What Are Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures?
Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures (MES) are a smaller-sized version of the popular E-mini S&P 500 Futures contract. These contracts are designed for traders seeking exposure to the S&P 500 Index but with reduced financial commitment and lower margin requirements. Perfect for retail traders, MES contracts allow you to fine-tune your trading strategies and manage risk more effectively.
Trading Hours
The Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures contract trades nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week, giving traders around-the-clock access to the market.
- Trading Hours: Sunday to Friday, 5:00 PM to 4:00 PM CT (with a 1-hour daily trading halt from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CT).
- Time Zone: Central Time (CT).
Tick Value and Increment
- Tick Size: 0.25 index points.
- Tick Value: $1.25 per tick.
- Minimum Price Fluctuation: 0.25 points.
This makes the Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures ideal for precision trading with lower financial exposure compared to larger contracts.
Trading Symbol
- Platform Symbol: MES
Margins
To trade Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures, you’ll need to meet specific margin requirements. Check out Ironbeam’s Margins Page for the latest margin rates and details.
Why Trade Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures?
- Accessibility: Lower margins and smaller contract size make MES accessible to retail traders.
- Flexibility: Fine-tune your position sizing compared to standard E-mini contracts.
- Liquidity: Benefit from the same deep liquidity as larger contracts.
- Diversification: Gain direct exposure to the S&P 500 Index, one of the most widely followed benchmarks for the U.S. stock market.
Start Trading MES with Ironbeam
Ironbeam provides a robust trading platform and API to help you access Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures with ease. Trade confidently with free real-time Level 2 market data and personal broker support.
DISCLAIMER: There is a substantial risk of loss in trading commodity futures and options products. Losses in excess of your initial investment may occur. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Please contact your account representative with concerns or questions.