Quote from Don Bright:
You can be market neutral by trading pairs and mergers...stop from getting stuck in the wrong direction. Futures is pure directional (unless you're $$ hedging stocks of course, perhaps program trading).
Futures are a "zero sum game" where stocks are not. You have a loser for every winner in futures, whereas in stocks you could buy stock from me and we could both "win". Dividends, company earnings, etc. add to the "sum" of the game.
Not really sure how futures trading is any more of a zero sum game than stocks. I don't see how in theory how earnings and dividends change the nature of the game.
I'm looking to get into stocks for diversification only. Otherwise futures are great. lower commisions, no uptick rule, cross margining. Just like stocks can be directionaly or not.
No surprise that everyone thinks what they trade is better.