Before diving into futures trading, you’ll want to understand the market’s mechanics and the industry’s key terminology. Many online sources offer introductory educational materials designed specifically for beginners. Traders of all experience levels can use additional resources that cover futures trading strategies, current market news and analytical forecasts.
Determining which information sources are the most valuable can be challenging. The following resources can provide a solid foundation and ongoing education for newcomers and active futures traders.
Resources for Futures Traders
Benzinga
Benzinga offers a range of educational resources for beginners and more experienced futures traders. The platform provides real-time news and analysis, key to staying informed about the fast-moving futures markets.
The company’s premium platform, Benzinga Pro, includes features like a real-time news feed with customizable filters, an audio squawk for breaking news and tools to identify market-moving events. The features can help futures traders react quickly to developments impacting commodity and financial futures prices.
The PRICE Futures Group
The PRICE Futures Group provides information to help its clients make informed investing decisions through articles, special reports, videos and other educational materials, which provide perspective and insight into managed futures.
The PRICE Futures Group provides self-directed and broker-assisted trading options supported by experienced brokers and analysts. It also offers trading platforms and systems to conduct trading activities.
NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader provides educational materials designed to support users at every stage of their development as futures traders. The platform offers an unlimited simulated trading environment that allows beginners and experienced traders to practice strategies, familiarize themselves with the platform’s tools and understand market dynamics in real time without risking any capital.
NinjaTrader also offers learning content accessible through its website and platform. This includes video tutorials covering platform basics, charting techniques, technical indicators, order entry methods and advanced trading strategies.
StoneX Futures
StoneX Futures offers a multifaceted learning experience that incorporates different formats to cater to different learning styles.
For traders new to the futures market, StoneX provides introductory materials such as its Futures 101 guide and blog posts like “Futures Day Trading for Beginners” and “3 Easy Ways to Learn Futures Trading.”
The platform’s Market Intelligence section features expert market analysis, commentary from traders and interactive market reports on different commodities and financial markets to keep traders informed about market drivers and trading opportunities. StoneX also conducts webinars on a range of topics, from navigating specific market volatility to understanding the fundamentals of equity index futures.
‘Trading Commodities and Financial Futures’
In George Kleinman’s book “Trading Commodities and Financial Futures: A Comprehensive Guide to Instruments, Trading Techniques, Regulation, Exchanges and Clearing,” you’ll learn the basics of futures contracts, market participants and the mechanics of trading. It gradually progresses to more advanced topics.
‘A Trader’s First Book on Commodities’
In “A Trader’s First Book on Commodities: An Introduction to the World’s Fastest Growing Markets,” Carley Garner introduces the world of commodity futures. She covers the basics:what futures are, how they trade, the different types of commodities and essential terminology. Garner’s writing style is easy to understand for newcomers.
Where to Buy Futures
Interactive Brokers: Interactive Brokers provides access to various global markets and instruments, including stocks, options, futures, forex and bonds. Known for its low fees and sophisticated trading tools, Interactive Brokers is a good choice for experienced traders but novice investors may find the platform’s complexity challenging.
EdgeClear: EdgeClear is an online broker focused on simplifying futures trading. Its innovative, cost-effective EdgeProX platform offers excellent customer service and competitive pricing. The platform is backed by industry experts who support traders with all experience levels.
Plus500: Plus500 is a global contract for differences (CFD) broker providing access to more than 2,800 CFDs across shares and futures. Although CFDs cannot be traded in the United States, U.S. customers can use the Plus500 Futures platform, which provides a deposit bonus of up to $200, allowing you to trade without paying commissions until the deposit amount is used.
NinjaTrader: NinjaTrader is a derivatives trading platform specializing in futures, forex and options. It has a free version for charting, backtesting and trading without upfront cost, though premium features are available. Account minimums and commissions vary. The free version is a good starting point for beginner traders. As you become more knowledgeable, you can add tools.
How to Use Information from Trading Websites
Information from trading websites can help futures traders develop their strategies and make decisions. Below are some ways they can help.
Real-time data and quotes: Trading websites provide real-time price feeds for various futures contracts that traders can use to track intraday and short-term price fluctuations. By monitoring price action, traders can spot opportunities.
Charts and technical analysis tools: The charting tools trading websites offer help traders visualize historical price data and apply technical indicators such as moving averages to help identify trends, support and resistance levels and chart patterns that can suggest potential future price movements. Technical indicators can generate buy or sell signals that traders can use to confirm their analysis.
News and analysis: Many trading websites provide real-time news feeds, economic calendars and analyst reports to help traders understand the factors that can impact the prices of futures contracts’ underlying assets. News and analysis also provide insight into the market sentiment surrounding a particular futures contract or asset class.
How Futures Traders Can Use Websites Wisely
Futures traders should use well-established and regulated trading platforms and financial news websites to minimize risks. Familiarize yourself with the website’s features, limitations and potential technical issues and stick to your pre-defined trading strategy to avoid impulsive decisions.
When evaluating which websites to use, consider the following:
Data accuracy and reliability: Real-time data feeds may delay slightly, impacting fast-paced trading strategies. Although they’re infrequent, data errors can occur, so be wary of price spikes or drops that seem out of sync with other sources.
Security and privacy risks: Trading websites contain sensitive financial information. Make sure the websites you’re using have security measures to protect against data breaches and use strong passwords to protect your data.
Price transparency: Beware of hidden fees associated with using certain features or accessing premium content on trading websites. Also check terms and conditions for automatic subscription renewals you may not want. Be skeptical of websites promising unrealistic profits or guaranteed returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Some of the most commonly traded futures with strong profit potential include financial futures like e-mini S&P 500 contracts and commodity futures like crude oil. Traders often monitor real-time news and analysis platforms like Benzinga and The PRICE Futures Group to stay updated on fast-moving opportunities.
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You can practice futures trading using free simulators like the one provided by NinjaTrader, which offers unlimited simulated trading. This allows you to test strategies, learn platform tools and understand market movements without risking real money.
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Absolutely. Futures markets move quickly and factors like economic data, tariffs and global events can cause sudden price shifts. Using trusted resources like StoneX Futures’ market analysis and Benzinga’s real-time news feed can help ensure you make informed trading decisions every time.
