Contract Selection and Trading Commission Fees

Why Contract Selection Matters

Choosing the correct trading contract is essential to your performance and execution quality. Using the wrong contract—whether expired, illiquid, or improperly formatted—can result in:

• Poor fill prices

• Delayed execution

• Difficulty entering or exiting trades

• Overall reduced trading performance

Key Things to Know

1. Use the Active Contract

Always trade the currently active contract for your chosen instrument. Outdated contracts often suffer from low liquidity and should be avoided.

Month Code Table:

2. Watch for Contract Expiry

Futures contracts expire on a regular schedule. Be aware of expiration and rollover periods, and transition to the next active contract accordingly.

3. Understand Platform Differences

Contract naming conventions vary by platform:

• Some platforms use abbreviated formats (e.g., ESH5 for March 2025)

• Others use the full year (e.g., ESH2025)
  Make sure you’re using the correct format for your platform.

4. Avoid Continuous Contracts

Symbols like ES1! or NQ1! are for charting only, not for executing trades. Always use the specific month and year contract for live trading.

Best Practices for Contract Selection

• Double-check contract codes before placing trades

• Trade only the current active contract for your instrument

• Monitor and verify rollover dates weekly

• Bookmark tools or dashboards that show the active trading contracts

Common Issues to Avoid

• Trading expired or illiquid contracts

• Confusing charting symbols with executable ones

• Using incorrect contract months or years

• Failing to update your contracts during rollover periods

If you're unsure which contract to use, contact Halcyon Trader Funding support through your dashboard. We're here to help.

Trading Commission Fees

At Halcyon Trader Funding, trading commissions are based on the default (free) membership tier provided by our platform partners. While accessible, this may mean fees are higher than those available through premium platform subscriptions or private brokerage accounts.

What’s Included in Commission Fees

Each round-trip trade (entry and exit) includes:

• Exchange Fees

• NFA Fees

• Clearing Fees

• Platform Commission

These costs are automatically factored in when trades are executed.

Note: Fees vary by product type and are subject to change. Always include commissions in your performance calculations.

General Guidance

• Fees differ by product category (equity futures, metals, energy, currencies, etc.)

• Micro contracts generally have lower fees than standard or mini contracts

• All commission fees are calculated per contract, per round trip

Questions?

For help with contract selection or understanding commission fees, contact our support team through your dashboard.

Proper contract usage and cost awareness are critical for accurate execution and long-term trading success.