Benefits of E-mini Trading | RJO Futures (2024)

What is E-mini Trading?

E-mini, which stands for electronic mini, is an electronicallytraded futures contract that offer a fraction of the value and price of acorresponding futures contract. E-mini contracts are traded and offered widelyon the CME for a number of different assets, but the E-mini S&P 500contract is by far and away the most popular. The E-mini S&P 500 futurescontract is 1/5 the size of the full S&P 500 futures contract and is one ofthe most popularly traded contracts in the world.

How Do E-mini S&P 500 Futures Work?

Like any futures contract, an E-mini S&P 500 futures contract is an agreement in which a buyer agrees to buy and sell a contract on the S&P 500 index for a specific price in the future. E-mini S&P 500 futures contracts are different from other futures contracts because you aren’t dealing with a physical commodity, instead you are speculating on the future value of the S&P 500 index, which is an index that tracks the stock prices of 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The E-mini S&P 500 futures contract mirrors the S&P 500 index and can be used as a pre cursor to determine price action of the S&P 500.

How Much Does an E-mini S&P 500 Futures Contract Cost?

As with all futures contracts, the actual price of an E-mini S&P 500 futures contract changes everyday by the second. However, the size and mechanics of the contract do not. The price of an e-mini S&P 500 futures contract is $50 x the price of the S&P 500. So for example, if the S&P 500 is valued at $4,100, then the cost or value of an E-mini contract will be $205,000 (50 x $4,100) with each tick representing $12.50. This contrasts with the full S&P 500 future contract which values at $250 x the price of the S&P 500, which is often too expensive and risky for many investors and draws them towards the E-mini contract.

What are the Benefits of Trading E-mini Contracts?

The largest benefit to trading the E-mini S&P 500futures contract is that its an easily accessible and lower-risk way to own apiece of the most popularly traded index in the world. The reduced size of theE-mini S&P 500 futures contract allows accessibility to most traders, whilealso maintaining a good amount of leverage, which is one of the largestbenefits to futures trading. Essentially, the E-mini contract is the best ofboth worlds.

Another benefit to trading the E-mini S&P 500 is itoffers greater capital efficiency compared to other options like ETFs. If thefull value of the E-mini S&P contract is $205,000, the trader is onlyrequired to put up 4.7% total cash value, which would equate to $9,635 percontract. In essence, an E-mini trader is controlling over 200k worth of theS&P 500 for an initial margin just shy of 10k, providing them withefficiency and leverage that an ETF cannot.

How Can I Trade the E-mini?

E-mini contracts are available to be traded 23.5 hours a dayon the CME through the Globex trading platform. There are various differentE-mini contracts aside from the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract. Werecommend speaking to a Senior Market Strategistbefore trading to determine the best E-mini contract for you.

How Many E-mini Contracts Can I Trade?

Theoretically, you can trade as many E-mini contracts asyour account balance allows you. Because E-mini contracts are traded on margin($500/contract) you can trade more contracts with less money. For example, ifyou have $3,500 in your account, you could technically trade 7 contracts ($500x 7 =$3500). However, we would advise against that because you would beexposing yourself to an immense amount of risk.

How RJO Futures Can Help You Invest in E-mini

There are numerous ways RJO Futures is here to help youinvest in an E-mini contract. One way to would be to reach out to one of our skilledSenior MarketStrategists to help coach you along the way and fine the right E-minicontract for you. We also offer numerous pieces of educational content such asour which will help get you ready to invest inthe E-mini S&P 500.

Benefits of E-mini Trading | RJO Futures (2024)

FAQs

Benefits of E-mini Trading | RJO Futures? ›

With E-mini S&P 500 futures you can trade nearly 24 hours a day during the trading week and take advantage of potential trading opportunities regardless of market direction. E-mini S&P 500 futures also provide the ability to trade with greater leverage and can allow a more efficient use of trading capital.

What are the advantages to trading the S&P 500 E-mini futures? ›

With E-mini S&P 500 futures you can trade nearly 24 hours a day during the trading week and take advantage of potential trading opportunities regardless of market direction. E-mini S&P 500 futures also provide the ability to trade with greater leverage and can allow a more efficient use of trading capital.

