Today’s futures traders face a variety of trading platforms that could accommodate the most sophisticated and astute day trader all the way to a beginner day trader. Never the less, it is quite a challenge to choose a platform that is appropriate for you. Why? Sometimes programmer and interface designers try make educated guesses as to what traders look for, so there are platforms that are just purely “hard” as far as their functionality, yet at the same times, there are those who hit the mark and created an interface that is easy to use and the navigation on it is quite intuitive.

There are things that should be important to all traders, such as: Stability of platforms, execution time, and stable data feed, and above all good support from the tech support desk.  But, it is also important that you choose a platform that meets your needs as a trader: day, swing or long term trader.

Also, choose an interface that you feel comfortable with and above all meets your trader’s needs and experience. Don’t just go with one that is considered popular…go with the one that meets your needs. Having more bells and whistles does not mean “better trader” or “profitable trading”….go slow…you can always switch from one to another.

The following are platforms that we use at Optimus Trading Group, and we have listed them so you can choose the ones that are appropriate for you.  There are plenty more platforms out there, but we feel that within these you would be able to find what you are looking for.

The following link shows a complete charts review of Futures Trading Platforms

There is a substantial risk of loss in futures trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Futures Trading Platforms Comparison is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

Here are fair and objective criteria you should look at before open a Managed Futures account:

GET YOUR MANAGED FUTURES PACKAGE TODAY. CLICK HERE!

First, you should know that each managed program has to have a disclosure document. Many of the details that you seek should be found there.  Let’s start.

• What is the experience of the Commodity Trading Advisor? What we recommend looking for is some sort of mathematical and or technical trading experience.  Business and education business is important, along with finance, brokerage, etc. But, we feel that the technical background could potentially lay the foundations for a successful managed futures program.  Many brokers turn CTAs can’t stomach volatility once they have to make the decision by themselves and at times can repeat the same mistakes that amateurs do.
• What kind of strategy does the commodity trading advisor exercise? This is probably what you should look more that the actual returns.  Why? Managed that show high and abnormal return, could potentially also exercise risk (or very risky) futures trading strategies that might not fit your risk tolerance. Keep in mind, your goal in diversifying into managed futures is also to be in a place where your manager’s goal and your comfort level meet.   Again, your appetite for risk should dictate what program you choose.  You can start from trend following all the way to options selling strategies through day trading programs.  You have many options and you should explore them.
• What are the commissions and frequency of trading? Obviously commissions could affect tremendously the performance of your account.  You could so easy math how much the commissions could potentially erode your account and compare it to the potential return that the managed future might offer.
• How many assets under management (AUM)? It is very important to remember that you need to see under how much capital the performance was achieved.  If the capital was substantial than it indicates that that the manager could potentially exercise his methodology under many assets.  Many commodity trading advisors show high performance under small assets while they show decreasing returns while their assets have increased.
• What were the drawdowns? Every given methodology goes through drawdowns, you need to see what has been the biggest drop in equity and how long it to recover from it.  This is also should be part you’re your risk tolerance decision.

Naturally, returns are also important, but we assume that you wont look at anything that is negative.  The variables above will help you judge if any specific managed futures P program is for you.

GET YOUR MANAGED FUTURES PACKAGE TODAY. CLICK HERE!

Managed Futures – how to select a Commodity Trading Advisor? is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

At some point every traders asks himself whether he should keep on trading by himself, attempting to improve his own methodology or perhaps consider whether he should  outsource a service to enhance his/her return.

Although the trader can use a number of services from email trade recommendations, real time indicators and/or a combination of a few, we would like to specifically compare the difference between automated futures trading strategies versus self directed trading.

First, if you are a winner in trading, and you are able to win consistently over long periods of time, there is no reason for you to seek another trading method. Maybe you can change platforms, maybe “fight” for cheaper commissions, but it’s not worth experimenting with other methodologies. Naturally, if you have additional risk capital, you can try and diversify, but end it on that.

• Automated trading strategies typically do not change the number of lots when traded. This is a very good thing when it comes to trading, as most self directed traders change the number of lots according to their success and failure.  Hence, increasing their risk substantially when they do well, yet trade less during drawdowns, when it’s a natural course of things.  This affects performance substantially.
• The cost of commissions could be substantial less because of two factors: as mentioned above, the number of lots increases and decreases constantly which adds a substantial cost of transaction.  Although the commissions on self directed could substantially less that automated trading services, from our observation automated trading still reduced the cost of transactions. Naturally, you should be checking the frequency of any system you are presented with.
• Slippage. Although this is the “cost” that most traders accept with trading, it’s substantially more prevalent in self directed trading.  Because of the reason mentioned above, frequent trading and large lots, the cost of slippage is enormous.  Just to keep you in perspective, the slippage could be substantially more than any commissions.

