Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

brownsfan019

Futures Trading Brokers and Trading Software

Recommended Posts

My reco's for futures brokers are:

For trading software, I continue to use and recommend T4. http://www.ctsfutures.com/content/t4/

It is not the cheapest software around, but the speed and hosting is top of the line. By hosting I mean that your orders are actually stored at CTS Futures (designers of T4). Should your internet go down and/or the exchange, your orders are still working. For me, that is very important as internet outages are inevitable. By holding your orders on their servers, they are able to offer additional services, such as MIT (Market If Touched) orders whereas some software packages cannot do that b/c the order resides at the exchange and some exchanges do not support MIT's or other certain types of orders. Mirus and ProActive both currently support T4, although it may be referred to under a different name. Mirus calls the platform Dorman Direct and ProActive currently calls it T4.

 

Note - Open ECry supplies their own trading software at no cost, which is an attractive option depending on your needs. The platform is nice as well, so it's a great option, esp for those looking for inexpensive platforms.

Recommendations posted on April 8, 2007.

Feel free to PM me with any personal questions or to confirm my reco's at a later time. Businesses and needs change over time, so it is completely reasonable for my reco's to change before altering this post. Please perform your own due diligence before starting a new business relationship.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest cooter

I'm curious to here your thoughts about the Infinnity AT platform. Have you tried it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest cooter

Thanks Soultrader.

 

What about OpenECry? Have you tried them? Any thoughts here?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

RE: Infinity's platform - I have not tried it. I contacted them awhile back regarding commission quotes and they could not get in the ballpark of what i was paying, let alone beat them.

 

RE: Open ECry - I have demo'd it and it is nice. It depends on what you need, but there are some useful features on it and it should have or will have soon MIT orders if you need those. I believe it has trading from the chart as well. So, it's a good platform if looking for a decent trading platform with charting at no extra fee(s). And their commission rates are very good as well. They are an FCM so there is no 'middle man', i.e. an IB. I would get a demo version if interested.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Cooter, According to the NFA, they are registered as an FCM. http://www.nfa.futures.org/basicnet/Details.aspx?entityid=0326789&rn=Y. Assuming that is correct, that would mean they can perform trading operations at a level higher than an IB. How all the back office items work, I am not sure on exactly. I understand that an IB (introducing broker) simply markets their own name and handles customers, but all the trading goes thru another company, such as an FCM. Now, how exactly Open ECry handles it all, I am not sure.

 

Very good question and observation, but I have heard mostly good things about Open ECry and thought their software was very nice, esp at no extra fee.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest cooter

So an IB just "private-labels" another trading platform, basically. But an FCM can clear themselves or contract to have a larger house do it themselves. I'm thinking this is what OpenECry does.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is interesting Cooter.

 

As for the dissection of this futures trading 'pyramid', my understanding is that you basically have:

1) The exchanges that provide the marketplace.

2) The firms that clear there.

3) The FCM's that either clear and/or work with the firms in #2.

4) IB's are marketing co's of FCM's. They simply provide the customer service to you and market their own name, but all back office is handled elsewhere.

 

You'll find some FCM's that only deal with IB's and they focus on the back office items. You'll also find some FCM's that market themselves and/or work with IB's.

 

The most important part of this equation is that the more firms and people involved, the more costs that must be passed on somewhere... I sometimes get broker prospecting calls and when I tell them my rate is under $4/round trip and that they need to beat it or we can end the conversation, many retail brokers don't even understand how rates can be that low. Well, the more hands in the pot require higher costs. I recently had a guy pitching me $25/round trip. :rolleyes: I just laughed....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest cooter

Yeah, they think we're stupid, or something at times ;)

 

I'm sure if you ask around here you might be able to find a broker who is able to match your rates.

 

I'm also getting under $4/rt on the minis and treasuries with one of my brokers - with the statements and rate sheets to prove it - and yet they still try to get over.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest pshinspections

Brownsfan,

 

Thanks for posting the link for Proactive Futures. I had not heard of them before I saw your post. I have one account there and was previously with Interactive Brokers. PF's margin requirements are superior to IB ($500 vs. $4250) for the ER2, and compounding my account has since taken new strides after eliminating the unneccesary margin requirement at IB.

