Two of the most traded index futures contracts in the world are ES (E-mini S&P 500) and NQ (E-mini Nasdaq 100). While both offer excellent liquidity and near-24-hour trading, they behave differently—and choosing the right one depends on your trading style, risk tolerance, and strategy. Let’s compare ES vs NQ futures in key areas to…
If you’re trading E-mini S&P 500 futures (ES), it’s essential to understand the full contract specifications set by the CME Group. These specs define everything from tick size to trading hours, margin, and more. This guide breaks down the official ES futures contract specs so you can trade with clarity and confidence. Contract Overview Specification…
Trading ES futures offers excellent liquidity and leverage—but it’s important to understand the actual cost of trading. Beyond margin, traders must factor in commissions, slippage, fees, and platform costs to truly know their bottom line. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the real cost of trading ES futures in 2025. 1. Exchange Margin Requirements You must…
If you’re trading ES futures (E-mini S&P 500), understanding tick value is crucial. Every price movement—no matter how small—can impact your trade outcome. This article explains what a tick is, how much it’s worth, and how to calculate gains or losses based on tick movement. What Is a Tick in ES Futures? In futures trading,…
Knowing how much you can gain—or lose—before placing a trade is essential. An ES futures profit calculator helps traders quickly determine their potential profit, loss, and risk based on entry, exit, and stop-loss levels. This guide shows how to use a profit calculator for E-mini S&P 500 (ES) contracts, and how to apply it to…
Trading ES futures offers huge opportunities—but also serious risks. Many beginners (and even experienced traders) make avoidable errors that lead to blown accounts, emotional stress, and inconsistent performance. This guide highlights the top mistakes to avoid when trading ES futures, so you can stay disciplined and trade with confidence. 1. Overtrading More trades ≠ more…
No matter how skilled you are as a trader, consistent success in ES futures depends on risk management. The high leverage and volatility of E-mini S&P 500 contracts can magnify both gains and losses. That’s why protecting your capital must be your top priority. This guide offers proven risk management tips for ES futures traders…
Support and resistance are two of the most fundamental concepts in technical analysis. When applied correctly, they can offer high-probability entry and exit points for ES futures traders. This guide shows how to trade ES futures using support and resistance in a structured, low-risk way. What Are Support and Resistance Levels? These levels act as…
When trading ES futures (E-mini S&P 500), one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to pursue day trading or swing trading. Both approaches can be profitable—but they require different time commitments, strategies, and risk tolerance. This guide compares day trading vs swing trading ES futures to help you choose the method that aligns…
If you’re just starting with ES futures, it’s important to follow simple and structured strategies that minimize risk while building confidence. The E-mini S&P 500 contract is highly liquid, volatile, and trades nearly 24 hours a day, making it ideal for short-term and swing trading—if you have a plan. In this guide, you’ll learn beginner-friendly…