Can you make money trading E-mini futures? ›

Not accounting for commissions and slippage, these strategic frameworks show that it is theoretically possible to make a living trading E-mini futures. Given a solid success rate and positive risk versus reward scenario, long-run profitability is attainable.

How much is 1 E-mini contract worth? ›

The E-mini moves in 0.25-point increments, and each one of those increments equates to $12.50 on one contract.

What is the difference between futures and E-mini futures? ›

It is also referred to as e-mini because it is a part or a fraction of the total value of an underlying standard futures contract, hence the name e-“mini.” Hence, when a standard futures contract is broken down into various smaller parts, the fractional values of the total value of a standard futures contract is an e- ...

How much money do you need to trade mini futures? ›

There is no legal minimum on what balance you must maintain to day trade futures, although you must have enough in the account to cover all day trading margins and fluctuations which result from your positions. These can vary by broker however some require as little as $500 to open an account.

How many E-mini contracts can I trade? ›

How Many E-mini Contracts Can I Trade? Theoretically, you can trade as many E-mini contracts as your account balance allows you. Because E-mini contracts are traded on margin ($500/contract) you can trade more contracts with less money.

Can you make a living off trading futures? ›

Trading futures for a living is a compelling idea — but to do it successfully, you'll need sufficient startup capital and a well-designed trading plan. You'll also need a trading platform that offers fast, reliable access and the right technological tools.

What is the commission on E-mini futures? ›

Trading with the Free Account Plan has an associated commission rate of $0.35 per contract, per side for the Micro-Emini Futures. Please review the all-in-rates table for a breakdown of total fees per product for each Tradovate Account Plan.

Can you trade futures without 25k? ›

A pattern day trader who executes four or more round turns in a single security within a week is required to maintain a minimum equity of $25,000 in their brokerage account. But a futures trader is not required to meet this minimum account size.

What are the margin requirements for E-mini? ›

Margins. The initial margin requirement on E-mini S&P 500 futures contracts is $5,060 with a maintenance margin of $4,600. The overnight initial minimum is another thing to take into consideration when trading E-minis. This is the amount of money needed to hold your position in the market after close.

Can you lose more than you invest in futures? ›

On-screen text: Disclosure: Futures trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors, and you can experience a significant loss of funds, or you may lose more than the funds you invested.

What is the difference between the S&P 500 and the E-mini? ›

For example, where the regular E-mini S&P 500 futures contract represents $50 times the price of the S&P 500 Index, the Micro E-mini S&P 500 represents $5 times the price of the S&P 500 Index.

What happens when an E-mini futures contract expires? ›

Cash Settlement

Many financial futures contracts, such as the popular E-mini contracts, are cash settled upon expiration. This means on the last day of trading, the value of the contract is marked to market and the trader's account is debited or credited depending on whether there is a profit or loss.

Is trading futures easier than stocks? ›

It's easy to get started with your futures trading account! Futures trading generally has a lower initial account opening capital requirement than stock trading. With stocks, there are day trading rules that require a trader to maintain minimum account balance of $25,000 which can be a high bar for new traders.

How do E-mini S&P 500 futures work? ›

S&P 500 futures, either E-mini or micro E-mini futures, allow investors to hedge or speculate on the future movement of the S&P 500 Index. These futures contracts allow for immediate investment in the S&P 500 index with the benefits of a regulated exchange and liquidity.

What is E-mini S&P 500 futures? ›

Futures and Options

Capitalize on the around-the-clock liquidity of E-mini S&P 500 futures (ES), one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to gain market exposure to the S&P 500 Index, a key indicator of the stock market's health. With ES futures, you can take positions on S&P 500 performance electronically.

What is the difference between the S&P 500 and the E-mini S&P 500? ›

The contract size for futures refers to the value of the contract based on the price of the underlying futures contract times a contract-specific multiplier. The contract-specific multiplier of the E-mini S&P 500 is $50. Therefore, to get the contract size, it needs to be multiplied by the S&P 500 Index price.

How much is a micro E-mini S&P 500 contract worth? ›

Micro E-mini futures contract specifications. S&P 500 futures: 0.25, worth $1.25 per contract.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 5318

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.