Futures Trading Brokers and Trading Software

[brownsfan019]

My reco's for futures brokers are:

• Mirus Futures http://www.mirusfutures.com
• ProActive Futures http://www.proactivefutures.com
• Open ECry http://www.openecry.com

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.

[cooter]

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

[Soultrader]

The Infinity AT is a user-friendly ninjatrader in my opinion. Definitely try out the demo first. Its connected to real-time data so you can test how fast the execution is.

[cooter]

Thanks Soultrader.

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

[brownsfan019]

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.

[cooter]

According to their website, OpenECry clears through Rand Financial Services, R.J.O'Brien and Triland.

Online Futures Trading - Open E Cry â„¢ FAQ: Trading - Who do you clear through?

Should I be concerned?

[brownsfan019]

Cooter, According to the NFA, they are registered as an FCM. http://www.nfa.futures.org/basicnet/...d=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.

[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.

[brownsfan019]

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....

[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.