Futures & Derivatives Trading Resource Center

This page is not complete but should give you access to some of the most useful resources we have found & use for our own futures trading as we continue work on this page:

Basic Trading Information

New to the world of financial futures investment? There are some excellent educational resources in this section if you want to learn more about the markets, how they work and who trades them. Futures, equities, Spread Betting, CFD's, its all here.

Getting started with realtime simulated trading

The best way to get started in trading and get experience is with real market data and real price quotes. Most people will have heard of papertrading, but a far superior way to learn to trade is to use a trade simulator with realtime data and market quotes.

With a simulated trading setup you can execute your chosen trade methodology and go through the motions of trading to familiarize yourself with the processes, and establish if your chosen trades would be profitable or not without risking a penny of real money. Additionally you can track your trades and log them into your trading journal to monitor your development as a trader.

Trader Training & Mentoring
New trader looking for an edge? Or an existing trader who is finding consistent profits a difficult goal to achieve? This section has information about training and mentoring, some of it available for free and some of it at a cost.

Proprietary Trading
Interested in finding out more about Prop trading firms, Trading Arcades or Bureaux? Considering a career as a trading professional? Curious about the sort of trading undertaken at a professional level? This section contains much more information about the pro arena, and includes a guide and a directory of firms.

Trading Software & Trading Platforms
Compare the pro's and con's of the most popular trading software including MultiCharts, TradeStation, Ninja Trader, X_Trader, CQG and others. If you are looking for a charting, analysis or execution package then this section contains a broad spectrum of information for you.

Also includes useful utilities such as position sizing, risk analysis, monte carlo analysis and other indirectly related software such as automated backup programs, firewall and antivirus advice and how to protect yourself from spyware and browser hijacks.

Daytrader Hardware - Ultra high speed PC Systems for Daytraders:
A commitment to full-time trading also requires a commitment to invest in the best hardware and software that you can get your hands on. You can't expect to be a competitive participant in today's high speed electronic marketplace by using an unreliable outdated machine with inadequate screen space and a slow Internet connection.

4Ghz? 64Bit? Liquid cooled? Whether you decide to build your own machine or buy a prebuilt system from a manufacturer like Dell or Alienware, this guide will give you a solid foundation of knowledge so you can make confident, wise choices in your trading infrastructure.

Other Trading Specific Peripherals:
If you are looking for highly reliable dual connection routers, multiple monitor graphics cards or multiple monitor stands, UPS power protection or trader furniture then this section will help.

Check out our recommended MicroSphere ergonomic modular trading workstation!

Direct Access Futures Brokerages:
We have included reviews here for several futures brokerages that we use ourselves, along with a few recommendations for brokers you may wish to consider depending on whether you are a beginner, experienced trader or if you are seeking a pro firm for high volume traders.

Privacy & Tax
Smart money section. If you are making a lot of money trading, you should be giving consideration to protecting your assets and minimizing your tax liabilities to the maximum extent permissible under law. If you are not employing tax management already then you can be certain you are paying too much tax.