These are some of the facts considering when it comes to comparing the two services.  There are no ways to guarantee success, but there are substantial ways to decrease risk and transaction cost. Consider Automated trading strategies if you lack the time, disciple or both when it comes to yourself-directed accounts.

Compare Cost: Self Directed Trading Futures Trading or Automated Trading Strategies? is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

Besides finding a good and winning methodology, there cost of commissions, platforms and quotes could be quite a burden on account as far as cost.So here are the best ways to save on execution, platform and other trading costs:

1) If you are using an analytic charting and trading tool and pay subscription for it, you might not need a platform that requires charting.  Why get futures and commodities charting twice and get charged for it?

There are many platforms that are free that don’t require fees at all.

Try Vision Express that had a great interface and easy execution order entry. Also, try Rithmic R-Trader if you are an Emini SP trader and require fast execution. This is a great platform also for those require spread trading.

Keep in mind that the exchange charges trading technology companies for the use of quotes if it’s implemented on charts.

2)      Ask “how much is a phone execution?”  There are a number of things that can happen when you trade online, you might not be by the computer, your internet might be down or the platform might be down.  Some brokers take advantage of situation like this when you have to call in. This is how they make up for the “discount” rates they offer. Ask what the call in fee is.

3) Commissions – Ask a broker specifically which platform has the cheapest commissions. Ask for a selection and decide which one is the best on considering your trading preferences.

4) Feed – Ask what is the feed and the speed of the platform. If the platform is slow, your cost would be the slippage that you pay on each transaction or unfilled orders.  Obviously, you also want to be sure you have good connectivity on your end.

How to Save on your Futures Trading? is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

Trading the Emini S&P Strategies requires a methodology to trade successfully, but there are other elements and factors that traders should not overlook. These are not elements that would help you choose a direction, but if you adhere to these rules, it would help you focus on your methodology only.

1)      Decide which time of the day you want to trade. Some traders trade during the first one hour or two of the early session. Some feel that gives them the best chance as oppose to day trading the whole entire day.  In the early morning sessions you will find there is more liquidity due to institutional flow, as oppose to the more retail flow that could dominate in the afternoon hours.

2)      Price Feed-here is what you are looking for when it comes from the exchange: unfiltered data from the exchange.

Here are 2 great platforms for it:  NinjaTrader and R-Trader Rithmic

3)      Back up broker – platforms will go down. It’s not “if”, but “when”. It’s technology, and it’s never perfect. You will need to know a broker, and or a trade desk person who can help you immediately help you. The “down” time can be because your net connection went down, or the data is down, it’s irrelevant. But, being ready and establishing a rapport with someone who can immediately tell you where you stand, is priceless.

4)      Stability – Go with a platform that is commonly used by day traders, and is commonly discussed amongst traders. You can find it on forums, discussions boards, etc. This is not a guarantee, but the more know platforms would be more accommodating for most traders from a feature and a stability stand point.

5)      Be conscious of commissions- Single dollars might not seem a lot, but it adds up pretty quickly and can have a tremendous effect on your trading results. Save! Save! Save!

Commissions should be competitive, but your level of service, frequency of trading should all be all taken into consideration. Don’t expect to negotiate unless commissions do have a tremendous effect on your trading.

6)      Study and Decide- What methodology best fits my personality? Day trader is very analytical and requires strong precision, while swing trading looks at a bigger picture as far as analysis. Also, day trading requires being “glued” to the screen a bit. Be objective about your time availability.

E-mini Day Trading Strategies – What Do Traders Overlook? is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

Before you go and click on all the ads that advertise for Emini SP Brokers, here are a few guide lines that would help you to choose one:

1)      Software Selection- Choose a broker that has multiple selections of futures trading software.  In the event one is too complex or too simplified, you can easily switch between one or the others.

We recommend using NinjaTrader Broker as a starting point because you can custom makes it to your needs and requirements. You can trade from both the DOM (Depth of Market) and/or the charts.

2)     Discount Commissions Broker – Does not matter how you slice it or dice it, it is very important that commissions will not eat into your account. A reasonable commission fee for Emini SP is in the $4.00 to $4.50 Range depending on volume and frequency of trading.

3)     Tech Support – All online platforms at some point could experience a technical malfunction. It is important that you could immediately get a hold of your broker to close or report your positions in real time.

4)     Reasonable day trading margins – it is important that you get access to reasonable day trading margins to utilize your capital correctly.  BUT, don’t utilize every single dollar in your account to over leverage.  We can have a whole discussions as to why it’s important not go with brokers that offer margins that are too low, we wrote an article about that here:  Day Trading Margins we recommend to use 1000 per contract to 2500 depending on your experience of trading.

5)     Use your intuition about the people you are about to do business with…call and speak with a broker first. He will be the guy that you will a keep a rapport with over the years….so make sure you have a common language.

