Start Trading Futures Contracts
MetroTrade gives traders access to futures markets with transparent pricing and low intraday margins.
What are Futures Contracts?
A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell an asset at a set price on a set date.
Futures are traded on regulated exchanges like the CME and cover a wide range of markets, from stock indexes and gold to crude oil and cryptocurrency.
They give traders a way to take positions on the price of indexes, commodities, currencies, and other assets using leverage, without owning the underlying asset.
Why Traders Choose Futures
Go long or short easily
You can trade in either direction based on your view of the market.
Nearly 24-hour market access
You can react to earnings, economic data, and global news as it happens, not just during stock market hours.
Access a wide range of markets
From stock indexes and gold to crude oil and cryptocurrency, futures give you exposure to global markets from a single account.
Futures trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Leverage can work against you as well as for you.
Trade Global Markets with Futures
Equity Index Futures
Trade contracts tied to major U.S. stock indexes including the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones, and Russell 2000.
Energy Futures
Trade crude oil and natural gas futures, two of the most actively watched commodity markets in the world.
Metals Futures
Access gold, silver, and copper futures with deep liquidity and nearly 24-hour trading.
Crypto Futures
Trade Bitcoin and Ether futures without the custody risks of holding spot crypto.
Treasury Futures
Express views on U.S. interest rates or hedge fixed income exposure with futures linked to government bonds.
Agricultural Futures
Participate in essential commodity markets including corn, wheat, and soybeans.
Currency Futures
Forex futures offer transparent pricing and reduced counterparty risk compared to spot forex.
Micro Futures
Micro futures make futures accessible at 1/10th the size of e-minis, offering low-cost entry into futures markets.
Start Trading Futures Today
Trade Micro Futures with Lower Costs
Micro e-mini futures give you a smaller way to trade the same major markets with reduced contract sizes, lower margins, and more flexibility in how you manage positions.
Start Trading Futures with a Low-Cost Broker
Open a MetroTrade account and access CME futures markets with low commissions, competitive margins, and a platform built for active traders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a futures contract?
A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell an asset at a set price on a future date. In practice, most retail traders never hold contracts to expiration. They open and close positions to profit from price movements during the contract’s life.
How is futures trading different from trading stocks?
With stocks, you buy or sell ownership in a company. With futures, you’re trading a contract tied to the price of an index, commodity, or other asset. Futures are leveraged, meaning you control a large position with a smaller upfront deposit called margin. They also trade nearly 24 hours a day, while stocks are limited to exchange hours.
How much money do you need to trade futures?
The minimum depends on the contract and your broker’s margin requirements. Micro E-mini equity index contracts at MetroTrade have intraday margins starting at approximately $50. You’ll need enough in your account to cover the margin for the contracts you want to trade, plus a buffer for potential adverse moves. View current requirements on our margins page.
What is intraday margin?
Intraday margin is the reduced margin requirement available while the primary trading session is active. It is lower than the exchange’s published overnight margin requirement. MetroTrade sets its own intraday margin rates, which are designed to be accessible for retail traders. Positions held past the cutoff time are subject to the higher overnight margin rate.
What are Micro E-mini futures?
Micro E-mini contracts are 1/10 the size of the standard E-mini. They track the same underlying index with proportionally smaller tick values and margin requirements. Micros are popular with newer traders building experience and experienced traders who want more precise position sizing.
Do I have to hold a futures contract until it expires?
No. Most retail traders exit positions well before expiration. You can close a position at any time during market hours. Contracts are typically closed by selling what you bought, or buying back what you sold short.
What are the risks of trading futures?
Futures involve leverage, which means losses can exceed your initial margin deposit. Markets can move quickly, especially around economic data releases and news events. It’s important to use stop-loss orders, manage position size carefully, and understand the contract specifications before trading. Futures trading is not appropriate for all investors.
What futures markets can I trade on MetroTrade?
MetroTrade provides access to CME-listed futures across equity indexes, metals, energy, cryptocurrency, treasuries, agricultural products, and currencies.