Emini Charts with the ‘Better’ indicators. Follow this quick guide to duplicate my Emini charts. The instructions below are for TradeStation, my recommended charting platform, but should be helpful if you use NinjaTrader or MultiCharts instead.
Use these Emini chart data settings …
For Emini day trading you need to be subscribed to TradeStation’s real-time Emini data feed. I subscribe to the CME Data Package #1 that costs $25 per month (as of May 2010). All data subscriptions are controlled by logging into your TradeStation account online and selecting “Add/Remove Data or Features”.
Then I use the @ES TradeStation symbol that plots the Emini continuous contract. For tick charts (e.g. 1,500 tick chart) I plot both day and night sessions – the TradeStation symbol is @ES. For minute charts (e.g. 135 minute chart) I plot just the day session – the TradeStation symbol is @ES.D. The Format Symbol settings for all charts are:
- For volume use “Trade volume”
- Time zone setting is “Exchange”, and
- Under Properties make sure you’re using “Regular Session”
In addition to the real-time Emini data I also follow a number of other markets and indices. I subscribe to real-time data for S&P, CBOE, Russell and PBOT Indices, NASDAQ, NYSE and OPRA. Plus delayed data for CBOT, COMEX and NYMEX.
Real-time Forex data is free on TradeStation. Most of these other data feeds cost $1-2 per month. My total monthly data feed charges are $40. It’s a cost of doing business and part of the entry fee for being a trader – so I live with it.
Use these ‘Better’ indicator settings …
Emini Charts: ‘Better’ Indicator Settings
Each chart has exactly the same indicators with exactly the same settings:
- Better Momentum: UseUpTicks = True, OffsetMulti = 1.5, ProSignalExit = True, FirstDiv = True, Diverg = False, Flush = True
- Better Momentum 2: UseUpTicks = True
- Better Pro Am: ProAm = True, RAMBO = True, NoD = False, ProfitTake = False, StoppingVol = False, ProColor = Blue, AmColor = Yellow, BullishText = Yellow, BearishText = Yellow
- Better Sine Wave: BreakOut = False, PullBack = True, EndOfTrend = True, SupportColor = Red, ResistanceColor = White
- Better Sine Wave 2: None
- Vertical Line Time: Marks beginning of day session at 8:30am CT (link to .ELD)
Click the button below to go to the “Vertical Line Time” indicator that marks the beginning of the day session and download the FREE TradeStation EasyLanguage code.
Note: Indicators update at close of bar, not intra-bar. Better Pro Am replaces Better Volume. Format Window settings include: General > Bar Spacing = 4; Status Line > Show Status Line & Symbol/Interval only; and Style > Show Session Breaks.
And use these multiple time frame Emini charts …
Emini Charts: Multiple Time Frame Settings
I use 3 Emini day trading time frames and set up my charts side-by-side:
- 4,500 tick: used to determine trend
- 1,500 tick: primary time frame for signals
- 500 tick: detailed chart for timing entry
In addition to these 3 charts I also have a set of higher time frame charts that I occasionally check during the day session (labeled “Emini LT” in the image above). The charts are also side-by-side and consist of 40,500, 13,500 and 4,500 tick charts. As you can see, the 4,500 tick chart is duplicated in both groups.
What if my charts don’t match yours?
There could be several reasons why your charts don’t match mine:
- Tick data feeds don’t match between different platforms and data providers. Unfortunately this is just a fact of life. You can find more information at the bottom of the Tick Charts article here.
- Corrupted or compressed historical data saved to your cache. Data feeds can go down, data can “burst” during quick markets and saved data can be corrupted or compressed. Deleting the data cache and re-loading data should help.
- Different time zone or session times settings. Tick charts start counting afresh at the beginning of sessions. This causes differences, particularly in longer time frame tick charts. Stick with the exchange time zone and default session times.
What settings should I use for NQ, YM, TF & EMD charts?
What time frames should you use for day trading the mini-NASDAQ (NQ), mini-Dow (YM), mini-Russell (TF, formerly ER2) or mini-S&P Midcap 400 (EMD)? This video shows how to determine those settings.
Time Frames for NQ, YM & TF Charts (4:05)
In short, all other settings as above but I’d suggest using these time frame charts:
- NQ (mini-NASDAQ): 150, 450 and 1,350 tick bar charts
- YM (mini-Dow): 100, 300 and 900 tick bar charts
- TF (mini-Russell): 100, 300 and 900 tick bar charts
- EMD (mini-S&P Midcap 400): 25, 75 and 225 tick bar charts
I prefer to trade the Emini (ES) because of the higher volume and more Professional activity. You might consider taking signals off the Emini (ES) chart but placing orders on your preferred index futures (NQ, YM, TF or EMD).
What settings should I use for Forex charts?
Chart Forex futures, traded on the CME Globex, instead of the “cash” Forex market. Volume data is included in the CME data feed but is not available for the “cash” market. There is a detailed video on how to use the ‘Better’ indicators for Forex trading here.
For the “cash” Forex market, here are the setting changes I’d suggest making:
- Use minute charts and For volume use “Tick count”
- Better Momentum: UseUpTicks = False
All other settings as above. I hope you found this article on Emini charts helpful.
