Day trading futures on the Russian derivatives market follows 15 straightforward rules that deliver around 120% annual returns with maximum drawdowns up to 40%.
Universal Rules for Day Trading
While I primarily present as a medium-term investor, most of my trading practice focuses on strict day trading speculations. Over the years, as my portfolio grew in absolute terms, the speculative portion shrank. Currently, about 90% of funds are allocated to investments in Russian and foreign stocks, with the rest for speculations on the Russian derivatives market.
Traders often ask why I trade derivatives. At one point, it became more convenient. If choosing now where to speculate, I’m unsure, as stocks now offer larger credits than some futures, without expiration risks. I sometimes consider returning to stocks but prefer mastering derivatives first without spreading focus.
Nevertheless, my day trading strategy on the derivatives market will mark its five-year anniversary in November this year. Results are solid—I avoid official disclosures due to trading breaks—but including gaps, returns approach 120% annually with max drawdowns to 40%.
I often close derivatives trades within one day. Even if you find my results modest for this market, these day trading rules adapt to any timeframe and exchange instruments.
When I Stay Within One Trading Day
- I enter trades against the main trend during day trading.
- When profit between support and resistance levels is too small to hold a week or more (less than 2-2.5%).
What I Trade Intraday
- Futures: Gazprom, Sberbank, RTS, Si.
These day trading rules are universal with adaptation.
How I Trade Intraday
Using classic technical analysis. Its advantage: I can spot ideas anytime without constant monitoring.
Drawback, especially for beginners: handling subjectivity requires experience.
Key Timeframes for Day Trading
Usually 1-hour charts, sometimes 15-minute for RTS index. Avoid 5-minute charts without a robot or advisor generating signals automatically.
15 Simple Day Trading Rules
- Check the trend on the underlying asset.
- Check the main trend on the continuous futures contract.
- Avoid trading one week before and after expiration.
- Dedicate one day for analysis (I skip speculative trades on Fridays). Use weekends if needed.
- Do not open trades with less than 1% profitability.
- Take all trend, Fibonacci, horizontal level, pattern signals I spot.
- If stop-loss triggers, wait 1 hour for the next trade.
- If stop-loss triggers twice, wait 2 hours.
- After three losing trades, stop trading until the next session.
- Do not open trades where risk-to-reward is less than 1:2.
- After a losing trade, require 1:3 risk-to-reward.
- Work no more than 2 futures contracts simultaneously.
- If underlying stocks like Sberbank or Gazprom offer up to 8% net profit potential and futures show matching signals, prioritize the trade. Open with maximum leverage for the day.
- Indicators matter only after the contract trades as main for a month. Use the “three great signals” for full leverage. These are my personal secrets shared only with consulting clients.
- Close trades in the main session by 18:30 MSK. (Note: Terminal allows anytime closure, even away from screen, but I prefer manual. If leaving work at 18:00 MSK, I close 15 minutes early.) Openings matter more than monitoring closures.
These rules share my personal experience from years of day trading. Adapt them to your strategy and share results—curious to see variations. Fair winds!
FAQ
What timeframes work best for these day trading rules?
Primarily 1-hour charts, with 15-minute for RTS index. Avoid 5-minute without automated signals.
How do you manage risk after losses?
After one stop-loss, wait 1 hour; after two, 2 hours; after three losses, stop until next session. Require 1:3 risk-reward post-loss.
Which futures are prioritized in this strategy?
Gazprom and Sberbank futures when underlying stocks show 8% profit potential with matching signals—trade with max leverage.
