What is the standard capital requirement to trade in the Emini S&P 500?

I BELIEVE the requirements are:


1) Start with $500K account
2) $100K per contract based on substantial SUBSTANTIAL risk trading in the futures market.


Hope this thread will help newbies and amateurs if they want to pursue trading.

And, I am looking for the best answer. Bring it up!

 

Straight from the source:

CME EQUITY INDEX SP ES E-MINI S&P 500 FUTURES
201103
Maintenance Rate: $4,500
Initial Rate: $5,625

http://www.cmegroup.com/wrappedpages/clearing/pbrates/OutrightRates.csv

So it seams like having just $10k should be enough.

 

If you have a $10k account, and risk no more than 4 points trading 1 contract, thats 2% risk per trade.

2% risk per trade is conservative enough IMO.

 

"Substantial" is not quantifiable. Anything above $65k per contract = 0-leverage. I've never seen an index trade -integer, so $65k seems pretty conservative.

 

Yeah, but he asked for the standard requirements.....

The guy is certified....

 

From a businessman point of view. Use as little capitol to secure positions as possible. Margins of $500 intraday are best.
But have full contract risk dollars available and liquid.

 

$500.00 intraday--- start with 1000.00 and trade one contract.

 

CME sets standard margin requirements.

 

100k per contract. Trade max 10 contracts, you need 1 million.

 

Maybe. not bad answer.