Max Number of Contracts for Retail Traders?

Anyone know what the general limit is in terms of max contracts held at one time for retail traders who use basic platforms like ETrade?

I'm assuming a singe contract type, not a portfolio of different contracts.

Thanks

 

Margins are the main constraint, then it is up to the risk dept. at Etrade and then there are reporting limits by the CFTC.

Let me know specific contract and i can assist.

 

Generally, the industry has considered 200+ securities options, where a large position report is required to be as non-retail. Traditionally it's the metric used for retail vs. institutional. OPRA does not have a specific code for retail or institutional. It does carry other identifying codes.

 

For futures, you need to check at each exchange.
For CME:
https://www.cmegroup.com/rulebook/files/position-limits-cme.xlsx

 

Didn't see it in the spreadsheet, but the last time I saw a posted number for "max position size", it was 20,000 contracts.

 

Yep.
'Retail Traders' and 'position limits' usually don't go in the same sentence...

 

Call E*Trade and ask them? That seems to be the most logical thing to do.

 

I'd guess 999. Can't imagine a broker whats any retail person trading above 1000 lots... unless they have long term relationship with them. Just a guess though.

 

It also depends on the instrument. For example, I know that the ES has a much higher aggregate limit than the meat futures.

 

Max number is what I hold before my wife starts calling her boyfriend.