Margin requirements far in excess of the marketed $50?

[nakspuraalpha]

Hi, in the /MES details, it says initial margin is $1649, and maintenance margin $1500... But Ninja Trader was marketing themselves as the broker with the lowest margin requirements of like $50... So which is it? I must have at least basically $1700 or $50 in my account to trade one /MES contract? Thanks.

[NinjaTrader_ChristopherJ]

Hello nakspuraalpha,

Thank you for posting.

Currently intraday margin for MES Futures is $50.00 per contract however we have seen where margins have been increased throughout the trading session due to market volatility and risk management. All margin requirements are updated real time at the link provided below:

• Margin Requirements

Initial Margin is the balance required to carry one contract to a new trading session. Initial margins are set by the exchange and represent the amount required to hold a position into the next trading session.

Let me know if I may be of further assistance.