Better for scalping: ES or YM?

[Disco Scottie]

For those who have traded both... is it easier to get 2 ticks on ES, or 4 points on YM? Do you prefer one over the other for a scalping vehicle, or consider them pretty much the same?

[Hlm]

For pure scalping and smaller positions YM is better in my opinion. ES becomes better when trading higher volume or longer intraday swings. However, it all comes down to what works best with YOUR system/strategy.

[MrPaul]

I would say it's much easier to grab 4 ticks with the YM than 2 with the ES. Technically because price needs to trade through your bid/ask on ES you technically need three ticks in your favor to garner a two tick profit.

Although, I personally think trying to grab a couple ticks at a time is ridiculous unless you are a truly skilled scalper doing it hundreds of times a day.

[brownsfan019]

It's a tough call as Hlm said b/c a part of your question is a function of the volume being traded. I would say the YM is probably 'easier' to get those ticks but you are also limited by how many contracts you can easily scalp on the YM as well. With the ES, the sky is the limit.

[brownsfan019]

	Quote:	MrPaul
	I would say it's much easier to grab 4 ticks with a YM than an ES. Technically because price needs to trade through your bid/ask on ES you technically need three ticks in your favor to garner a two tick profit. Although, I personally think trying to grab a couple ticks at a time is ridiculous unless you are a truly skilled scalper doing it hundreds of times a day.

MrPaul brings up a completely separate discussion of the merits of scalping. Grabbing 4 ticks on the YM looks great on paper but turning that into a regularly consistent profitable trading plan is a different story.

[Disco Scottie]

Sorry, should have given a reference point on size of trades... 50 contracts at a time, so it sounds like YM is no good for that volume?

[Hlm]

50 contracts for scalping would be pushing it on the YM (not saying it isn't possible). ES would be a much better instrument. Also, what is your definition of "scalping"? Is it for ticks or was that just an example?

[Soultrader]

Youre definitely going to get some slippage on the YM. You are better off with the ES.

[Disco Scottie]

	Quote:	Hlm
	50 contracts for scalping would be pushing it on the YM (not saying it isn't possible). ES would be a much better instrument. Also, what is your definition of "scalping"? Is it for ticks or was that just an example?

Glad you brought that up, as I was going to ask what the true definition of scalping is (if there is one). Even if my profit target is 1 point, that's only 4 ticks... well, technically 5 to push through the price level. But it's still only a couple more ticks than what I originally asked about. So what's the cutoff between a scalp, and something larger?

[OAC]

	Quote:	Disco Scottie
	Sorry, should have given a reference point on size of trades... 50 contracts at a time, so it sounds like YM is no good for that volume?

I hope that is a hypothetical question. The reason you are asking this question is probably that you don't have enough experience under your belt and you are already trading 50 contracts ? Do you know that 50 contracts controls about $3 million. A 1% move, which can easily happen in less than a couple hours given today's volatility, means a $30,000 swing in your account. And you are doing this from your car with a wireless card and a laptop ?
Well, you must be a very wealthy man.