Quote from Thunderdog:
As we all know, the the contract sizes of the mini indexes are one-fifth the size of their larger counterparts. However, the ES tick size is only half that of the large SP contract ($12.50 vs $25). On the other hand, NQ's tick size is exactly proportionate to that of the larger contract, in that its tick size is one-fifth the size of that of the large contract ($5 vs $25). The mini Russell falls somewhere in between at $10 vs $25, but is almost as disproportionate as ES. (As an aside, the mini Dow's tick size is proportionate to that of the large contract.)
So the question is, would you like to see ES with a $5 tick size?
Personally, I would like to see a $5 tick size so that there is no incongruity with the large contract. (Perhaps that is one of the reasons that I principally trade NQ.) Recently, I spoke with a CME representative, whose name I do not recall. He said that there are no plans to change ES's tick size, certainly not in 2008. For what it's worth, he said that if enough people wanted it, then the matter would be considered more seriously. Therefore, if you agree with me, then perhaps you might wish to similarly voice your sentiments to the CME.
In any event, please vote in this poll to satisfy my curiosity. I know the topic has been raised before in other threads, but I don't believe a poll was ever conducted. Please feel free to add any comments you may have.
Thanks for participating.
Quote from whitster:
"If your not profitable with ES 0.25 ticks, 0.10 ticks is not going to improve your situation."
simply false, and could only be stated by somebody who does not understand math.
the shorter timeframe you are trading/shorter target/stop you are trading, the more advantageous a smaller tick size is.
obviously, if you are gunning for 50 ES handles, it's not an issue.
all my setups are extensively tested, and i can state definitively that some are SIGNIFICANTLY more profitable using the YM vs. ES and that's due to the tick size.
any retail trader who scalps ES is an idiot, when the YM is simply more cost effective. just as it is important to manage risk, it is also important to manage costs. they are extremely closely correlated, so what POSSIBLE advantage is there in trading ES over YM given the fact that you aren't trading size?
some of the most profitable longterm traders simply exploit VERY small edges over and over and over again. and wider spread ERODES those edges.
Quote from Pa(b)st Prime:
Then why not pennies?
Quote from Pa(b)st Prime:
You're fooling yourself. Because you have ABILITY trading YM you're in turn giving the product too much credit. For starters YM's tape is largely predicated upon ES turning. If you're saying you have a "system" that quickly says "buy 37's and sell 42's" then yes perhaps YM provides you a unique setup to ES. Few folks effectively trade like that. For those who do: Trade the biggest, baddest most expensive tick you can. The Dax for instance. Commissions are a huge consideration. It's the same reason I trade SP options more than ES. Paying 4 bucks for a friggin' MINI is a gip enough without the bs tick size.
To rebut costs: If I think the market is going to quickly pop higher a couple of ES points then why buy YM and catch a 14-16pts x $5 when a corresponding ES move will be a hundred dollars?
Besides on 5-10-20 cars the incidence of partial fills is constant in YM. Don't get me wrong. I trade plenty of YM. If YM is strong to tech then I take longs in YM and short NQ on up ticks. Or ES or ER2. All depends. In that regard I actually benefit by the small tick size. But I hate it. To me any single digit dollar tick is sort of minor league.
"Cheap?" I prefer "frugal." I principally trade NQ and have not touched ES for quite a while. NQ actually gives me more frequent and more reliable setups. Further, I have a much better chance of a scratch trade versus a small losing trade with NQ rather than with ES. Granted, that may not be solely due to tick size, but I'm fairly confident that it plays a role. I am an absolute miser when it comes to my losing trades, and smaller tick size helps. While ES may or may not have a greater daily range more often than not, I am more concerned with my risk containment. Capital preservation first, boyo!Quote from volente_00:
Thunder, you sound like my cheap a$$ italian buddy. When I told him to dump amazon at 100 back in 1999 , he held it because he did not want to pay taxes on it. If you are not into scalping ES then why does the tick size really matter ? I believe the wider spread actually helps smooth out the noise and by making it smaller you would end up with a more whipsaw instrument like YM is. Maybe I am an exception, but I never sit on the ask or bid if I want in or out. If you are buying on the bid and it is getting hit, odds are you are wrong on the direction anyway. Why would you want to join the crowd on the bid and ask ?
If that makes me a minor leaguer in Pabst's eyes, then so be it.Fair enough. Since you are virtually indifferent, then please do me a small favor and advise CME that you wish to see a smaller tick size:Quote from nitro:
...Since my trading potentially encompasses both, it makes almost no difference to me.