 

A word to newbies, lower margins may not be for you. It depends on your trading style. If you're just learning the ropes, I would not advise you to leverage yourself to this extreme. Word to the wise.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm stuck between OEC since I love their chart trading.

 

OR---

 

IB with quotetrader software as a free platform.

 

OR---

 

Infinity AT and Tradestation for charting. I love TS charting and would have to throw them 10 trades per month.

 

I really like the OEC setup but then I'm stuck in the same boat as Tradestation and can only trade futures. I do like with IB that I can have a universal account and trade equities as well as futures with one account.

 

I'm going to be leaving Tradestation this month so I can start the new year fresh so I'll be doing some heavy research.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Currently I would recommend Open ECry as the best option available on the futures markets. With a free but incredible platform, great rates and margin levels, it's hard to beat.

 

Can I add the experiences I have had with Open Ecry support, both technical and general have been very positive. Have not had to use the support much, but each time I have had a quick response, very professional.

 

I opened an account with them based on your recommendations BrownsFan...thank-you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Can I add the experiences I have had with Open Ecry support, both technical and general have been very positive. Have not had to use the support much, but each time I have had a quick response, very professional.

 

I opened an account with them based on your recommendations BrownsFan...thank-you.

 

No prob Mr. Ed!!

 

Glad to be of assistance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest pshinspections

Thank you for the leads to the different brokerages. I will stay at Proactive for now, unless their spreads become out-of-line (I still maintain accounts at previous favorites IB and Scottrades to compare spreads). PF's margins really make them the best choice for my leveraged trading profile.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I'm stuck between OEC since I love their chart trading.

 

OR---

 

IB with quotetrader software as a free platform.

 

OR---

 

Infinity AT and Tradestation for charting. I love TS charting and would have to throw them 10 trades per month.

 

I really like the OEC setup but then I'm stuck in the same boat as Tradestation and can only trade futures. I do like with IB that I can have a universal account and trade equities as well as futures with one account.

 

I'm going to be leaving Tradestation this month so I can start the new year fresh so I'll be doing some heavy research.

 

 

Keep us abreast of your research findings...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Currently I would recommend Open ECry as the best option available on the futures markets. With a free but incredible platform, great rates and margin levels, it's hard to beat.

 

This has been a great thread, and I would like to bring it back to life.

 

It's three-and-a-half years since the last entry here, and in Internet and Trading Technology terms, that is a significant leap back in time.

 

I live in Australia and straight away that limits what is available locally. In order for me to take advantage of futures data and trading platforms, I would need to sign with an overseas company, and that is not totally kocher for me. Today with sovereign defaults and overnight bankruptcies, I don't need the risk associated with trying to repatriate my trading funds if there is a crisis or a broker collapse. The Aussie government can not help me if an overseas broker decides to ignore my requests to send me my money.

 

I like the Ensign Windows charting package - currently USD$49.95/month with an initial free trial before committing. I am wanting to access futures instruments with volume data available, and this is not available (reliably) with Retail Forex. I believe Esignal is supposed to have some kind of reflective volume data for spot forex, but nothing as reliable as forex futures data.

 

Has anyone tried the T4 platform? This does not fit my "deal locally" ideal, but I am searching for an Aussie broker who offers it ... fruitlessly so far.

 

My alternatives are to find a broker off-shore who meets my needs, and has a degree of security a bit separated from the bucket shops model.

 

I am sure others have faced this kind of dilemma ... as per the above posts ... but with the passage of time, there are bound to be improvements and economies associated with the better setups.

 

Thoughts?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
This has been a great thread, and I would like to bring it back to life.

 

It's three-and-a-half years since the last entry here, and in Internet and Trading Technology terms, that is a significant leap back in time.

 

I live in Australia and straight away that limits what is available locally. In order for me to take advantage of futures data and trading platforms, I would need to sign with an overseas company, and that is not totally kocher for me. Today with sovereign defaults and overnight bankruptcies, I don't need the risk associated with trying to repatriate my trading funds if there is a crisis or a broker collapse. The Aussie government can not help me if an overseas broker decides to ignore my requests to send me my money.

