The Emini S&P (ES) futures started trading in 1997, while the Micro Emini S&P started in 2019 and both have grown to be the most popularly traded stock index futures in the US and averages over millions of trades per day. Widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities and the leading barometer of the U.S. stock market, the S&P 500 Index serves as the benchmark for $5 trillion in assets. Traders can access the S&P 500, as well as other benchmark indices, nearly 24 hours a day with CME-listed futures and options on futures. They trades 23 hours a day and provides great liquidity and price movement for futures daytraders. These indices can be highly volatile and be traded with a great amount of leverage which is not suitable for all investors, so please make sure it is right for you. Sign up for our free Emini S&P Futures Course to receive education on this great futures product.
Emini S&P Symbol | ES |
Contract Size | $50 x E-mini S&P 500 futures price |
Tick Size | 0.25 index points = $12.50 |
Exchange | CME Globex |
Contract Months | Mar (H), Jun (M), Sep (U), Dec (Z) |
Hours (CST) | 5:00p-4:00p, Opens Sunday at 5:00p |
Margin | $750 Daytrade, $11,000 Position Trade |
Micro Emini S&P Symbol | MES |
Contract Size | $5 x E-mini Micro S&P 500 futures price |
Tick Size | 0.25 index points = $1.25 |
Exchange | CME Globex |
Contract Months | Mar (H), Jun (M), Sep (U), Dec (Z) |
Hours (CST) | 5:00p-4:00p, Opens Sunday at 5:00p |
Margin | $75 Daytrade, $1,100 Position Trade |
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*Low margins are a double edged sword, as lower margins mean you have higher leverage and therefore higher risk. All commissions quoted are not inclusive of any fees, unless otherwise noted. Apex does not charge for futures data, the CME charges $2-12 per month depending on the type of data you require. ApexPro is $49 per month.
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