is anyone trading the E-micro futures?

[chrisbliss]

I recently got my eyes open for E-micro futures,
I wonder if anyone here is trading them?
I don't know much about futures,
how are they compared to spot fx?
what I understand they are traded in a secure
regulated exchange CME,
I think that sounds very interesting,
I read some old post about
them having low trading volume, liquidity,
but the posts where from when they where first introduced
in 2009 I think?
how are they these days? what more,
broker suggestions.who got the lowest commisions,
best softwares etc etc,
are there any europen brokers offering them?
which broker would be most interesting to use trading E-micros?
whats your experience.
thanks for your inputs.

 

[forker]

Very thin liquidity with this instrument offered by the CME. Rather trade spot with an ECN.

 

[chrisbliss]

how about S&P 500 E-micros? I read they are quite liquid?

 

[pboyles]

how about S&P 500 E-micros? I read they are quite liquid?

I think you mean the e micro S&P Nifty futures, there isn't a micro S&P500. Volume is almost non existent compared to the e minis.

E-micro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.cmegroup.com/daily_bulletin/preliminary_voi/VOIREPORT.pdf

 

[chrisbliss]

E-minis are a larger right? comparable to 1 lot in fx?
I don't do much volume Im just a small trader,
I think liquidity is a good thing tho,
but is it really that bad you couldn't find a buyer if you wanted out?
if not forex and not E-micros,
then what to trade?
suggestions?
Im really sick of fx bucketshops,
I wan't to get out from the spot fx and try something better
in a more secure regulated market.
thats why I thought of the E-micros,
being small and should be a good entry for a small
trader such as my self.

 

[pboyles]

Trade the e minis, mini Dow is $5 a point. None of the micro contracts have any liquidity, you'd get slippage I'd guess so either trade e minis or forget about it. If you don't have enough money then stop and save some more. You'll never get anywhere trying to start with $500.

 

[chrisbliss]

yeah I have a little more than 500,
I could probably start with 5000,
whats the cheapest broker to use for e-minis?
I had a look on Velocity futures,
they are tempting with a free X-trader,
not sure about their comissions and leverage,

 

[pboyles]

Velocity, Global there are quite a few. Forget about what leverage they offer, it's all too much. Start on one contract only. Commissions are somewhat negotiable, also look at the Eurostoxx and Bund futures, very liquid and even lower commissions.

 

[chrisbliss]

Thanks for the advise, I really appreciate it

 

[maxima]

isnt there like 3-4 tick spread? whats the point?

 

[chrisbliss]

the point is to 99.9% you would be trading in a fair regulated exchange
without some bucket sabotaging your trades all the time.
maybe it could be worth the 3-4 ticks to know nobody is messing with your trades?
I am really tired of bucketshops behaviour.
I got this idea futures could be better.
but still not sure,
I can see the liquidity problem,
I guess I won't know until I try

 

[pboyles]

Futures are better but you need to go with the contracts with high liquidity.

 

[chrisbliss]

Futures are better but you need to go with the contracts with high liquidity.

How much trading capital would you recommend to start trading the E-mini futures?
which contracts do you recommend?

 

[pboyles]

$5000 and then only trade 1 contract. Even this is pushing it.

 

[maxima]

the point is to 99.9% you would be trading in a fair regulated exchange

i do just that dont worry. but thanks

 

[chrisbliss]

which broker do you use? probably out of my league?
I don't have enough cash to play with the big boys just yet

 

[pboyles]

Look at Global, Velocity, AMP, or google for others. Theres not a massive difference between them.

 

[maxima]

amp? r u serious?

OP. e-mini fx has better liquidity and spread. try that but really if you dont have 5k for starters I'd stay with some known name in FX like fxcm or ducascopy until your balance shows you can trade. not what you think you can trade and only slutty broker is taking your profits...

 

[pboyles]

amp? r u serious?

Never used them myself, why whats wrong with them?

 

[chrisbliss]

Thanks!
Velocity is the one I have been looking at mostly,
I like the free X-Trader, beside that don't know much about them
but I guess cheeper commision is the first thing I should look for,
I don't like the idea of paying a monthly fee for just using a platform,
Im going to check Global futures to and AMP and also Optimus futures
and Eurostoxx and Bund futures
which one are you guys using?