 

I like the Ensign Windows charting package - currently USD$49.95/month with an initial free trial before committing. I am wanting to access futures instruments with volume data available, and this is not available (reliably) with Retail Forex. I believe Esignal is supposed to have some kind of reflective volume data for spot forex, but nothing as reliable as forex futures data.

 

Has anyone tried the T4 platform? This does not fit my "deal locally" ideal, but I am searching for an Aussie broker who offers it ... fruitlessly so far.

 

My alternatives are to find a broker off-shore who meets my needs, and has a degree of security a bit separated from the bucket shops model.

 

I am sure others have faced this kind of dilemma ... as per the above posts ... but with the passage of time, there are bound to be improvements and economies associated with the better setups.

 

Thoughts?

 

have you tried the amazing G-Bot.

 

:haha: free! this is a no return experience ...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Date: 7th April 2025.   Asian Markets Plunge as US-China Trade War Escalates; Wall Street Futures Signal Further Turmoil.   Global financial markets extended last week’s massive sell-off as tensions between the US and its major trading partners deepened, rattling investors and prompting sharp declines across equities, commodities, and currencies. The fallout from President Trump’s sweeping new tariff measures continued to spread, raising fears of a full-blown trade war and economic recession.   Asian stock markets plunged on Monday, extending a global market rout fueled by rising tensions between the US and China. The latest wave of aggressive tariffs and retaliatory measures has unnerved investors worldwide, triggering sharp sell-offs across the Asia-Pacific region.   Asian equities led the global rout on Monday, with dramatic losses seen across the region. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index tumbled more than 8% shortly after the open, while the broader Topix fell over 6.5%, recovering only slightly from steeper losses. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite sank 6.7%, and the blue-chip CSI300 dropped 7.5% as markets reopened following a public holiday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index opened more than 9% lower, reflecting deep concerns about escalating trade tensions.           South Korea’s Kospi dropped 4.8%, triggering a circuit breaker designed to curb panic selling. Taiwan’s Taiex index collapsed by nearly 10%, with major tech exporters like TSMC and Foxconn hitting circuit breaker limits after each fell close to 10%. Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX 200 shed as much as 6.3%, and New Zealand’s NZX 50 lost over 3.5%.   Despite the escalation, Beijing has adopted a measured tone. Chinese officials urged investors not to panic and assured markets that the country has the tools to mitigate economic shocks. At the same time, they left the door open for renewed trade talks, though no specific timeline has been set.   US Stock Futures Plunge Ahead of Monday Open   US stock futures pointed to another brutal day on Wall Street. Futures tied to the S&P 500 dropped over 3%, Nasdaq futures sank 4%, and Dow Jones futures lost 2.5%—equivalent to nearly 1,000 points. The Nasdaq Composite officially entered a bear market on Friday, down more than 20% from its recent highs, while the S&P 500 is nearing bear territory. The Dow closed last week in correction. Oil prices followed suit, with WTI crude dropping over 4% to $59.49 per barrel—its lowest since April 2021.   Wall Street closed last week in disarray, erasing more than $5 trillion in value amid fears of an all-out trade war. The Nasdaq Composite officially entered a bear market on Friday, sinking more than 20% from its recent peak. The S&P 500 is approaching bear territory, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has slipped firmly into correction territory.   German Banks Hit Hard Amid Escalating Trade Tensions   German banking stocks were among the worst hit in Europe. Shares of Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank plunged between 9.5% and 10.3% during early Frankfurt trading, compounding Friday’s steep losses. Fears over a global trade war and looming recession are severely impacting the financial sector, particularly export-driven economies like Germany.   Eurozone Growth at Risk   Eurozone officials are bracing for economic fallout, with Greek central bank governor Yannis Stournaras warning that Trump’s tariff policy could reduce eurozone GDP by up to 1%. The EU is preparing retaliatory tariffs on $28 billion worth of American goods—ranging from steel and aluminium to consumer products like dental floss and luxury jewellery.   Starting Wednesday, the US is expected to impose 25% tariffs on key EU exports, with Brussels ready to respond with its own 20% levies on nearly all remaining American imports.   