Online Futures

[Groty]

I've visited the CBOT and CME sites and have names of several online futures brokers, but I don't personally know anybody who has first hand experience with any of the sites.

Timely and accurate order execution are high priorities, but I'd also like to trade through a site that offers some analytic functions, similar to what Bloomberg offers.

Anybody have good suggestions?

[eastbay]

[ QUOTE ]
I've visited the CBOT and CME sites and have names of several online futures brokers, but I don't personally know anybody who has first hand experience with any of the sites.

Timely and accurate order execution are high priorities, but I'd also like to trade through a site that offers some analytic functions, similar to what Bloomberg offers.

Anybody have good suggestions?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably want to start here:

http://www.elitetrader.com/br/

The signal to noise isn't great but it's a starting point.

You haven't said much about your requirements. Do you want charting, automation, an API, backtesting, paper trading, simulation, what?

eastbay

[gotme]

Hey mate,

I'm a futures trader by profession.

Check out:

Interactive Brokers www.interactivebrokers.com
Velocity Futures www.velocityfutures.com

These two are great brokers. If you want to trade on the CME, CBOT or Eurex then the X-Trader platform which Velocity offers is the best software available.

IB offers more exchanges as well as Forex, stocks etc.

You need to be 21 to open a futures account with IB.

For "analytic services" you can use a charting program which grabs the information from the IB datafeed (I forget what this program is called, check elitetrader) or you can use something like ESignal or CQG which are great charting packages, expensive though.

For a cheap Eurex charting software check out Pro Real Time.

I rambled, but I hope this helps. PM me if you need any more info.

[Groty]

I'm toying with the idea of resignng from the hedge fund I work at and just trade my own money....the desicion isn't final yet...alot of things to consider.

Anyway, I love the analytics and functionality of Bloomberg, but it is pricier than I want to pay so I'm trying to find alternatives. Your suggestions should help get me started.

Thanks to you both for your responses.

[Timer]

www.tradestation.com