Trading the NAS100 Open on a Prop Account

The first hour after the 14:30 open (UK time) is the busiest time for the Nasdaq 100. It offers large moves and quick targets, and it’s where many daily limits are breached.

The opening range

Many traders wait for the first 5 to 15 minutes to form a range, then trade a break or failed break of it. Waiting avoids the most erratic first minutes.

Sizing

NAS100 can move 100+ points in the first hour. Size from your stop in points and your firm’s value per point, and consider micro futures (MNQ) if trading futures.

Protect the daily limit

• Limit yourself to two or three trades in the first hour.
• Stop after two losses.
• Avoid holding through 15:00 UK time data releases unless planned.

CFD or futures

At forex firms you trade NAS100 CFDs; at futures firms, NQ or MNQ. See prop firms for index trading.

A simple opening range plan

• Mark the high and low of the first 15 minutes after 14:30 UK time.
• Trade a break of the range only in the direction of the higher-timeframe trend.
• Place the stop inside the range, size to 0.5% risk, and target at least 1.5 times the risk.
• No new trades after 16:00 UK time.

Backtest the plan on at least three months of data before trading it on a prop account, and check that its worst days fit inside your firm’s daily limit.

Prop firms we currently recommend

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