cap.
One reason I was considering QTrader is because it had charts. I obviously don't need fancy charting with it as I use Sierra for other chart-intensive outright trading, but for spreads I'd prefer it have the ability to chart natives and synthetics without pissing me off. I don't think CQG trader has charts. That being said, the main reason I'm considering an alternate broker and using QTrader is because I'll also have access to more sane native symbols and not having to hunt and peck around within TWS for the equivalent. For one, they don't support all the natives, for two, they charge more margin (although in fairness I consider IB's margin to be fair for my risk level), and thirdly, it's just clunky for spread trading.