
As you can see the above movements between the stock and the futures contract both look very similar. Both seems to have traveled the same basic percentage during the day.
Lets compare and see difference when trading a stock or trading a future:
Stock Trade
Stock $205.50 start of day
buy 100 shares = $20,500.00
with margin $10,250.00 in cash needed
Stock moved to $200.00 making $5 * 100 shares = $500.00 profit
Futures Trade
Futures $2846.00 start of the day
buy 1 contract = $3,000.00 (changes a little time to time)
Day margin sometimes give you control of contract for less
Future moved to $2820.00 $50.00 * 26 = $1300.00 profit