[Ants88]

Recently, a trader attempted to convince me that his eMini (ES) margin was $1000. He refused to tell me which broker he uses, which allows this low day margin. My Emini (ES) day margin is $6188 with IB, the CME minimum.

Are there a broker's offering lower than CME minimum day margin for eMini (ES)?

What is your day margin for eMini (ES)?

[atto]

It is very common to have much lower intraday margin rates. IB has a reputation for extremely high ones.

AMP Futures, for one, has most futures instruments in the $400-$500 range (link), but almost all brokers I've seen come close. I personally trade with significantly more capital per contract in the account, but it's available.

[Ants88]

Thanks Atto; Do you trade through Amp Futures? If so which platform do you use and what is there commission for the eMini (ES)?

[atto]

That's one of the brokers I use, but they aren't that special: you can find those kinds of rates in most futures brokers (and could possibly get a better commissions deal, depending on your volume). I use the NinjaTrader platform. Their commissions are competitive, but nothing out of the ordinary. I'm not sure what their published rates are, because I pay under that, but it's in the $4-$5 range for a low volume trader. As a rule, commissions are always negotiable, so don't just accept what they give you, especially if you trade good volume.

[thalestrader]

I trade with Infinity and IB. Infinity has $500 day trade margins on the e-mini's. Though I have the ability to trade one lot/$500 in equity, I do not trade with that degree of leverage. Commissions at Infinity are comparable with what I pay IB for the e-mini's, but Infinity is higher for other futures, e.g. 6E, 6B. I use the Infinity AT platform. Overall, I am very impressed with Infinity's technology, executions, and especially their customer service. I don't know if this is appropriate to mention here, but my brokers at Infinity are Josh Harris and Patrick Zeilbauer. These two guys have been very professional and very responsive.

PS I've been a lurker at this board for some time, and this is my first post - I know some may think I'm a shill for Infinity, but I assure you I am just a very happy customer.

Best Wishes,

thalestrader

[thalestrader]

I use Infinity Brokerage and IB. Infinity offers $500 day trade margins for the e-minis and the commissions are comparable to what I pay at IB.

I tried posting a reply earlier and it didn't post - not sure why.

[brownsfan019]

Open ECry also has good intra-day margins listed here.

[daedalus]

I thought the recent CME bump in margin rates carried over into all of the brokers.

I'm surprised to see other still offering low intraday rates.

I use tradestation and the 1000 intraday margin has tripled to 3100 in the past two months due to market volatility.