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Home / Futures Blog / Market Spotlight: E-mini NASDAQ

Market Spotlight: E-mini NASDAQ

July 4, 2012 by Don DeBartolo

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The NASDAQ-100 Index represents the largest non-financial U.S. and international issues listed on The NASDAQ stock market based on market capitalization. Index holdings represent companies across major industry groups including computer hardware and software, telecommunications, retail and wholesale trade, and biotechnology. Notable stocks include Apple Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Google Inc., Intel Corporation, Amazon.com Inc., QUALCOMM Incorporated, and Kraft Foods Inc. It does not contain financial companies (including investment companies) and uses a modified capitalization methodology to provide enhanced diversification.

The NASDAQ-100 Index futures provide a way to efficiently gain exposure to the top 100 large-cap domestic and international non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ stock market. It also enables you to benefit from lower trading costs compared to trading individual stocks or Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).

The E-mini NASDAQ-100 Index futures provide a contract that is 1/5th the size of the standard contract. The most common contract symbol is NQ.
The futures contract trades solely on the CME Globex platform providing access virtually around the clock with complete price transparency, liquidity and tight bid/ask spreads. The electronic contract trades from 5:00 PM CT to 4:00 PM CT, with a trading halt from 3:15 PM CT to 3:30 PM CT, Monday through Friday.

One E-mini futures contract is $20 x the E-mini NASDAQ-100 futures price. The previous settlement price (June 29, 2012) for September 2012 E-mini NASDAQ-100 futures was 2609.75 or $52,195 per contract.

The futures contract price quotation is $5.00 per .25 index points. The previous settlement price (June 29, 2012) reads as 2609.75, or twenty-six zero nine and three quarters. The next price movement after 2609.75 upward is 2610.00, followed by 2610.25. Therefore, a one move, from 2610.00 to 2611.00, is $20.

The performance bond or initial margin requirement to initiate one futures contract position is $4,840 (as of November 11, 2015). To control that futures position going forward the maintenance margin becomes $4,400 (as of November 11, 2015).

The Daily Price limits are designed to coordinate with circuit breakers provisions as applied by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). 7%, 13%, and 20% price limits are applied to the futures fixing price and are effective from 8:30 AM CT to 3:00 PM CT, Mondays through Fridays. 5% up-and-down limits are effective 5:00 PM CT to 8:30 AM CT, Sundays through Fridays; and 3:00 PM CT to 4:00 PM CT, Mondays through Fridays. Between 3:00 PM CT to 4:00 PM CT, the 5% price limit will not be allowed to breech the 20% daily limit.

The E-mini futures contract month listings are March (H), June (M), September (U), and December (Z).

The E-mini futures contract’s Last Trading Day (LTD) is the 3rd Friday of the contract month, allowed to 8:30 AM CT. The September 2012 E-mini NASDAQ futures contract LTD is September 21, 2012 for example. The daily settlement, following the CME Group daily settlement procedures, of the E-mini NASDAQ-100 futures is equal to the daily settlement price of the NASDAQ-100 futures.

Be aware of major financial reports if trading the stock index futures as they will potentially affect prices. For example, typically the first Friday of every month the unemployment numbers are released at 7:30 AM CT.

Visit our Markets section for additional contract specifications and market information regarding the E-mini NASDAQ futures market.

*Source cmegroup.com

Risk Disclosure

THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING COMMODITY FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL. THERE IS A HIGH DEGREE OF LEVERAGE IN FUTURES TRADING BECAUSE OF SMALL MARGIN REQUIREMENTS. THIS LEVERAGE CAN WORK AGAINST YOU AS WELL AS FOR YOU AND CAN LEAD TO LARGE LOSSES AS WELL AS LARGE GAINS.

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

Filed Under: Trade Spotlight

About Don DeBartolo

Don C. DeBartolo is a Series 3 licensed broker registered with the National Futures Association (NFA). As a former arbitrage clerk in the S&P 500 futures pit at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), Don has floor trading experience. Taking his trade execution expertise and ability to navigate a fast-paced environment, Don transitioned to the brokerage side of the business. Since 2005, he has worked at Daniels Trading, a brokerage firm in the heart of the financial district in Chicago. His responsibilities as a broker include providing market analysis, trade execution, and money management to his clients around the world. In March 2010, he developed a formal trade advisory for clients of the firm seeking specific trade recommendations and subsequent risk management.

Due to his widespread proficiency and experience with the futures and commodity options markets, he is able to offer his clients timely insight, specialized trade recommendations, and educational information through various videos and writings.

Studying at Loyola University Chicago, Don discovered the international sport of rugby. Still today, he plays for the Chicago Griffins, a member of the highest league of rugby competition in the United States. Skill and discipline are two traits that carry over from the pitch to the trading screens.

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Risk Disclosure

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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