The modern futures markets are innovation-driven, ever-evolving atmospheres. Business is conducted almost exclusively in cyberspace, courtesy of remote internet connectivity and advanced information systems. Make no mistake―if you are going to enter these environments, your futures trading software must be up to the task.
At Daniels Trading, we understand the value of a robust, all-in-one trading platform. That’s why we proudly offer traders our flagship platform, dt Pro. In this article, we will take a look at four powerful and not-so-common features included in this cutting-edge software suite.
1. Direct Market Access (DMA)
In the contemporary marketplace, speed is everything. That is where direct market access (DMA) comes in―it is the ultimate in connectivity.
DMA is an unfettered connection between the trader and exchange. Under DMA, there are no intermediaries; data is transferred between the trader and exchange free of any stops or obstacles. Without any brokerage or futures trading software servers intervening, trade-related latencies are reduced multifold.
Many platforms claim to offer DMA, but a large number fail to deliver. Dt Pro furnishes the trader with true DMA to the world’s leading exchanges. The CME, CBOT, Eurex, NYMEX, and ICE are all included.
2. Server-Side Hosting
Whereas market orders are executed immediately at the best available price, limit and stop orders rest at market. Have you ever wondered where your limit and stop orders are being held before they are executed? The answer to this question depends upon how your orders are being routed. Typically, orders are routed two ways: broker-side and server-side.
Broker-side order routing means that all orders go from the client’s futures trading software through brokerage servers before reaching the exchange. In addition, limit and stop orders are held on broker servers until market price reaches the designated levels. When the price points are hit, orders are sent to the exchange to be filled.
In contrast, server-side order hosting ensures that client orders actually reside on exchange servers. Server-side hosting greatly reduces the unforeseen cost of slippage on market entry and exit. Like DMA, server-side hosting available on dt Pro reduces trade-related latencies exponentially.
3. Advanced/Custom Indicators
To be successful, any trader must be able to discern market state and spot opportunities. In the case of market technicians, placing developing price action into a manageable context is the name of the game. This task may be accomplished by implementing a myriad of strategies, from simple to complex.
Fortunately for technical traders, dt Pro’s Technical Analysis Library (TA-Lib) makes any study possible. Featuring 150 tried-and-true indicators, such as MACD, RSI, and Bollinger Bands, TA-Lib is a comprehensive analytics suite designed for active traders. For traders who want to build or customize indicators, dt Pro is equipped with programming-free options and is compatible with TradeStation’s EasyLanguage.
4. Market Replay
As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” Unfortunately for active futures traders, getting valuable repetitions in live market conditions can be a challenge. Often, the markets move too fast in real time for participants to glean important data. That is where dt Pro’s Market Replay feature can help.
Market Replay gives traders the ability to rewind past price action and review it at their leisure. With Market Replay, you can study historic price action in any context, observe previously executed trades as they unfold, and recap periods of high volatility. Like a football coach watching game film, traders can use dt Pro’s Market Replay to get the most from the day’s action.
Is Your Futures Trading Software up to Par?
If your futures trading software doesn’t support the four features outlined above, then it may be time to look elsewhere. And dt Pro isn’t a bad place to start. To sign up for your free 14-day trial, check out the dt Pro portal at Daniels Trading today.
