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Contract specs, tick value, trading hours and margin requirements for E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures, from an NFA member futures broker in Chicago.
Quick answer: E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures (symbol NQ) are CME Group contracts valued at $20 times the Nasdaq 100 Index. The minimum tick is 0.25 index points, or $5.00 per contract. NQ trades on CME Globex Sunday to Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT, with a daily halt from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, on a quarterly cycle.
The E-mini Nasdaq 100 Futures Contract (NQ) provides exposure to the 100 leading non financial U.S. large cap companies in the Nasdaq 100 Index. With a contract multiplier of $20 per index point, NQ is used by institutional and individual traders. Traders seeking smaller capital commitments can also trade the 1/10th size Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 (MNQ) contract. Review full specifications below or open an account with Lincoln Park Financial.
NQ
CME Globex
$20 x index
Nasdaq 100 Index
$5.00
0.25 index points
5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT
Sunday to Friday, halt 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CT
Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec
H, M, U, Z
Cash settled
Third Friday of the contract month
| Product | E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures |
|---|---|
| Futures Contract Symbol | NQ |
| Exchange | CME |
| Contract Size | $20 x Nasdaq 100 Index |
| Trading Hours | Sunday to Friday: 5:00 PM to 4:00 PM CT (Daily maintenance halt: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CT) |
| Minimum Price Fluctuation | $5.00 per contract (0.25 × $20) |
| Contract Months | Quarterly cycle: March (H), June (M), September (U), December (Z) |
| Settlement Method | Financially cash settled on the third Friday of the contract month. |
| Exchange Fees | $1.40/contract |
Official Exchange Source: CME Group E-mini Nasdaq 100 Contract Specifications
Contract specifications and margin parameters are set by CME Group and subject to change without notice. Lincoln Park Financial delivers personalized broker service and direct market access.
Explore current day trading margins across all index benchmarks on our futures margins page, view transparent broker commissions, or review sister contracts including Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 (MNQ), E-mini S&P 500 (ES), and E-mini Dow (YM).
Ready to trade E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures? Open an account with Lincoln Park Financial today.
Speak with a broker at 312-500-4730, or start your application online.
Emini Nasdaq futures, also searched as Nasdaq emini or e mini Nasdaq, are the E-mini Nasdaq 100 futures contract listed by CME Group. CME Group describes NQ as a benchmark contract to manage exposure to the 100 leading non financial U.S. large cap companies in the Nasdaq 100 Index.
Each NQ contract is $20 times the Nasdaq 100 Index. The minimum tick is 0.25 index points, which equals $5.00 per contract, so one full point equals $20. Calendar spreads trade in 0.05 point increments, equal to $1.00. To see how exchange, clearing and platform costs add up, you can request a custom commission quote.
NQ futures are listed on a quarterly cycle. As the front contract nears expiration, many traders roll into the next quarterly contract, and charting platforms often show a continuous contract that links them together. Real time NQ quotes are CME Group market data, which is part of the CME bundle on most platforms.
Speak with our experienced futures brokers at 312-500-4730 to discuss how we can service your futures trading needs.
