• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Daniels Trading

Independent. Objective. Reliable.

Top Navigation

  • Open a Futures Account
  • Sign Up
  • Log in
  • 1.800.800.3840

Primary Navigation Menu

  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Services
    • Careers
    • Risk Disclosure
    • COVID-19
  • Trade
    • Broker-Assisted
    • Self-Directed / Online
    • Request Pricing
  • Hedge
    • DanielsAg Mobile App
    • Ag Marketing Plan
    • WASDE Analysis
    • Grain Resources
    • Livestock / Dairy Resources
    • Hedging Videos
    • Request Pricing
  • Invest
    • Automated Strategies
    • Managed Futures
    • Request Pricing
  • Advisories
    • GENERAL / FUNDAMENTAL
      • DT Newsletter
      • Insider Market Advisory
      • Turner’s Take Newsletter & Podcast
    • TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
      • The Cullen Outlook
      • Data Feed Trade
      • Jarboe Trading Journal
      • Trade Spotlight
    • AG MARKETING
      • Cattleman’s Advisory
      • The Swine Times
      • Technical Ag Knowledge
      • This Week in Grain
      • Turner’s Take Ag Marketing
    • THIRD-PARTY RESOURCES
      • CFRN
      • Moore Research Center, Inc. (MRCI)
      • OptionWorks®
      • TASMarketProfile.com
  • Education
    • CME Group Resource Center
    • Small Exchange Resources
    • Guides
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Order Entry Handbook
    • Webinars
  • Blog
    • Futures 101
    • Ag Marketing
    • Tips & Strategies
    • Trading Advisories
  • Resources
    • Trading Software
    • Quotes and Charts
    • Futures Calendars
    • Contract Specifications
    • Margin Requirements
    • Futures Calculator
  • Accounts
    • GAIN Capital Futures
    • StoneX
  • Contact
 

How Futures Trading Brokers Can Help Your Performance

March 26, 2019 by Daniels Trading| Tips & Strategies

To prosper in the futures marketplace, a trader must possess a few things to make success a real possibility. Having a viable strategy, adequate risk capital, and mental toughness are the trader’s responsibility. However, providing market access and expert guidance are duties that fall to futures trading brokers. If a trader lacks either of these two broker inputs, sustaining profitability in the futures markets can be an epic challenge.

Although available resources and personal levels of dedication vary from trader to trader, the role of a strong brokerage firm remains constant. If a broker is competent in the following areas, a trader’s performance is likely to improve:

  • Core services
  • Professionalism
  • Expertise

In a perfect world, all futures trading brokers would provide the same quality services. Unfortunately, this is not the case. An inadequate broker can be a drag on profitability in a variety of ways — some obvious, some obscure. Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of the trader to secure the services of the most suitable broker for the job.

Core Services

Whether you’re a large-cap institutional investor or a market newbie, the core functions of all futures trading brokers are essentially the same. However, the manner in which the following services are provided can have a dramatic impact on your bottom line:

  • Access: Accessing the market via an unfettered data flow is essential to efficient trading. Undue latencies cost money!
  • Technology: In the modern marketplace, the broker must operate within a sound technological infrastructure. This includes the support or provision of robust trading software.
  • Trade execution: Order routing and hosting are two elements that directly impact trade execution. A good broker furnishes clients with streamlined order routing and server-side order hosting.

In many ways, your broker is your avenue to the marketplace. If market access, technology, or trade execution services aren’t first-rate, odds are that your performance will suffer. To give yourself the best possible chance at success, your broker must be on the competitive lead lap.

Read our e-book Don’t Lose Money: Common Mistakes to Avoid as You Learn New Trading Skills and avoid the common mistakes new futures traders make>>

Professionalism

Although most futures trading brokers appear legitimate, it takes more than an online presence or a fancy brick-and-mortar headquarters to make a broker worthy of your business. Aside from the trade-related essentials, brokers must excel in two areas:

  • Competency: Being able to consistently execute the core trade-related essentials is a key aspect of competency. Brokers who have a solid track record of reliability are more likely to provide quality service.
  • Reputability: A broker needs to have a positive reputation and be in good standing with all regulatory authorities. If outstanding judgments or pending litigation surround a firm, the risk of loss due to default or fraud increases exponentially.

Securing the services of a competent, reputable firm is a must. Fortunately, through a little due diligence, ensuring that a broker is ethical and in legal good-standing is a task easily accomplished.

Expertise

Whether you trade futures or options, having access to a veteran of the markets can be an valuable asset. There’s no substitute for understanding the “hows” and “whys” behind a seemingly random event. When you find yourself face-to-face with the unexpected, it never hurts to consult with an experienced professional.

Many futures trading brokers offer guidance, analysis, and advice free of charge. In the event that your performance lags expectations, a broker can help address any problems in the following ways:

  • Strategic advice: There is truly nothing new under the sun. If you’re having trouble in the markets, chances are that your issues are not unique. An experienced market professional can give insight into how to modify your strategy for success.
  • Analysis: Having a comprehensive understanding of the futures marketplace is a full-time job. The technicals and fundamentals of each specific product are unique. A savvy broker understands the underpinnings of the futures markets and how they may be affecting your performance.

Sometimes a minor change can make all of the difference in the world. Troubleshooting subpar performance is one area where a strong broker can help eliminate unforced errors and boost profitability.

Futures Trading Brokers Are Not “One Size Fits All”

The futures markets offer opportunity at the cost of certainty. A broker should be a concrete pillar in trader’s approach to the markets. For more information on how a strong futures broker can help you achieve your financial goals, schedule a free consultation with a member of the team at Daniels Trading today.

Ready to think like a technical trader? Download our free guide to learn how to identify chart formations and take action when the time is right.

Filed Under: Tips & Strategies

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is an independent futures brokerage firm located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading is built on a culture of trust committed to the firm’s mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

Subscribe To The Blog

Footer

Site Navigation

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About Us
  • Customer Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Futures Blog
  • Open a Futures Trading Account
  • Media Resources
  • Fund Your Account
  • Legal Notices

Contact Us

Daniels Trading
100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1225
Chicago, IL 60606
+1.312.706.7600 Local / Int'l
+1.800.800.3840 Toll-Free
+1.312.706.7605 Fax

Connect with Us

Trustpilot

Copyright © 2021 · Daniels Trading. All rights reserved.

Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

  • Risk Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Residents Privacy Notice
  • Terms of Use
  • Back to top