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Margins

Margin Requirements

Trade Futures 4 Less offers low day trade margins to accommodate traders that require high leverage to trade their accounts. 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.

  • ~$990 – US Equity Index
  • ~$500 – FX
  • ~$500 – Interest Rates
  • ~$2,000 – Metals
  • ~$1,500 – Energy
  • ~$1,000 – Grains
  • ~$1,000 – Softs

Initial Margin – set by the respective exchange and represent the amount required to hold a position into the next trading session.

Maintenance Margin – the lowest amount an account can reach before needing to be replenished to hold a position into the next trading session.

Day Trade Margin – the amount required to enter into a position per contract on an intraday basis.

Contact us to learn more about specific day-trading margins.

Rithmic, CQG, CTS, and Sierra Chart Data Technology offers competitive day trade margins at approximately $500 per contract for some of the most popular and liquid products.  Margins are subject to change.

Traders need to make sure they understand the risk involved in using leverage.

Margin & Liquidation Fees:

  • Margin Call   ($50)*
    If your account goes below the necessary margin for a contract you are actively trading, your account will be charged a margin call fee of $50 per contract. Any open positions that do not meet the Exchange Maintenance Margin Requirement 15 minutes before the market close will be subject to margin call and liquidation. *Additional margin call fee may be charged by the FCM. (Futures accounts only)
  • Liquidation Fee   ($25 – $50)*
    If you have not met your margin call and we are forced to liquidate your position, a liquidation fee of $25 per contract will be charged to your account. Any open positions that do not meet the Exchange Maintenance Margin Requirement 15 minutes before the market close will be subject to margin call and liquidation. *Additional liquidation fee may be charged by the FCM. (Futures accounts only)
  • Order Desk    ($5+)*
    For call-in orders, $5 per contract with a maximum of $25* per ticket.

Risk Rules – Special Circumstances:

During times of high market uncertainty and expected volatility (for example, an election or large geopolitical event), Stage 5 may require accounts to deposit more than the exchange-required initial margin to hold positions.

Currency Conversions:

Trading accounts generating an FX exposure are reviewed by our Risk Desk team.  Any accounts at risk for a debit due to currency fluctuations are converted periodically to avoid a potential debit in your trading account.  The clearing firm, at which your account is held, may charge a conversion fee.

If you carry a debit balance in any currency, the clearing firm may charge a monthly interest rate to your account. If you carry a credit balance in a currency where the risk-free interest rate is negative, the clearing firm may also charge a monthly interest rate on that balance. Please contact us for more information on specific charges.

Negative Account Balance Reminder:

This is a reminder that all clients accept full responsibility and risk for all trades placed in their account.  The client is solely responsible for any trading losses – including any negative account balances that may result from such losses.  For example, in the event a market experiences a large move and trading is halted, the client is responsible for all losses.