In futures trading, traders can obtain lower margin requirements than other types of securities. Because of this, traders can have a greater level of leverage. The lower the margin, especially day trading margins, the higher the leverage and riskier the trade. Leverage can work for you as well as against you, it magnifies gains as well as losses. Day trade margins are also subject to change based on market conditions. The following schedule is not appropriate for all traders.
| Futures Market | Symbol | Day Trade Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Currency Futures | ||
| Australian Dollar | 6A | $500 |
| British Pound | 6B | $500 |
| Canadian Dollar | 6C | $500 |
| Euro FX | 6E | $500 |
| Japanese Yen | 6J | $500 |
| Mexican Peso | 6M | $1,000 |
| New Zealand Dollar | 6N | $1,000 |
| Swiss Franc | 6S | $500 |
| Emicro Australian Dollar | M6A | $50 |
| Emicro British Pound | M6B | $50 |
| Emicro Euro FX | M6E | $50 |
| Energy Futures | ||
| Brent Crude | BZ | $2,000 |
| Crude Crude (WTI) | CL | $2,000 |
| Heating Oil | HO | $2,000 |
| E-mini Crude Oil | QM | $1,000 |
| Gasoline | RBOB | $2,000 |
| Natural Gas | NG | $1,000 |
| Interest Rate Futures | ||
| Ultra Bonds | UB | $1,000 |
| Treasury Bonds | ZB | $1,000 |
| Treasury Notes: 10 Year | ZN | $500 |
| Treasury Notes: 5 Year | ZF | $500 |
| Bund | FGBL | €1,000 |
| Stock Index Futures | ||
| E-mini S&P | ES | $500 |
| Micro E-mini S&P | MES | $50 |
| E-mini Mid_Cap S&P | EMD | $1,000 |
| Mini NASDAQ | NQ | $1,000 |
| Micro E-mini NASDAQ | MNQ | $100 |
| Mini Dow | YM | $500 |
| Micro E-mini Dow | MYM | $50 |
| Mini Russell | RTY | $500 |
| Micro E-mini Russell | M2K | $50 |
| Dax | FDAX | €2,500 |
| Mini Dax | FDXM | €1,000 |
| EuroStoxx 50 | FESX | €1,000 |
| Nikkei 225 | NKD | $2,000 |
| Metals | ||
| Gold | GC | $2,000 |
| Silver | SI | $2,500 |
| Copper | HG | $1,000 |
| Platinum | PL | $2,000 |
| E-micro Gold Futures | MGC | $200 |
| Commodity Futures | ||
| Feeder Cattle | GF | $2,475 |
| Lean Hogs | HE | $1,000 |
| Live Cattle | LE | $1,000 |
| Corn | ZC | $1,000 |
| Soy Bean Oil | ZL | $1,000 |
| Soy Meal | ZM | $1,000 |
| Soybeans | ZS | $1,500 |
| Wheat | ZW | $1,000 |