Futures Contracts Trading Guides
Contract specifications, session breakdowns, key institutional levels, and AQS indicator strategies for every major CME Group futures market.
AQS indicators monitor 5 correlated futures markets simultaneously — NQ, ES, YM, GC, and CL. Understanding each contract's unique microstructure, session dynamics, and inter-market relationships is essential for maximizing Alpha Regime's multi-market classification accuracy.
Contract Comparison
Side-by-side specs for quick reference.
| Feature | NQ | ES | GC | CL | YM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tick Value | $5.00 (NQ) / $0.50 (MNQ) | $12.50 (ES) / $1.25 (MES) | $10.00 (GC) / $1.00 (MGC) | $10.00 (CL) / $1.00 (MCL) | $5.00 (YM) / $0.50 (MYM) |
| Point Value | $20.00 (NQ) / $2.00 (MNQ) | $50.00 (ES) / $5.00 (MES) | $100.00 (GC) / $10.00 (MGC) | $1,000.00 (CL) / $100.00 (MCL) | $5.00 (YM) / $0.50 (MYM) |
| Micro Symbol | MNQ | MES | MGC | MCL | MYM |
| Micro Tick Value | $0.50 per tick (MNQ) | $1.25 per tick (MES) | $1.00 per tick (MGC) | $1.00 per tick (MCL) | $0.50 per tick (MYM) |
| Exchange | CME Globex | CME Globex | COMEX (CME Group) | NYMEX (CME Group) | CBOT (CME Group) |
| Settlement | Cash-settled (no physical delivery) | Cash-settled | Physical delivery (most traders roll before expiration) | Physical delivery (roll before expiration to avoid delivery) | Cash-settled |
Complete Contract Guides
Contract specs, session breakdowns, institutional key levels, prop firm considerations, and AQS indicator strategies.
NQ / MNQ
CME Globex
Complete NQ Nasdaq 100 E-mini futures trading guide. Contract specs, session breakdown, key levels, prop firm strategy, and how AQS NinjaTrader 8 indicators are calibrated for NQ.
ES / MES
CME Globex
Complete ES S&P 500 E-mini futures trading guide. Contract specs, session analysis, VWAP strategies, prop firm considerations, and how AQS NinjaTrader 8 indicators optimize ES execution.
GC / MGC
COMEX (CME Group)
Complete GC gold futures trading guide. Contract specs, London fix sessions, regime detection, prop firm strategy, and how AQS NinjaTrader 8 indicators detect gold's institutional order flow.
CL / MCL
NYMEX (CME Group)
Complete CL crude oil futures trading guide. Contract specs, EIA inventory strategy, regime detection, prop firm risk management, and how AQS NinjaTrader 8 indicators handle CL's extreme volatility.
YM / MYM
CBOT (CME Group)
Complete YM Dow Jones E-mini futures trading guide. Contract specs, session analysis, regime detection role, prop firm strategy, and how AQS NinjaTrader 8 indicators leverage YM's cross-market signals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best futures contract for day trading?
What are micro futures and should I use them?
What indicators work best for futures trading?
Trade All 5 Markets with AQS Indicators
Alpha Regime monitors NQ, ES, YM, GC, and CL simultaneously. One subscription. All 4 indicators. Hardware-locked to your NinjaTrader 8 instance.