[Jupiter]

what's the smallest amount of capital you need to trade YM?

I've heard to go with a big margin requirement incase the account blows up but what's a good amount to start with to just get a feel with say one contract?

[zdo]

Jupiter,

As far as I know, the smallest amount of capital you need to (day) trade one YM is $500.
As far as is realistic, (and not being eaten up in high commissions and bank wire fees, btw ) real "staying power" starts around 12-15,000 USD per car.
.. very generally speaking though - your individual experience and edge may push that higher or lower... hth

zdo

[uexkuell]

Originally Posted by Jupiter »

what's the smallest amount of capital you need to trade YM?

This can save you much money:

Start paper trading and do it until you are consistably profitable over a longer time period (if daytrading say 2 weeks in a row (that's still short), if interday trading much longer).

When you have found a way of becoming profitable on paper you will know EXACTLY how much downside you have to expect from your strategy. Then you can easily answer your question by yourself.

As long as you cannot answer the question by yourself this is a failsafe indicator that you better stay away from real money.