Trading Hours & Margins
Trading schedules and day trade margin requirements for futures contracts across every major asset class.
Contract margins in futures trading refer to the performance bond (or good-faith deposit) that traders must post to open and maintain a futures position. Unlike stocks, futures are leveraged, so margins let you control a large contract value with a small amount of capital. The more leverage/margin used, will increase profit and loss profile for your account.
All times are U.S. Central Time (CT). Margins are subject to change at any time without notice.
The above information was drawn from sources believed to be reliable. Although it is believed that the information provided is accurate, no guarantee is made. ProFuturesTrader (PFT) assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions.
Note:
- Trading hours are in U.S. Central Time, unless otherwise stated.
- Monday-Friday server maintenance is between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm CT. In addition, we do schedule major updates after the close of business Friday through Saturday. The system will be available at a minimum of 1 hour prior to the pre-market open on Sundays.
Liquidation Procedures
In accordance with the margins outlined within FCM contracts of the Customer Agreement and Disclosure Documents, ProFuturesTrader and/or your established FCM reserves the right to liquidate any commodity positions in your account at its SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION without prior notice. Clients are responsible for monitoring their positions and are financially responsible for any losses generated by open positions. This includes any debit balances that may arise.
Without limiting the foregoing, ProFuturesTrader and/or FCM generally liquidates open positions if the client’s equity-to-margin ratio (as defined below) drops below 5%, or the account's Net Liquidating Value (NLV) drops below $500.00 (whichever comes first). For accounts with only micro e-mini futures positions, a liquidation may occur if the client’s equity-to-margin ratio (as defined below) drops below 5% or the Net Liquidating Value (NLV) drops below $75.00 (whichever comes first). In such instances, your account may be locked, open positions may be liquidated, and if our risk management staff liquidates your position due to inaction on your part, a liquidation fee will apply. Some FCMs may charge a liquidation fee and/or charge a fee on margin calls. For details on your specific set-up (FCM), please inquire. Liquidation fees can range from $25-$50 per contract and can add up over time. This is strictly charged by the FCM and NOT by ProFuturesTrader. Warning: There is NO guarantee PFT or the FCM will liquidate the account in case of a market gap; you will have added exposure to debit risk(s) if this arises, which you are responsible for.
Your “Equity-to-Margin ratio” is calculated by dividing your NLV by Initial Margin (IM).
For any customer that entered a position using day-trade margins and has not offset their position prior to 3:45 pm CT, the positions MAY be liquidated.
Looking for full product details? See our contract specifications and trading hours pages.