Trade E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures Contracts

What Are E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures?

The E-mini Nasdaq 100 is a stock market index that represents 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. While heavily weighted toward the technology sector, it also includes companies from industries such as retail, biotechnology, healthcare, and others.

Launched in 1985, the Nasdaq 100 index gained popularity in the 1990s dot-com tech bubble. As a weighted market capitalization index, larger companies included in the index have a greater effect on the price than smaller included companies. 

The data in the chart has a 10 minute delay and should be used for representation purposes only.
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Why trade E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures?

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 index futures (contract symbol = NQ) are one of the most actively traded stock indexes in the world. 

Reflecting performance for some of the most influential technology companies in the world, the larger Nasdaq 100 can be an important benchmark and measurement of the global economy. Its companies are on the cutting edge of research in many areas that benefit our lives every day. Notable stocks include Adobe, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, and Tesla. Technology stocks can often experience wide swings in prices and volatility which can provide unique opportunities for futures traders. Trading NQ 100 index futures allows you to:

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Speculate on combined price of 100 highly influential tech companies

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Trade standard or Micro E-mini contract sizes for increased trading flexibility

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React quickly to trading opportunities hours before the US stock market opens

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Hedge a stock portfolio against potential market declines

Trade Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures to reduce costs

At 1/10th the size of the standard E-mini contract, Micro E-mini futures allow traders to access the highly liquid equity index futures markets with reduced costs and margins as low as $50. Other advantages of trading these bite-sized Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures include:

  • Access to the most popular and liquid futures contracts
  • Highly leveraged markets for more buying power*
  • Start with a smaller account vs. the full-size E-mini contract
  • Increased flexibility for better position management

Micro Nasdaq E-mini futures contracts provide an ideal entry point for new futures traders to start small and scale up as you become more comfortable in the live markets. 

*Leverage also increases the risk associated with futures trading and only risk capital should be used for trading

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Who trades E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures?

E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures traders can be broken down into three main groups:

  • Commercial traders in the major market stock index futures like the Nasdaq 100 are typically trading index futures to hedge their price risk on a large portfolio of stocks. These traders are typically large banks, pension funds, mutual funds, or other institutional investors. 
  • Large professional speculators are typically speculating on the price movement of the futures contract. Typically, commercial traders and large speculators make up 80% or more of the daily trading volume in E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures.
  • Self-directed retail traders make up the remaining daily trading volume in E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures. Like large professional traders, they are typically speculating only on the price movement of the futures contract. 

What Impacts The Price Of E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures?

Although the E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures market is made up of 100 large stocks, the top 20 stocks can account for over 50% of the price action each day. This means that earnings and news events in any of these top key component stocks can have a larger disproportionate effect on the index price. These factors include:

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Macroeconomic Factors

Economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation rates, and employment data can have a significant influence on market sentiment and investor confidence. Positive economic data, such as strong GDP growth or declining unemployment rates, can drive prices for the E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures higher; negative economic data can lead to a decline in prices as investors become more cautious and risk-averse.

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Interest Rates and FED Policy

Changes in interest rates and monetary policy decisions can also impact the price of Nasdaq 100 index futures. When interest rates are low, they can stimulate borrowing and investment, which tend to boost stock prices. On the other hand, when interest rates rise, borrowing becomes more expensive, potentially reducing economic activity and causing stock prices to decline. 

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Risks of E-mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures Trading

Similar to other equity index futures contracts, the primary risk of trading E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures or Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures is that the price will go against the trader’s position. Using appropriate trade sizing for your account size and having a robust risk management plan that includes stop losses or a trailing stop can help limit your financial exposure.  

Many factors can influence the price of E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures in the short-term and long-term including changes in interest rates, economic reports, and changes in the US central bank (Fed) policy. Following key news and announcements is critical as these events can move the major stock market indexes significantly. 

As many stock indexes are highly correlated to the E-mini Nasdaq 100, it is a good idea to track the other highly active futures markets including the E-mini S&P 500 index futures, the E-mini Dow index futures, and the E-mini Russell 2000 index futures

Tips to keep in mind especially for newer futures traders include: 

  • Practice in a futures trading simulator that reflects live market conditions until you prove to yourself that you are comfortable with the market swings. Then, when you start trading with real dollars, trade small to start, and work your way up. 
  • Build a well-defined futures trading plan including clear entry and exit criteria, analysis of market conditions, and a schedule for when you are and are not going to trade. 

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures Contract Specifications

The E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures contracts are standardized exchange-traded contracts that represent the value of 100 of the largest stocks traded in the US. The value for a 1-point move in the standard contract is $20 or $2 for the 1/10 size micro contract. 

Retail traders typically buy and sell the E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures contracts to speculate if the price will go up or down. Major market index futures contracts are cash settled at expiration. You can trade the E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures on the 24-hour electronic CME Globex system.


