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Trading E-mini Futures for a Living

September 25, 2018 by Daniels Trading| Futures 101

Update – this post was written before the launch of CME’s newest product – the Micro E-Mini. Here’s a link to a Micro E-mini resources page.

The collection of E-mini futures products offered by the CME Group are popular among retail and institutional traders alike. Whether you’re interested in engaging the markets of metals, energies, or equities, the E-minis offer a diverse array of options. Limited margins, optimal liquidity, and consistent volatility are attractive characteristics to anyone in search of speculative opportunities.

Nonetheless, the question remains: Is trading E-mini futures for a living possible? As with most things market-related, the answer depends greatly upon whom you talk to. However, given the appropriate mindset, strategy, and guidance, the E-minis provide many opportunities for dedicated individuals to sustain a living.

Read tips and tricks compiled from the advice of experienced futures brokers in our e-book:Basic Training for Futures Traders

Aligning Resources to Goals

Before opening a brokerage account and placing a trade, a trader must align the available resources with an ultimate goal. Two vital questions need to be addressed during this process:

  • How much money do I want — or need — to make?
  • What are my capital and time resources?

The first issue that you must resolved when deciding whether trading E-mini futures for a living is feasible is to quantify exactly what constitutes a living. It’s critical to be absolutely honest when establishing what you want and expect out of the market. $200,000 per year? $50 per hour? Enough to pay the bills?

After you’ve clearly defined what an acceptable living is for you, the next step is to complete an inventory of your available resources. Again, it’s essential to be rational when allocating money and time to any trading venture. You must reasonably equate the inputs at your disposal to your final goal. For example, if you have only two hours per day to trade and $5,000 in risk capital, then making $250,000 per year is going to be a tough proposition.

You must reasonably equate inputs to the final goal. If you have only two hours per day to trade and $5,000 in risk capital, then making $250,000 per year is going to be a tough proposition.

It’s a sobering point, but the resources must be capable of producing the final objective. If not, modifying your resource-goal relationship will be mandatory to ensure the best possible chance at success.

Selecting a Product

The beauty of E-mini futures is the wide variety of trading options, strategies, and products available. From short-term intraday scalping to swing trading and longer-term investment plans, E-mini futures offer participants an opportunity to execute their preferred methodology in the marketplace.

Here are the premier E-mini markets offered on the CME:

Product Symbol Asset Class
E-mini S&P 500 ES Equities Index
E-mini NASDAQ 100 NQ Equities Index
E-mini DOW YM Equities Index
E-mini Russell 2000 RT Equities Index
E-mini Crude Oil QM Energies
E-mini Euro FX E7 Currencies

By far, the most popular E-minis targeted by traders are those based on the equities indices. Consistent liquidity and volatility make them appropriate venues for individuals interested in trading E-mini futures for a living.

Based upon your available resources and trading style, you can easily identify an ideal E-mini product. If you’re well-versed in blue-chip stocks, then the E-mini DOW may be a great fit. If you’re experienced in forex trading, then the E-mini Euro FX is a likely candidate. In either case, the reduced margin requirements and limited commissions offered by many brokers for the E-minis opens the door to a wide range of possibilities.

A Great Place to Begin Your Journey

Achieving longevity in the contemporary marketplace is an epic journey with no guarantees or safety nets. Make no mistake, the futures markets — including the E-minis — can be unforgiving.

Aligning your resources and goals with a viable approach to the markets can be a challenge. A great place to start is a free consultation with the team at Daniels Trading. With more than two-decades in the futures industry, the market professionals at Daniels Trading can offer guidance and insights to help make your goal of trading E-mini futures for a living a reality.

Micro E-Mini Comparison Guide

Filed Under: Futures 101

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is division of StoneX Financial Inc. located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading was built on a culture of trust committed to a mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

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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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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