E-Mini S&P 500 (USD) Trading

[karun.krishna]

Hi T2W,

I would like to get your insight on trading the ES Future.

What is the difference between Full Margin an Day Margin?

For example, my brokerage offers the following for ES.

• Full Margin: $5,000
• Day Margin: $400

What does that imply? What time is considered Day Hours and After Hours for ES?

Thanks,
K

 

[gc1]

Each "day" starts at 3:30pm Chicago time and ends at 3:15pm Chicago time the next day, so the overnight session is first, followed by the day or regular trading hours session (when the pit for the SP contract is trading). Any position you don't close out by 3:15pm CST needs the full margin.

 

[karun.krishna]

Thanks gc1,

1. So regardless if I trade during overnight session or regular trading hours, as long as I close the position within the "day" I open the position - I will be trading on the Day Margin ($400)

2. What happens if I have an open position when the contract rolls over? Will I be required to deliver anything? Or is it best practise to stop trading before 8:30a (CT) - 3rd Friday of the Contract Month?

Thanks,
K

 

[new_trader]

1) Actually, I think the day margin applies to CASH market hours - 08:30 - 15:15 Chicago time. Overnight would be considered 15:30 - 08:30

2) There is no delivery on the ES, it is cash settled.

 

[gc1]

The CME web site has useful info on trading hours and contract specs etc.

E-mini S&P 500
Introduction to CME Globex
Risk Management

 

[new_trader]

The CME web site has useful info on trading hours and contract specs etc.

E-mini S&P 500
Introduction to CME Globex
Risk Management

It is all good info, but generally the reduced day trading margins are at the broker's discretion. Mine is $500- whereas the OP's is $400- so I would say the times they apply vary as well. I have searched the CME group website and cannot find anything about day trading margins, only initial and maintenance.

 

[gc1]

Yes, I agree, day trade margins are a broker concept only so it is probably best for the OP to ask the broker for their policy.

 

[karun.krishna]

Thanks guys,

1. I do use the CME Group website, wasn't sure what to consider day/overnight. I will contact my broker regarding Open Hours...
2. I am interested in using COT Reports when opening positions. Is there a good source for ES COT report? and an indicator I can follow?

Thanks,
K

 

[karun.krishna]

In addition to collecting data for COT Report, asked above

3. Does anyone know where I can get data for ES hourly or daily range (Open, High, Low and Close). I would like to export this to an excel document so that I can map the daily and weekly fluctuation for my studies. I've checked the CME website, but could not find an feature where I can export the chart data to an excel/csv. I will be using NinjaTrader with CQG Feed, do they offer some feature like that?

 

[professionalrussian]

Hi T2W,

I would like to get your insight on trading the ES Future.

What is the difference between Full Margin an Day Margin?

For example, my brokerage offers the following for ES.

• Full Margin: $5,000
• Day Margin: $400

What does that imply? What time is considered Day Hours and After Hours for ES?

Thanks,
K

If you're interested in trading ES then check out my mates blog that he's just starting. He mainly trades ES so you might find it useful http://value-trader.blogspot.com/

 

[LuKOs.ro]

In addition to collecting data for COT Report, asked above

3. Does anyone know where I can get data for ES hourly or daily range (Open, High, Low and Close). I would like to export this to an excel document so that I can map the daily and weekly fluctuation for my studies. I've checked the CME website, but could not find an feature where I can export the chart data to an excel/csv. I will be using NinjaTrader with CQG Feed, do they offer some feature like that?

Do you by any chance have access to a Reuters Datastream terminal ? That would massively ease your job.

 

[karun.krishna]

If you're interested in trading ES then check out my mates blog that he's just starting. He mainly trades ES so you might find it useful Value Trader

Hey, thanks for this like mate...good link and considering they have only started the blog recently...I'm not swamped with too much content all at once. I'm going to follow this blog actually, I like their tone.

Question, are you familiar with the trading software you friend is using? I really like the visual data being represented.