Intraday Futures Margin Requirements
View MetroTrade’s current intraday margin rates for the most popular futures contracts.
Intraday margin hours: 7:45 AM – 3:15 PM CST
Understanding Futures Margin
Margin is the minimum amount of money you must have in your account to open and hold a futures trade.
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Intraday Margin: A smaller amount of money required to trade a futures contract during the day. You must close the trade before 3:15PM CST or you will need more funds.
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Initial Margin: The full amount required to keep a futures trade open overnight. If you hold past the cutoff, your account must have at least this amount.
Scroll right to view intraday margins
| Group | Symbol | Contract | Intraday Margin | Initial Margin |
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Disclaimer: Margins may vary from the published rates. This list represents a selection of actively traded products on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). It is intended for informational purposes only, does not constitute a comprehensive list of all products or margin requirements available on the exchange, and is subject to change at any time. Click here to access the complete list. Additionally, all margins are subject to change without notice due to factors such as events, market volatility, or increased risk. MetroTrade is not responsible for any errors or omissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is margin in futures trading?
Margin in futures trading is the minimum amount of capital a trader must deposit to open and maintain a position. It’s not a down payment or a loan, but a performance bond that ensures both parties can meet their financial obligations as prices move.
What is intraday vs initial vs maintenance margin?
Intraday margin is the reduced amount required to trade during the same session. Initial margin is the exchange-set amount needed to open a position overnight. Maintenance margin is the minimum balance a trader must keep to hold that position without triggering a margin call.
What happens if I hold a position overnight?
If you hold a position past the intraday cutoff, it converts to the full exchange margin requirement. If your account doesn’t meet that higher amount, the broker may liquidate positions or issue a margin call to bring the account back into compliance.
Why are intraday margins lower than exchange margins?
MetroTrade’s intraday margins apply during regular trading hours as defined by each exchange. Positions must be closed before the daily cutoff time to avoid transitioning to exchange margin requirements overnight.
When do MetroTrade’s intraday margins apply?
MetroTrade’s intraday margins apply during regular trading hours as defined by each exchange. Positions must be closed before the daily cutoff time to avoid transitioning to exchange margin requirements overnight.
What is a margin call?
A margin call occurs when your account balance falls below the maintenance margin requirement. You must either deposit additional funds or close positions to restore your account’s margin level and maintain compliance.