How to choose an Emini SP broker? is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

What has prompted me to write this article was that last Thursday, on Thanksgiving day I was, just like the rest of you “chilling”. Yet, my twitter account, where I follow those I consider experts in their field, or at the very least, give reference to valuable information, kept on mentioning Dubai. Dubai, Dubai, Dubai….again, and again.

I saw absolutely nothing on the major TV channels; some sites mentioned Dubai and some did not. Meanwhile the S&P futures was down 25 points overnight! Most would only wake up to this fact in the morning, some would panic, and some would take advantage of the opportunity, while some would just talk about it.

I am not here to analyze Dubai’s problems, but this had an impact on me, because I am a system trading broker.  Regardless of all the risk management and precaution one can take, being aware of major news which could function as a “shock” is another tool that would help me, my trading customers and my staff, to take immediate action.

This my fellow traders, is why you should run and open a twitter account.  As long as we are on the topic, here is another great service you should consider, www.stocktwits.com, a service that tracks in real time, recommendations from futures and stock traders.  It pulls its data from Twitter in real time. Think of Stocktwits as a real time Twitter for stocks and futures traders.

Let me point out Stocktwits versus the traditional sites that traders are used to.

1)     Real Time: You see recommendations occur while the market is open. You have a chance to track those that trade your investment vehicle, see comments in real time and find exactly what is relevant to you. Over time you have the opportunity to be selective as far as who you want to follow.

2)   Free. You will be shocked to see what analysis goes into those sites and to what extent people share this information absolutely for free.  This beats all the skeptics who say Free has no quality.

3)   Experts not amateurs! people who really trade! Simply put, they don’t have an agenda to push. It’s known that traders are lonely people, So this gives the amateurs and pros a chance to interact in a friendly forum (Rare! If you have been exposed to any trading forums which can be rude towards new members).

4)   Anonymity.  Interact with others, without exposing your identity, and make yourself many cyber buddies who share the same interests.

A few other tips: If you get into stocktwits, you put the symbol; of the stock with the $ sign ahead of it. For futures, you have to do the following:

1)     Put the $ symbol

2)   Put the future symbol

3)   Put the _  (underscore) sign

4)   Put the letter F

For example, for the emini SP, you put the following: $ES_F

Here is a complete list of Futures Symbols for StockTwits and Twitter. Go give this a try!  Besides all the valuable info you will get, you will also meet guys who have a great  sense of humor, like Howard Lindzon (@howardlindzon) who is the brains behind Stocktwits(!).

Go there now and realize what Trader Power is all about.

Why Stocktwits, Twitter and real time searching matters for traders? is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

I have gathered a list of futures and commodity symbols for Twitter.  I will try to add to this list over time as Twitter would add to their list. I obviously would need your help, so on the bottom feel free under the “intense debate” section to leave me with any new symbols as they become available. from my short experimentation, you could put the symbols in capital or lower case.Adding a $ sign in front of the symbols works as well.

Also, I highly suggest to use these terms in STOCK TWITS www.stocktwits.com, rather than in twitter itself. They have a good community of traders, who collaborate via twitter or twit via stock twits directly. Some of those guys are professional traders who share great ideas.

You can trade all these futures with us at Optimus Trading Group www.optimusfutures.com

Equity Index

ES_F Emini S&P Futures Index

NQ_F NASDAQ 100 Futures Index

DJ_F Dow Jones Futures Index

YM_F Mini Dow Jones Futures Index

EMD_F –  E-mini S&P MidCap 400 Futures

TF_F –   mini Russell 2000 Futures

Metals

GC_F Gold Futures

SI_F Silver Futures

HG_F –   Copper Futures

PL_F –   Platinum Futures

AL_F –   Aluminium Futures

Energy

CL_F Crude Futures

NG_F Natural Gas Futures

Debt Instruments

ZB_F –  30 Year U.S. Treasury Bonds Futures

ZN_F –  10 Year U.S. Treasury Notes Futures

Currencies

6C_F –   CAD/USD Futures

6S_F –   CHF/USD Futures

6B_F –   GBP/USD Futures

6N_F –   NZD/USD Futures

6M_F –   MXN/USD Futures

6E_F –   EUR/USD Futures

6J_F –   JPY/USD Futures

Futures and Commodity Symbols for Twitter and StockTwits is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

managed futures video

Watch the video above about managed Futures.

Also get a full performance report : Managed Futures by Top Manager

Video:: What are Managed Futures? is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders

A customer of Vision Financial Markets had written a review about our clearing firm:
http://www.elitetrader.com/br/?action=view&R_FirmID=271

This is also our clearing firm.
if you need more info about our clearing please contact us 800 771 6748

Matt Zimberg

Vision Financial Markets Review is a post from: Futures Trading Blog for Independent Self-Directed Traders and System Traders