Futures trading guides
Plain-English guides to how futures work, how to size risk, and how to read a trade idea. Educational only, not financial advice.
Basics
Futures Trading for Beginners: How It Works and What to Know First
What a futures contract is, how leverage and margin work, and the risks to understand before you trade.
Contracts
MNQ vs NQ: Micro vs E-mini Nasdaq Futures Explained
Same index, one-tenth the size: how MNQ and NQ differ and how to choose between them.
Contracts
Futures Tick Value Chart: ES, NQ, YM, RTY, CL, GC and Micros
Tick size, tick value and dollars per point for popular index, oil and gold futures and their micros.
Risk
Futures Risk Management: 7 Rules and a Position-Sizing Formula
Seven practical rules and a sizing formula for controlling risk on every futures trade.
Trade ideas
How to Read a Futures Trade Idea: Ticker, Direction, Thesis and Risk
What a complete trade idea contains, how to turn it into a plan, and red flags in signal services.
NinjaTrader
How to Install Indicators in NinjaTrader 8 (Step by Step)
Import a NinjaScript add-on, add it to a chart, save a template, and fix common errors.
Risk
Futures Margin Explained: Initial, Maintenance and Day-Trade Margin
What futures margin really is, how margin calls happen, and why it shouldn't size your trades.
Analysis
Daily Levels in Futures Trading: What They Are and How Traders Use Them
Prior-day highs and lows, overnight range, opening range and more: marking the prices traders watch.
Contracts
ES vs NQ: Which Index Futures Contract Should You Trade?
How the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 E-minis differ in index makeup, point value and behavior.
Journal
Futures Trading Journal Template: What to Record and How to Review
The fields to log on every trade and a simple weekly review that turns losses into lessons.
See how TradeSharing trade ideas work
One trader's futures ideas with ticker, direction, thesis and reasoning, posted as they're taken.
Start your free 14-day trialEducational and informational only; not financial, investment or trading advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss. Full disclaimer.