Title Details

Preface.

About the Contributors.

Chapter 1: Futures: The Investment for the Twenty-First Century (Mark Sachs).

Historical Roots.

What Futures Are.

What Futures Are Not.

Who Trades Futures?

Making Your Choice.

Chapter 2: Becoming a Futures Trader (Dan McMullin).

Trading Decision Issues.

Fundamental Analysis Highlights.

Technical Analysis Highlights.

Putting It All Together.

Chapter 3: Trading with a Broker as a Partner (Jim Gombas).

What a Broker Can Offer.

Options versus Futures.

Market Should Fit Strategy.

Paper Trading, Back-Testing.

Chapter 4: Letting the Pros Trade Your Account (Carol Dannenhauer).

Why Managed Futures?

Where Do You Start?

Evaluating Trading Programs.

Investing in Managed Futures.

Chapter 5: Using an Auto-Executing Trading System (Herb Kral).

Why an Auto-Executing Trading System?

Look at Yourself First.

What to Look for in a Trading System.

Why “Successful” Systems May Fail.

Summing up Systems.

Chapter 6: Resources for the Self-Directed Trader (David Howe).

Brokerage Firm Choice.

Trading Platform.

Trading Support Tools.

Match Resources to Your Needs.

Chapter 7: Knowing Your Margins and Marching Orders (Greg Gulotta).

Trading on Margin.

Order Types.

Placing Orders.

Tips about Trading Mechanics.

Connectivity Issues and Questions.

Chapter 8: Futures: Diverse Markets You Can Trade (Susan Abbott Gidel).

Equity-Based Futures.

Financial Instruments.

Commodities.

Chapter 9: Options on Futures: A Flexible Trading Tool (Dan McMullin).

Issues to Consider When Investing in Futures Options.

Mechanics of Futures Options.

Basic Futures Options Strategies.

Chapter 10: Forex: Another Opportunity for Traders (Phillip Fondren).

What Is the Forex Market?

Exchange Rates and Central Banks.

The Trading Instrument.

Spot Market versus Futures Market.

Electronic Trading.

Costs of Trading.

Chapter 11: Deciding to Trade (Mark Sachs).

The Money Factor.

Time for Trading.

Knowing the Market.

Who Are You?

Your Trading Plan.

Picking a Brokerage Firm.

Chapter 12 Opening an Account (Nancy Westwick).

Opening Account Information.

Risk Disclosures.

Type of Account.

Power of Attorney.

Customer Identification (Patriot Act Requirements).

Single-Stock Futures.

Account Funding Requirements.

Margin Calls.

Resolving Disputes.

Chapter 13: The Tax Factor for Traders (Philip Silverman).

Section 1256 Contracts.

How to Report Gains or Losses.

Special Considerations.

Chapter 14: The Business of Futures: Who Does What (Laura Oatney).

Regulatory Structure.

Futures Exchanges.

Clearinghouses.

Futures Industry Professionals.

APPENDIX A: Domestic and International Futures Contract Volume.

APPENDIX B: Futures Contract Specifications.

APPENDIX C: Speculative Margins.

Glossary.

Index.