Rolling Forward A Futures Position

T

tlopez51

Anyone trading with a broker besides TD (thinkorswim) that allows closing off a near term, possibly expiring futures position, and simultaneously opening the same number of contracts in a further expiration month (calendar roll)?
 
All brokers will allow you to do as you please. Are you asking if their software makes it easier or allows you to do it more precisely?
 
Quote from Swan Noir:

All brokers will allow you to do as you please. Are you asking if their software makes it easier or allows you to do it more precisely?
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Other than TD Ameritrade (thinkorswim) I am find it very difficult to find a broker that allows you to roll to the same single future contract(s) from expiration to the next or calendar spread as it is the more appropriate platform functionality. I trade with TD and AMP Futures/NinjaTrader/CQG. TD's thinkorswim platform has this capability built-in but AMP won't allow it and other brokers I've asked have told me the same. However, did stumbled upon two such brokers that claim they allow rolling futures but have yet to explain the how and on which platform since I know NinjaTrader 7 does not support doing such a thing.

Would like to hear from some IB, FCM, etc., step up to the plate on this topic. Anyone?

So much for being able to trade the way you want as it is advertised by so many. Just one more intrussive obstruction IMO or to better put it, another kink in the armor for the retail investor.

Greed is good.

Trade the tastytrade.com way.
 
Your initial post made it sound as if you owned the position as an "outright" trade. This last post sounds like you want to avail yourself of SPAN margin. Can you be more (as in VERY specific) about the trade?


Quote from tlopez51:

Other than TD Ameritrade (thinkorswim) I am find it very difficult to find a broker that allows you to roll to the same single future contract(s) from expiration to the next or calendar spread as it is the more appropriate platform functionality. I trade with TD and AMP Futures/NinjaTrader/CQG. TD's thinkorswim platform has this capability built-in but AMP won't allow it and other brokers I've asked have told me the same. However, did stumbled upon two such brokers that claim they allow rolling futures but have yet to explain the how and on which platform since I know NinjaTrader 7 does not support doing such a thing.

Would like to hear from some IB, FCM, etc., step up to the plate on this topic. Anyone?

So much for being able to trade the way you want as it is advertised by so many. Just one more intrussive obstruction IMO or to better put it, another kink in the armor for the retail investor.

Greed is good.

Trade the tastytrade.com way.
More...
 
"Roll Forward"... pay the commission to close out current, then pay the commission to open new positions.

If you're concerned about the financial impact of "saving commissions on a rollover", you're fishing in a dry hole, anyway.
 
Quote from Scataphagos:

"Roll Forward"... pay the commission to close out current, then pay the commission to open new positions.

If you're concerned about the financial impact of "saving commissions on a rollover", you're fishing in a dry hole, anyway.
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You misunderstand my original question. I have no problems with paying commissions, etc., blah, blah, blah. Closing out an ES position that you may be long much higher than current market and then opening a new one at the prevailing price, let's say as an example lower by 80 points, is not the same as a calendar move whereas you get to keep the same position opened to in effect extend the time period you are in that contract.

Here's a link that explains what a Roll Forward is all about: http://www.futurestradingpedia.com/futures_roll_forward.htm
 
Quote from Swan Noir:

Your initial post made it sound as if you owned the position as an "outright" trade. This last post sounds like you want to avail yourself of SPAN margin. Can you be more (as in VERY specific) about the trade?
More...

I did. A true trade scenario is given in reponse to Scataphagos and for anyone who believes this is all made up story. If you reacall last week's FOMC announcement on Wednesday. I was long on the ES from a few weeks earlier as the market began to creep lower and trade going against me. On last Wednesday in the AM EST I rolled my contracts from /ESZ3 to /ESH4 before the Ben Bernanke speech at 2:00PM EST. Had I had a crystal ball, it would not have been necessary to roll but I never go that deep into the expiration week of any option much less a future contract but I did. I was not caught in what turned out to be short covering. Bears, getting caught with your panties down. In either case, I was prepared for the trade to go further and deeper against me but because the market reversed course, so did all my trades. There you have as true as apple pie can be. Any questions?
 
Do you really believe a piece of software -- a platform -- offered by a particular brokerage is able to get you into March ES from December ES and save you x number of ticks if the two markets are x number of ticks apart?



Quote from tlopez51:

You misunderstand my original question. I have no problems with paying commissions, etc., blah, blah, blah. Closing out an ES position that you may be long much higher than current market and then opening a new one at the prevailing price, let's say as an example lower by 80 points, is not the same as a calendar move whereas you get to keep the same position opened to in effect extend the time period you are in that contract.

Here's a link that explains what a Roll Forward is all about: http://www.futurestradingpedia.com/futures_roll_forward.htm
More...
 
NO and YES. I think the "thinkorswim" platform is lightyears ahead of the competition. Trading with TD you do not have to close out your positions, whether for a loss or profit, just because expiration forces you. Why do it if you don't have to? Is that simple. Is there something wrong with speculation trading or long term trading? Staying either long or short on a position for an extended period of time is nothing new.

Bottom line. I am looking only for a simple YES you can or NO you cannot from any brokerage firm or trader that wishes to answer the post I placed here. If someone wants my business they have to earn it! I don't believe in giving away any edge just to trade with XYZ because they happen to be the popular choice of the day/month/year. I believe the house already has way too much of an edge.

As for me, if I cannot put my hard earned money to work the way I want to do it, then I simply won't give you my business.
 
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