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    You read a futures trading chart by reviewing the bars. A futures trading chart is a representation of historical price data; each bar in the chart is built based on a user-specified timeframe or interval. Each bar can represent one minute, one day, one week, or any timeframe of price and volume action depending on what the trader needs for their analysis. Each bar in the trading chart has four data points: the open, the high, the low, and the close of the bar. Reading a futures trading chart allows traders to derive trend direction, key support, and resistance levels to make better, more informed trading decisions.
    There are many trading charts that are useful in futures trading, one of which is a tick chart. A tick chart is useful in futures trading as it is a type of bar interval based on the number of trades that occur in a bar.

    Tick charts are a more dynamic way to build bars in a chart. When the market is active, more bars are built in the chart; when the market is less active, fewer bars are built. This allows indicators to react more dynamically to the price action than time-based bar intervals.

    To learn more about futures trading charts, tune in to our livestreams or review your customization options to make your futures trading practice more unique to you.
    With a large variety of charting software on the market, the best is one that provides you the tools to trade futures effectively. NinjaTrader’s award-winning desktop trading platform has advanced charting that allows you to customize your futures trading indicators and build trading strategies that can be tested, plus a wide range of other powerful features that can grow with a trader like you as your experience expands.
    Real-time and historical futures market data is distributed by futures exchanges and other third parties. You can connect real-time market data to your NinjaTrader account by subscribing to those exchanges for the symbols and markets you want to trade and analyze. These subscriptions also include extensive historical market data, which means you can see your charts update to follow real-time market conditions. You can get started with a free 14-day trial of live futures data through NinjaTrader by creating your free account here.
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The NinjaTrader trading platform and related educational content are offered by NinjaTrader, LLC (“NT”). NT does not offer or solicit the purchase or sale of any securities, securities derivatives, or futures products, nor does it provide investment advice, recommendations, or trading strategies. Questions related to brokerage accounts should be directed to your broker. References to third-party vendors, including their websites, products, or services, are for informational purposes only. These vendors are independent and unaffiliated with NT or its affiliates. NT and its affiliates do not approve, endorse, or assume responsibility for any third-party content. Any concerns regarding the accuracy or quality of vendor-provided materials should be addressed directly with the respective vendor. Employees and affiliates of NT are not authorized to provide assessments or opinions on third-party materials.

Brokerage services are provided by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC (“NTC”), a registered Futures Commission Merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a member of the National Futures Association (NFA ID #0309379). Trading in futures, options on futures, and foreign currency involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. You may lose more than your initial investment. Only risk capital—money that can be lost without affecting financial stability or lifestyle—should be used for trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Trading virtual currencies and Bitcoin futures involves additional risks. Before trading, review the
CFTC and NFA advisories to understand these risks.

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