Currency Futures and Index Futures Deliver in the US Session
Currency futures and index futures often deliver strong moves in the US session. Overlap with New York brings high liquidity. Volume surges create clear trends and breakouts. Traders find reliable opportunities here.
Currency futures and index futures really delivered in the US sessions ahead of the key FOMC release later in the day with the US dollar rising strongly and indices falling in Globex. On Tradestation Global using 9.5 and the Interactive Brokers feed, this was all too evident across currency futures with a sea of red on Radarscreen.
Volume Price Analysis in the US Session
Volume price analysis (VPA) shines during US hours. High volume on futures moves shows conviction. Currency futures like 6E (euro) or 6B (pound) react to dollar flows. Index futures like ES or YM capture equity sentiment. Quantum indicators on NinjaTrader highlight these signals.
Why This Session Stands Out
US session volatility rewards prepared traders. Watch for continuation from London or fresh impulses. Quantum tools spot accumulation and distribution early. Anna Coulling’s VPA approach confirms high-probability setups in futures.
Currency and index futures deliver consistently in the US session. Use Quantum indicators for confident trading during overlap hours.
Currency Futures Trading: Not for Beginners – Start with Spot FX Instead
Currency futures offer leveraged exposure to forex moves. Contracts like 6E (euro) or 6J (yen) track majors. They trade on exchanges like CME. But they are not for beginners. Large contract sizes and requirements make them advanced. Start with spot FX for safer learning.
Why Currency Futures Are Not Beginner-Friendly
Currency futures are standardised contracts. One standard lot is large (e.g., 125,000 euros for 6E). Tick values are high ($12.50 per tick). This amplifies gains—and losses. Margins are significant. A futures broker account is required. Approval involves risk disclosures.
Beginners face a high risk. One bad trade can wipe out accounts. Volatility in futures is intense. No tight retail spreads like spot.
Advantages of Starting with Spot FX
Spot forex is simpler and safer for new traders:
- Smaller Positions: Micro lots (1,000 units) allow low risk.
- No Exchange Fees: Retail brokers offer tight spreads.
- Easy Access: Standard forex account—no special futures approval.
- 24/5 Trading: Same as futures, but lower capital needed.
- VPA Clarity: Reliable tick volume for analysis. Quantum indicators work perfectly.
Spot FX lets you master volume price analysis (VPA) first. High volume on moves confirms conviction. Build discipline before scaling to futures.
When to Move to Currency Futures
Once comfortable with spot:
- Use micros if available.
- Focus on majors for liquidity.
- Apply VPA—high volume confirms trends.
Anna Coulling’s VPA methodology starts with spot. Quantum tools on MT5 or NinjaTrader prepare you for futures.
Currency futures are powerful but advanced. Start with spot FX for low-risk learning. Master VPA there first. Quantum indicators deliver the edge across both.
By Anna Coulling
Creator of Volume Price Analysis