What is a Futures Contract?
A futures contract, also known as a “future”, is an agreement to buy or sell an asset or security for a set price at a set date in the future. Futures allow traders to keep a finger on the pulse of various markets and potentially profit from making accurate estimations of how much an asset will be worth in the future.
With a lower initial investment to trade similar markets on Wall Street, futures can be a good fit for traders that want to trade in and out of positions intraday.
Trade Global Markets with Futures Contracts
Futures trading encompasses a wide range of globally traded products that allow traders at all levels to speculate on the price of these dynamic markets. There are many diverse futures markets to explore, including:
Index Futures Contracts
Traders of all experience levels can participate in futures due to a variety of contract sizes available which helps limit financial exposure.
Energy Futures Contracts
Access diverse and uncorrelated markets that drive the international economy including vital commodities which otherwise are difficult to trade.
Metal Futures Contracts
Access diverse and uncorrelated markets that drive the international economy including vital commodities which otherwise are difficult to trade.
Cryptocurrency Futures Contracts
Traders of all experience levels can participate in futures due to a variety of contract sizes available which helps limit financial exposure.
Trade Global Equity Markets with Stock Index Futures Contracts
Watch Daily Live Futures Trading
Join our livestreams each weekday as we prepare, analyze and trade the futures markets in real-time using charting and analysis tools.
Intro To Technical Analysis
Learn to leverage technical analysis to target futures trading opportunities and identify trends using chart types, indicators and more.
Develop The Trader In You
Get started on your path to learn how to trade futures through our introductory video series outlining the first steps in your trading journey.
Trade at Reduced Costs with Micro Futures Contracts
Micro E-mini futures contracts are smaller, 1/10th size versions of the standard contracts, and offer a lower financial commitment for traders just getting started. These highly liquid instruments are available across a wide range of trading markets and can be traded for as little as $50 per contract margin when day trading.
- Trade the most active and popular futures markets
- Lower margins provide greater buying power*
- Less capital requirements for traders just getting started
- Better control and flexibility for position sizing and risk management.
Micro futures are an excellent entry point for new traders and allows more experienced traders better flexibility in trade sizing and risk management.
*Leverage also increases the risk associated with futures trading and only risk capital should be used for trading
Benefits of Trading Futures Contracts
Are you ready to trade futures contracts? Futures trading encompasses a wide range of globally traded products that allow traders at all levels to speculate on the price of these dynamic markets.
It offers a robust combination of features and benefits that you cannot find anywhere else. Benefits of trading futures include flexible trade sizing, increased leverage, and tax advantages just to name a few.
Play Daily Market Action with Event Contracts
Place predictions on the top markets and profit when you are right. Event contracts from CME Group deliver a simple way to stake your views on market price moves.
Posted daily, event contracts are available for some of the world's most popular futures markets including the S&P, Nasdaq, Dow, metals, energies and currencies.
Best Brokerage for Trading Futures
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Open a Futures Account and Become a Futures Trader Today
As your futures contract broker, NinjaTrader is here to help you every step of the way—create an account now to unlock your trading potential. Our platform, brokerage, and various support teams are standing by to ensure you make the most of your futures contract trading experience with NinjaTrader.
Frequently Asked Questions About Futures Contracts
- S&P 500 index: Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures (Symbol = MES)
- Nasdaq-100 Index: Micro E-mini Nasdaq futures (Symbol = MNQ)
- Crude oil Micro contracts (Symbol = MCL)
- Gold Micro contracts (Symbol = MGC)