If you’re new to Futures Trading for Beginners, the world of S&P futures can seem intimidating.
But the truth is: S&P futures (ES and MES) are the best entry point for new traders—thanks to their liquidity, predictability, and educational resources.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start trading S&P futures safely, from choosing the right contract to managing risk, avoiding common mistakes, and building a sustainable trading career.
Why S&P Futures Are Perfect for Beginners
| High Liquidity | Tight spreads, minimal slippage |
| 23-Hour Trading | Trade on your schedule (Globex) |
| Clear Trends | Easier to identify entries and exits |
| Abundant Education | Thousands of free tutorials and webinars |
| Multiple Contract Sizes | ES for larger accounts, MES for beginners |
Unlike volatile commodities or forex pairs, S&P futures move with a rhythm—making them ideal for learning.
The Two S&P Futures Contracts Every Beginner Must Know
1. ES – E-mini S&P 500 Futures
- Contract Size: 50 x S&P 500 Index
- Tick Value: 0.25 index points = $12.50
- Notional Value: ~$275,000 (at 5,500 index level)
- Margin Requirement: $12,000–$15,000
✅ Best For: Traders with $25K+ accounts
2. MES – Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures
- Contract Size: 5 x S&P 500 Index
- Tick Value: 0.25 index points = $1.25
- Notional Value: ~$27,500
- Margin Requirement: $1,200–$1,800
✅ Best For: Beginners, small accounts, strategy testing
💡 Key Insight: MES is 1/10th the size of ES—but tracks the same price action.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Trading S&P Futures as a Beginner
Step 1: Learn the Basics
- Understand tick value, margin, and leverage
- Study market hours: 6:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET (CME Globex)
- Learn key sessions:
- 9:30–11:30 AM EST: High momentum
- 12–2 PM EST: Choppy, low edge
- 3–4 PM EST: Close positioning
Step 2: Paper Trade for 1–3 Months
Use Thinkorswim or NinjaTrader to:
- Practice entries and exits
- Test risk management
- Learn session rhythms
✅ Goal: Complete 50+ paper trades with consistent risk.
Step 3: Start Small with MES
- Trade 1–2 MES contracts
- Risk 1% of account per trade
- Aim for 1:2 or 1:3 risk-reward
Step 4: Focus on High-Probability Setups
- Trade pullbacks in strong trends
- Use moving averages (9 EMA, 20 EMA) as dynamic support
- Confirm with volume and price action
Step 5: Avoid Common Beginner Mistakes
- Overtrading → Trade only 1–3 times per day
- Revenge trading → Stop after 3 losses
- Holding through news → Close before FOMC, NFP
- Ignoring margin calls → Monitor account balance
Sample Beginner Trading Plan
| Contract | MES |
| Session | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST |
| Risk per Trade | $25 (1% of $2,500 account) |
| Stop-Loss | 4 ticks ($5) |
| Take-Profit | 8–12 ticks ($10–$15) |
| Max Daily Loss | $75 (3 trades) |
📊 Result: Even with a 50% win rate, this plan is profitable.
Final Thoughts
S&P futures are the perfect training ground.
But only if you start small, trade slow, and learn deeply.
Use MES to build confidence.
Scale to ES as your account grows.
And never stop learning.
Because in Futures Trading for Beginners, survival beats brilliance.