Re: [amibroker] trading futures

["emp62" <emp62@xxxxxxx>]

thanks Terry for your detailed answer.  One more basic question on this. What data do you use to test a system. I mean for every contract you are limited to the data for that contract, so there is not much to work with. Or do you use the NDX index for testing?

regards, Ed


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Terry 
  To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 4:38 PM
  Subject: RE: [amibroker] trading futures



  If you're keeping the contract overnight, the margin is 3750.

  Tick size relates to how much movement is required to get paid. It is 0.25.

  I set those values in the Symbol Information window. 

  Commission is 2.40 per side or 4.80 round trip. You use 2.40
  per contract. (The 1.65 you saw was for OPTIONS on futures.)

  You can find contract details here and margin deposit on the IB page you have: 

  http://www.cme.com/clearing/clr/spec/contract_specifications.html?type=idx 



      SetOption("CommissionMode", 3); /* Modes explained next...

          0 - use portfolio manager commission table

          1 - percent of trade

          2 - $ per trade

          3 - $ per share/contract    */

      SetOption("CommissionAmount", 2.40);



  Be sure to check the Futures box in AA->Settings.

  This is necessary even when you use this line of code, 
  which I always include when testing Futures.



      SetOption("FuturesMode",True);





  --

  Terry

  -----Original Message-----
  From: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of emp62
  Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 07:14
  To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Subject: Re: [amibroker] trading futures



  thank you.



  So in the Symbol inofrmation window I fill in:



  Round Lot Size: 1        Margin deposit: 1500

  Tick Size:  5        Point value: 20



  am I right?  What number do you use for the margin deposit?



  thank you,



  regards, Ed







    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: ara1@xxxxxxxxxx 

    To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

    Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 2:52 PM

    Subject: Re: [amibroker] trading futures



    Point value for NQ is $20.00 - (Tick value = $5.00).

    IB commissions are $2.40

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: emp62 <emp62@xxxxxxx>
    Date: Friday, July 21, 2006 3:11 am
    Subject: [amibroker] trading futures
    To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    > hi,
    > 
    > am am testing some systems on futures (have experience with stocks 
    > only) and I want to check if my settings are set up properly for 
    > trading NQ E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures at Interactive Brokers.
    > 
    > For trading 10 contracts I add into my system:
    > 
    > NumContracts = 10; 
    > PositionSize = NumContracts * MarginDeposit; 
    > 
    > Further: 
    > 
    > tick size = 0.25
    > Point value = 12.5$ / 0.25 = 50
    > 
    > Margin deposit ?? Do I need to get this number from IB? I find a 
    > list here:
    > 
    > 
    http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/trading/marginRequirements/margin_
    amer.php
    > 
    > what do I use? 1500?
    > 
    > Commision I use 1.65$ per contract.
    > 
    > if somebody could check the setup I would appreciate,
    > 
    > thanks, Ed