Standard ContractMicro Contract
SymbolNQMNQ

Exchange

CME GlobexNYMEX / CME
Contract point value$20 USD
$2.00 USD
Minimum price fluctuation.25, (20 * .25 = $5.00 per contract per-minimum move)
.25, (2 * .25 = $0.50 per-contract per-minimum move)
Trading hoursSunday 6:00 p.m. ET to Friday 5:00 p.m. ET
Sunday 6:00 p.m. ET to Friday 5:00 p.m. ET
Listed contractsQuarterly: March(H), June(M), September(U), December(Z) - 9 Quarters Out and 3 Additional December Contracts
Quarterly: March(H), June(M), September(U), December(Z) - 5 Quarters Out
Expiration style3rd Friday of every listed contract month. There is not a first notice date for this contract.
3rd Friday of every listed contract month. There is not a first notice date for this contract.
First notice dateNot applicable
Not applicable
SettlementFinancially settled
Financially settled
Additional Specifications
View all from CME Group
View all from CME Group

Become a E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures trader today

Ready to start trading E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures or Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures? NinjaTrader is here to support you. With award-winning features and daily premium market commentary with industry pros, NinjaTrader equips you with the analytical tools you need—such as advanced charting and unlimited simulation trading—to embark on your trading journey.

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FAQs About E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures

Yes, you can trade E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures and also Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures with NinjaTrader. NinjaTrader is an industry-leading futures broker offering low commissions, low margin rates, and safety of your account funds. With NinjaTrader, you can trade dozens of the most actively traded futures markets in the world.
The Nasdaq 100 index is a capitalization weighted index, where each of the 100 components are weighted according to their total market capitalization. The larger the capitalization, the larger the weight in the index. For example, if the total market capitalization of all 100 stocks is $100 billion, and just one stock has a market capitalization of $10 billion, then that one stock will contribute 10% to the price movement of the index.
These and other futures are traded on a well-regulated exchange where orders are matched and cleared on a fair and level playing field with full price and order transparency. Traders can place buy and sell orders through their broker to enter or exit a position virtually 24 hours a day.
The Nasdaq 100 index is an important global economic indicator. Business activity from these 100 largely technology stocks can have a significant influence on the overall health of the US and world economies.  
The E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures offer traders direct market access for speculating on the price movement of the E-mini Nasdaq 100 stock index. This index is popular among futures traders as it is heavily weighted in technology stocks. It provides good liquidity virtually 24 hours a day, lower trading capital requirements, and like all futures, tax benefits over stock trading. Futures can also offer traders more trading opportunities and flexibility over individual stocks, options, and ETFs with their many limitations.
Like every futures contract, the primary risk here is that the price of the E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures or Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 index futures will go against the trader’s position. Economic news, earnings reports, changes in interest rates, and investor sentiment can all have a significant effect on the price of futures.
E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures trading is an agreement between a buyer and seller at a specified price in a contract that will expire on a specific date. Traders can enter and exit positions any time prior to the expiration date in financially settled futures like the E-mini Nasdaq 100 contract.
The E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures contract is a tradable Instrument representing 100 of the largest stocks non-financial stocks trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange. A one point move in the standard contract equates to $20 of profit or loss, and a one point move in the micro 1/10th size contract equates to $2 of profit or loss. Each futures contract has a unique set of contract specifications that are set by the futures exchange. 
These futures contracts are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)(Globex System). Live trading during the Globex session is available from Sunday at 6:00 PM Eastern Time until Friday 5:00 PM Eastern Time, giving traders the ability to capture unique trading opportunities while the stock market is closed. 
The standard value of a 1-point move in a standard contract is $20, with micro contracts worth $2 for a similar move.
The Nasdaq is the most active stock exchange in the United States by volume, with thousands of companies listed and a market cap valued in the trillions of dollars. E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures are based on a modified and weighted index of the 100 largest and most active domestic stocks for non-financial companies. Primarily, the Nasdaq 100 is comprised of technology, telecom, and biotechnology stocks. E-mini futures give traders the opportunity to participate in the market without necessarily needing to build a portfolio of individual stocks.
Participating in the E-mini Nasdaq market means paying close attention to various technical indicators such as moving averages, relative strength index, moving average convergence/divergence, chart patterns, and more. It’s also important to pay attention to other factors such as the gross domestic product, U.S. employment rates, and the strength of the U.S. dollar. Another thing to keep in mind is the impact of economic and political factors around the world, as these can have an effect on investors’ confidence and drive the price of these futures contracts higher or lower. These can include political instability, trade policy changes, international conflicts, and disruptions in global energy supplies. Savvy investors would do well to keep an eye on these influences while investing in E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures.