How to Start Day Trading in Gold

The value of gold fluctuates from moment to moment, as it trades on public exchanges where it has a price that is determined by supply and demand. While you don't eat it or drink it, people are attracted to gold. It's been used as a currency because it doesn't corrode, and the material allows for some absorption of light creating that yellow glow.

The reasons people buy or sell gold--creating the demand and supply flow--can be pure speculation, to acquire or distribute physical gold, and as a hedge for commercial application. For day traders, the purpose of trading gold is to profit from its daily price movements.

Futures Markets

Day trading gold is speculating on its short-term price movements. Physical gold is not actually handled or taken possession of, rather the transa*ctions take place electronically and only profits or losses are reflected in the trading account.

There are a number of ways to trade gold. The main way is through a futures contract. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell something--like gold--at a future date. Buying a gold futures contract doesn't mean you actually have to take possession of the physical commodity.

Day traders close out all contracts (trades) each day and make a profit b*ased on the difference between the price they bought the contract and the price they sold it at. Gold futures trade on COMEX. There is a standard gold future (GC) which represents 100 troy ounces of gold, and a micro gold future (MGC), which represents 10 troy ounces. 

On the futures exchange, gold moves in  

The value of gold fluctuates from moment to moment, as it trades on public exchanges where it has a price that is determined by supply and demand. While you don't eat it or drink it, people are attracted to gold. It's been used as a currency because it doesn't corrode, and the material allows for some absorption of light creating that yellow glow.

The reasons people buy or sell gold--creating the demand and supply flow--can be pure speculation, to acquire or distribute physical gold, and as a hedge for commercial application. For day traders, the purpose of trading gold is to profit from its daily price movements.

Futures Markets

Day trading gold is speculating on its short-term price movements. Physical gold is not actually handled or taken possession of, rather the transa*ctions take place electronically and only profits or losses are reflected in the trading account.

There are a number of ways to trade gold. The main way is through a futures contract. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell something--like gold--at a future date. Buying a gold futures contract doesn't mean you actually have to take possession of the physical commodity.

Day traders close out all contracts (trades) each day and make a profit b*ased on the difference between the price they bought the contract and the price they sold it at. Gold futures trade on COMEX. There is a standard gold future (GC) which represents 100 troy ounces of gold, and a micro gold future (MGC), which represents 10 troy ounces. 

On the futures exchange, gold moves in $0.10 increments only. This increment is called a "tick"--it is the smallest movement a futures contract can make. If you buy or sell a futures contract, how many ticks the price moves away from your entry price determines your profit or loss. To calculate your profit or loss (your trading platform will also show you, but it is good to understand how it works) you'll first need to know the tick value of the contract you are trading.

Gold Futures

The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold futures contract will depend on your futures broker. NinjaTrader for example requires you have $1,000 in your account to open a position for one E-Mini Gold Futures contract. You also need enough in the account to accommodate for potential losses. 

For a day trade of a standard Gold Futures (GC) contract, you need $2,000 in your account, plus additional funds to accommodate losses.3 The amount required by your broker to open a day trading position is called Intra-day margin; it varies by the broker and is subject to change. 

These figures assume you are day trading and closing out positions before the market closes each day. If you hold positions overnight, you are subject to Initial Margin and Maintenance Margin requirements, which will require you have more money in your account. 

Day Trading Gold, ETFs and/or Stock Market

Another way to day trade gold is through a fund which trades on a stock exchange, like the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD). If you have a stock trading account, you can trade the price movements in gold.

The trust holds gold in reserve, and therefore, its value is reflective of the price of gold. The price of the SPDR Gold Trust is approximately 1/10 of the price of gold.4 So if gold futures are trading at $1500, then the Gold Trust will trade at approximately $150.

The trust trades like any stock. The minimum price movement is $0.01, therefore you make or lose $0.01 for each share you own each time the price changes by a penny. Stocks and ETFs are typically traded in 100 share blocks (called round lots) so if the price moves a penny and you are holding 100 shares, you make or lose $1.

If the price moves $1, from $120 to $121, you make or lose $100 on your 100 share position. If you are holding 500 shares, you make or lose $500 on that same price move. The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold ETF depends on the price of the ETF, your leverage, and position size. 

For a day trade of stocks or ETFs in the US, you're required to have a $25,000 minimum balance in your account.5 Depending on how much income you want to generate and your leverage, you may wish to have more than $25,000 available to you.  .10 increments only. This increment is called a "tick"--it is the smallest movement a futures contract can make. If you buy or sell a futures contract, how many ticks the price moves away from your entry price determines your profit or loss. To calculate your profit or loss (your trading platform will also show you, but it is good to understand how it works) you'll first need to know the tick value of the contract you are trading.

Gold Futures

The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold futures contract will depend on your futures broker. NinjaTrader for example requires you have ,000 in your account to open a position for one E-Mini Gold Futures contract. You also need enough in the account to accommodate for potential losses. 

For a day trade of a standard Gold Futures (GC) contract, you need ,000 in your account, plus additional funds to accommodate losses.3 The amount required by your broker to open a day trading position is called Intra-day margin; it varies by the broker and is subject to change. 

These figures assume you are day trading and closing out positions before the market closes each day. If you hold positions overnight, you are subject to Initial Margin and Maintenance Margin requirements, which will require you have more money in your account. 

Day Trading Gold, ETFs and/or Stock Market

Another way to day trade gold is through a fund which trades on a stock exchange, like the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD). If you have a stock trading account, you can trade the price movements in gold.

The trust holds gold in reserve, and therefore, its value is reflective of the price of gold. The price of the SPDR Gold Trust is approximately 1/10 of the price of gold.4 So if gold futures are trading at 00, then the Gold Trust will trade at approximately 0.

The trust trades like any stock. The minimum price movement is  

The value of gold fluctuates from moment to moment, as it trades on public exchanges where it has a price that is determined by supply and demand. While you don't eat it or drink it, people are attracted to gold. It's been used as a currency because it doesn't corrode, and the material allows for some absorption of light creating that yellow glow.

The reasons people buy or sell gold--creating the demand and supply flow--can be pure speculation, to acquire or distribute physical gold, and as a hedge for commercial application. For day traders, the purpose of trading gold is to profit from its daily price movements.

Futures Markets

Day trading gold is speculating on its short-term price movements. Physical gold is not actually handled or taken possession of, rather the transa*ctions take place electronically and only profits or losses are reflected in the trading account.

There are a number of ways to trade gold. The main way is through a futures contract. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell something--like gold--at a future date. Buying a gold futures contract doesn't mean you actually have to take possession of the physical commodity.

Day traders close out all contracts (trades) each day and make a profit b*ased on the difference between the price they bought the contract and the price they sold it at. Gold futures trade on COMEX. There is a standard gold future (GC) which represents 100 troy ounces of gold, and a micro gold future (MGC), which represents 10 troy ounces. 

On the futures exchange, gold moves in $0.10 increments only. This increment is called a "tick"--it is the smallest movement a futures contract can make. If you buy or sell a futures contract, how many ticks the price moves away from your entry price determines your profit or loss. To calculate your profit or loss (your trading platform will also show you, but it is good to understand how it works) you'll first need to know the tick value of the contract you are trading.

Gold Futures

The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold futures contract will depend on your futures broker. NinjaTrader for example requires you have $1,000 in your account to open a position for one E-Mini Gold Futures contract. You also need enough in the account to accommodate for potential losses. 

For a day trade of a standard Gold Futures (GC) contract, you need $2,000 in your account, plus additional funds to accommodate losses.3 The amount required by your broker to open a day trading position is called Intra-day margin; it varies by the broker and is subject to change. 

These figures assume you are day trading and closing out positions before the market closes each day. If you hold positions overnight, you are subject to Initial Margin and Maintenance Margin requirements, which will require you have more money in your account. 

Day Trading Gold, ETFs and/or Stock Market

Another way to day trade gold is through a fund which trades on a stock exchange, like the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD). If you have a stock trading account, you can trade the price movements in gold.

The trust holds gold in reserve, and therefore, its value is reflective of the price of gold. The price of the SPDR Gold Trust is approximately 1/10 of the price of gold.4 So if gold futures are trading at $1500, then the Gold Trust will trade at approximately $150.

The trust trades like any stock. The minimum price movement is $0.01, therefore you make or lose $0.01 for each share you own each time the price changes by a penny. Stocks and ETFs are typically traded in 100 share blocks (called round lots) so if the price moves a penny and you are holding 100 shares, you make or lose $1.

If the price moves $1, from $120 to $121, you make or lose $100 on your 100 share position. If you are holding 500 shares, you make or lose $500 on that same price move. The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold ETF depends on the price of the ETF, your leverage, and position size. 

For a day trade of stocks or ETFs in the US, you're required to have a $25,000 minimum balance in your account.5 Depending on how much income you want to generate and your leverage, you may wish to have more than $25,000 available to you.  .01, therefore you make or lose  

The value of gold fluctuates from moment to moment, as it trades on public exchanges where it has a price that is determined by supply and demand. While you don't eat it or drink it, people are attracted to gold. It's been used as a currency because it doesn't corrode, and the material allows for some absorption of light creating that yellow glow.

The reasons people buy or sell gold--creating the demand and supply flow--can be pure speculation, to acquire or distribute physical gold, and as a hedge for commercial application. For day traders, the purpose of trading gold is to profit from its daily price movements.

Futures Markets

Day trading gold is speculating on its short-term price movements. Physical gold is not actually handled or taken possession of, rather the transa*ctions take place electronically and only profits or losses are reflected in the trading account.

There are a number of ways to trade gold. The main way is through a futures contract. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell something--like gold--at a future date. Buying a gold futures contract doesn't mean you actually have to take possession of the physical commodity.

Day traders close out all contracts (trades) each day and make a profit b*ased on the difference between the price they bought the contract and the price they sold it at. Gold futures trade on COMEX. There is a standard gold future (GC) which represents 100 troy ounces of gold, and a micro gold future (MGC), which represents 10 troy ounces. 

On the futures exchange, gold moves in $0.10 increments only. This increment is called a "tick"--it is the smallest movement a futures contract can make. If you buy or sell a futures contract, how many ticks the price moves away from your entry price determines your profit or loss. To calculate your profit or loss (your trading platform will also show you, but it is good to understand how it works) you'll first need to know the tick value of the contract you are trading.

Gold Futures

The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold futures contract will depend on your futures broker. NinjaTrader for example requires you have $1,000 in your account to open a position for one E-Mini Gold Futures contract. You also need enough in the account to accommodate for potential losses. 

For a day trade of a standard Gold Futures (GC) contract, you need $2,000 in your account, plus additional funds to accommodate losses.3 The amount required by your broker to open a day trading position is called Intra-day margin; it varies by the broker and is subject to change. 

These figures assume you are day trading and closing out positions before the market closes each day. If you hold positions overnight, you are subject to Initial Margin and Maintenance Margin requirements, which will require you have more money in your account. 

Day Trading Gold, ETFs and/or Stock Market

Another way to day trade gold is through a fund which trades on a stock exchange, like the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD). If you have a stock trading account, you can trade the price movements in gold.

The trust holds gold in reserve, and therefore, its value is reflective of the price of gold. The price of the SPDR Gold Trust is approximately 1/10 of the price of gold.4 So if gold futures are trading at $1500, then the Gold Trust will trade at approximately $150.

The trust trades like any stock. The minimum price movement is $0.01, therefore you make or lose $0.01 for each share you own each time the price changes by a penny. Stocks and ETFs are typically traded in 100 share blocks (called round lots) so if the price moves a penny and you are holding 100 shares, you make or lose $1.

If the price moves $1, from $120 to $121, you make or lose $100 on your 100 share position. If you are holding 500 shares, you make or lose $500 on that same price move. The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold ETF depends on the price of the ETF, your leverage, and position size. 

For a day trade of stocks or ETFs in the US, you're required to have a $25,000 minimum balance in your account.5 Depending on how much income you want to generate and your leverage, you may wish to have more than $25,000 available to you.  .01 for each share you own each time the price changes by a penny. Stocks and ETFs are typically traded in 100 share blocks (called round lots) so if the price moves a penny and you are holding 100 shares, you make or lose .

If the price moves , from 0 to 1, you make or lose 0 on your 100 share position. If you are holding 500 shares, you make or lose 0 on that same price move. The amount you need in your account to day trade a gold ETF depends on the price of the ETF, your leverage, and position size. 

For a day trade of stocks or ETFs in the US, you're required to have a ,000 minimum balance in your account.5 Depending on how much income you want to generate and your leverage, you may wish to have more than ,000 available to you.