Margin Requirements

Initial Margin, also known as Overnight Margin, is set by the exchanges and is universal for all Brokerages. This is the amount required to carry a contract past the day session closing time for each market. Every client needs to have an amount equal to the initial margin requirement in their account balance in order to hold a futures position past the closing time of that market. Not all markets are subject to the day margins listed.

Day margin will vary depending on the trading software you choose. Please contact us for more information on day margin requirements.

Disclaimer: The above information was drawn from sources believed to be reliable. Although it is believed that information provided is accurate, no guarantee is made. Express Futures Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Liquidations due to insufficient margins: $25.00 USD/contract. If you have any questions, please contact us at 312-267-2935 or use the form below.

Disclaimer: Leverage also increases the risk associated with futures trading & only risk capital should be used for trading. Although highly liquid, futures markets can also experience rapid price fluctuations.

Additional Notes for Clients Using the Reduced Intraday Margin Rate

The day trade rate is valid from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, for U.S. Equity Index Futures, as well as select Currency, Energy, Metals, and Interest Rate contracts. Clients must be above initial overnight margin or out of their positions before the day trade rate ends. Please consult the trade desk for additional details.

SPAN margins may be applied. Margins required may vary from the published rates.

By trading on margin (sometimes also referred to as “leveraging” or “gearing”) in your futures account, you acknowledge and agree that Express Futures Inc. may, in its sole discretion, and without prior notice to you, and at any time, impose a margin call and liquidate your account, in whole or part, to meet such margin call and otherwise satisfy or offset any debit item or debit balance, or decrease or eliminate leveraging, in your account. You further acknowledge and agree that Express Futures Inc. may, in its sole discretion, and without notice to you, liquidate any delivery month contract in your account to prevent or minimize the risk of delivery, and that such liquidation may occur five or more days, depending on the contract and Express Futures Inc. subjective evaluation of risk, prior to the delivery date.

Futures’ trading is not suitable for all investors and involves the risk of loss. The risk of loss in futures can be substantial. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for your financial condition. No statement within this webpage should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell a futures contract or as investment advice.

The regular risks associated with trading commodity futures contracts also apply to the trading of Bitcoin futures. Customers choosing to trade Bitcoin futures should consider additional significant risks including, but not limited to: (a) Bitcoin futures contracts have  a limited history of trading on  U.S.-regulated futures exchanges ; (b) The price of the underlying Bitcoin and the indexes on which the futures contracts are based are highly volatile and unpredictable based on many factors; (c) Since a limited number of futures commissions merchants may offer trading in the Bitcoin futures contracts, there might be limited volume that might impact market efficiencies and price movements; and (d) The risk of loss can be substantial and could result in a customer losing more than the initial or maintenance margin requirement.  As such, each customer should conduct his or her own due diligence prior to make a decision to trade in these products.  See the link below from the National Futures Association for more information.

https://www.nfa.futures.org/investors/investor-advisory.html

Additionally, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) has made available a Virtual Currency Resource Web Page designed to educate and inform the public about this topic and its risks.  See the link below for further information from the CFTC.

http://www.cftc.gov/bitcoin/index.html