What ETFs are and how they differ from mutual funds and stocks

The different types of ETFs: index, sector, commodity, inverse, leveraged, and more

How ETF pricing works: NAV vs. market price and liquidity considerations

Strategies for using ETFs in investing and trading

Risks associated with ETFs and how to evaluate them effectively

What scalping is and how it fits into the spectrum of trading styles

How to identify high-probability scalping setups using technical indicators

Tools and platforms best suited for fast execution

Risk and money management strategies to survive and thrive

How to build a repeatable, disciplined scalping routine

The fundamentals of swing trading and how it differs from day and long-term trading

How to identify trade setups using technical indicators and chart patterns

Entry and exit strategies based on support/resistance, trends, and momentum

Risk management techniques for protecting capital during volatile moves

How to develop and test a swing trading strategy that fits your style

What is a trading plan?

A trading plan is a business plan for your trading career. Like any business plan, a trading plan is a working document in which you make assumptions about projected costs, revenues, and business conditions. Some of your assumptions may be right, some will surely be wrong. You wouldn't start a business without a business plan, so why would you start trading without a trading plan?

The real value in writing a trading plan is that it forces you to think about every part of your trading business, including confronting your strengths and weaknesses, and formulating reasonable expectations.

Any solid trading plan consists of the following five components. There are no shortcuts to developing a trading plan that will support your objectives. Take the time now to think about each of these components thoroughly and you will thank yourself later.

Chapter 1 Expanding your Futures Knowledge: Use the trade plan to reinforce your knowledge of futures trading. Use pages 3-7 and page 13 to think about the futures products you are interested in and what information you need to know and record this information.

Chapter 2 Take your trade plan to the next level: In this section (pages 8-9), you will focus on yourself. Just as important as understanding the products, you must understand yourself, trading style and tolerance for risk. Understanding your tendencies will help guide your trading strategy.

Chapter 3 Practice what you’ve learned: This is where your learning is put into practice. Use our Trading Simulator to implement your own strategies and review their outcomes. Take notes and learn from your experiences. A template has been provided, but you may want to build your own spreadsheets to record your trading activity.

Master the Trade: Futures is a course designed for new traders to increase their understanding of futures contracts and strategies for trading. This course brings together industry professionals so you can hear their perspectives on trading, learn about their strategies, and see how they approach various trading scenarios.

With New to Markets, you’ll gain the essential knowledge and practical skills to begin your journey in online trading. You will learn how financial markets work, the differences between stocks, forex, and commodities, and how to analyze price movements using both technical and fundamental analysis.

Our program also introduces you to vital topics like risk management, trading psychology, and building a disciplined trading plan—the cornerstones of long-term success. By the end, you will understand how to navigate trading platforms confidently and apply proven strategies designed for beginners who want to grow into informed, independent traders.