[taotree]

I'm going to be doing custom software development against an API and I've pretty much decided that I want to use zen-fire, so...

My next questions is which brokerage to use that will allow me to use the zen-fire API? At this point, I'm only trading the ES e-mini.

Which brokerage to use that offers:

1) <= $2500 minimum to open account

2) <= $1000 ES intraday margin

3) highly competitive commissions (even for low volume)

4) No monthly fees

5) No minimum activity

Any recommendations?

I've seen at least a couple I think satisfy this, but I would like to get some more confirmation from others' experience (and if there are others I should consider) before making a commitment.

Thanks!

[Harlequin]

Looks like you're asking for an impossible combination.

No. 4 and 5 are usually mutually exclusive.

No. 3 would be discount brokers (Not Zenfire)

No. 1 & 2 normally exclude 3.

I'm not trying to be negative here, I'm just saying you may need to lower you're expectations a bit. For example expect a minimum activity or small platform fee. I think Mirus is the probably the nearest to what you are looking for.

Good Luck,
Harlequin

[bathrobe]

Mirus and AMP. I use Mirus, no complaints.

[bathrobe]

Mirus intraday es commission is 500, AMP is 400

[Harlequin]

Bathrobe,

What would ES commission be like on a 2.5K account, (if you know)? Could be a good option for a second back up account for me.

Thanks.

[bathrobe]

Originally Posted by Harlequin »

Bathrobe,

What would ES commission be like on a 2.5K account, (if you know)? Could be a good option for a second back up account for me.

Thanks.

ES margin at Mirus would be $500 intraday and at AMP it would be $400, also neither of these fluctuated at all during the crash or the volatility.

[bathrobe]

also, at Mirus you can clear through Dorman or RCG, I believe AMP is Dorman. The small margin is for all account sizes.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by bathrobe »

ES margin at Mirus would be $500 intraday and at AMP it would be $400, also neither of these fluctuated at all during the crash or the volatility.

Yes I got the margin it's the commission levels I was unclear on.

I use IB for my main account and can live with the high margin requirements as I would never trade more than 1 car for every 10k in my account (gets me through the bad days). If Mirus and Amp meet all the OP requirements it would be a good option for a back up account in case IB has technical problems, only 2.5k sat in the account and $500 margin would hedge 5 cars for me, no platform fees and no minimum activity so it would be OK to only use occasionally. Only unanswered question is the commission rates, I can imagine it difficult to negotiate $4.70 RT on an account like that.