to all index traders

But for beginners starting to trade the margin requirements are very scary

 

Unless your trading capital is ~$140,000+, there is no comparison to be made on any parameter.

 

I am in the UK so lucky enough to be able to spreadbet the indices.

 

what do u mean spread bet?

 

Futures are preferable.

ETFs could be useful during a volatility spike if you have a small account.

Lets say the ES starts having a 100 handle daily range for a while.

You might want to trade 100 lots of SPY instead of one lot of ES in that kind of scenario.

 

Hello met1989,

I prefer trading Crude Oil Futures from 8am to 12pm

 

What was the question?

 

I prefer the NQ and ES. And I say $10,000 to trade 1 contract, risking max $200 per trade. Trading USA regular market hours.
Good trading to you.

 

I think your question is

Index ETF or futures better?


My choice is Index futures. why ?

- volume much higher

- higher leverage. I don't have to put in so much money in my trading account.
also I can trade greater quantity, hence greater profit ( or greater loss for some people )

- in general, greater trading hours

 

See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spread_betting#Financial_spread_betting

For whatever reasons, it isn't authorised in many countries. Despite the name, it is hardly different from trading using other means of market exposure, though at least in the UK, spreadbetting profits have zero tax implications.