UK Faces £22 Billion Economic Blow   In the UK, fresh research from KPMG revealed that the British economy could shrink by £21.6 billion by 2027 due to US-imposed tariffs. The analysis points to a 0.8% dip in economic output over the next two years, undermining Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ growth agenda. The report also warned of additional fiscal pressure that may lead to future tax increases and public spending cuts.   Wall Street Braces for Recession   Goldman Sachs revised its US recession probability to 45% within the next year, citing tighter financial conditions and rising policy uncertainty. This marks a sharp jump from the 35% risk estimated just last month—and more than double January’s 20% projection. J.P. Morgan issued a bleaker outlook, now forecasting a 60% chance of recession both in the US and globally.   Global Leaders Respond as Trade Tensions Deepen   The dramatic market sell-off was triggered by China’s sweeping retaliation to a new round of US tariffs, which included a 34% levy on all American imports. Beijing’s state-run People’s Daily released a defiant statement, asserting that China has the tools and resilience to withstand economic pressure from Washington. ‘We’ve built up experience after years of trade conflict and are prepared with a full arsenal of countermeasures,’ it stated.   Around the world, policymakers are responding to the growing threat of a trade-led economic slowdown. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced plans to appeal directly to Washington and push for tariff relief, following the US administration’s decision to impose a blanket 24% tariff on Japanese imports. He aims to visit the US soon to present Japan’s case as a fair trade partner.   In Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te said his administration would work closely with Washington to remove trade barriers and increase purchases of American goods in an effort to reduce the bilateral trade deficit. The island's defence ministry has also submitted a new list of US military procurements to highlight its strategic partnership.   Economists and strategists are warning of deeper economic consequences. Ronald Temple, chief market strategist at Lazard, said the scale and speed of these tariffs could result in far more severe damage than previously anticipated. ‘This isn’t just a bilateral conflict anymore — more countries are likely to respond in the coming weeks,’ he noted.   Analysts at Barclays cautioned that smaller Asian economies, such as Singapore and South Korea, may face challenges in negotiating with Washington and are already adjusting their economic growth forecasts downward in response to the unfolding trade crisis.           Oil Prices Sink on Demand Concerns   Crude oil continued its sharp slide on Monday, driven by recession fears and weakened global demand. Brent fell 3.9% to $63.04 a barrel, while WTI plunged over 4% to $59.49—both benchmarks marking weekly losses exceeding 10%. Analysts say inflationary pressures and slowing economic activity may drag demand down, even though energy imports were excluded from the latest round of tariffs.   Vandana Hari of Vanda Insights noted, ‘The market is struggling to find a bottom. Until there’s a clear signal from Trump that calms recession fears, crude prices will remain under pressure.’   OPEC+ Adds Further Pressure with Output Hike   Bearish sentiment intensified after OPEC+ announced it would boost production by 411,000 barrels per day in May, far surpassing the expected 135,000 bpd. The alliance called on overproducing nations to submit compensation plans by April 15. Analysts fear this surprise move could undo years of supply discipline and weigh further on already fragile oil markets.   Global political risks also flared over the weekend. Iran rejected US proposals for direct nuclear negotiations and warned of potential military action. Meanwhile, Russia claimed fresh territorial gains in Ukraine’s Sumy region and ramped up attacks on surrounding areas—further darkening the outlook for markets.   Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.   Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.   Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar.   Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!   Click HERE to READ more Market news.   Andria Pichidi HFMarkets   Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
    • AMZN Amazon stock watch, good buying (+313%) toi hold onto the 173.32 support area at https://stockconsultant.com/?AMZN
    • META stock watch, local support and resistance areas at 507.48, 557.84 at https://stockconsultant.com/?META
    • TMUS T-Mobile stock, watch for a top of range breakout at https://stockconsultant.com/?TMUS
    • KULR KULR Technology stock watch, pullback to 1.25 triple support area with bullish indicators at https://stockconsultant.com/?KULR
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.