Our Recent Blog Post: https://optimusfutures.com/tradeblog/archives/tax-advantages-of-trading-futures-vs-stocks
Yes, there is a tax advantage. But what about the risk? The success rate of trading future vs stocks? The market place is too smart to let you have a free lunch...
You have a fair point. In Futures, you deal with leverage and margins, and it does not allow the same luxury (for most) as stocks with a long term view. But each trader has a risk tolerance, and also a comfort level of trading one asset over another. Yes, leveraged trading has a higher risk, but it does not mean that stocks as an asset class are better. Each trader could develop expertise in one asset class over another. Yet, there are those who are great stock traders who may consider the ES, and hence we wrote an article for their consideration to add to their knowledge base. Again, Futures is not for everyone regardless of tax considerations.
"... The success rate of trading future vs stocks?..." What you're really asking about is the success of trading on leverage vs not. If you have enough size, you don't have to use leverage. If your capital is ~$140K, you can trade 1 ES with its advantages and the same risk/profit profile as trading the SPY. Most investors don't equate ES vs SPY. They are virtually the same until the risks of leverage come into the equation.