Nasdaq-100 Index Futures Margin & Contract Specifications

What Is the Nasdaq-100 Index?

The Nasdaq-100 Index (NASDAQ-100) is one of the most closely watched indices in the United States. Unlike the Nasdaq Composite, it selects the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market by market capitalization.

Its constituents span computer hardware and software, telecommunications, retail, biotechnology, and healthcare. Technology stocks typically account for more than 50% of the index, making it the most important benchmark for the technology sector and a widely recognized symbol of global innovation and high-tech industries.

Key Factors Affecting the Nasdaq-100 Index

1. U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Policy

Technology stocks are generally viewed as growth stocks, with current valuations based on expectations of future earnings. When interest rates rise, future cash flows are discounted more heavily, leading to valuation compression.
Tech companies also require substantial funding for R&D and expansion, so higher interest rates increase borrowing costs. As a result, rate cuts are strongly bullish for the Nasdaq-100, while rate hikes are a major headwind.

2. Earnings of Mega-Cap Companies

The Nasdaq-100 is market-cap weighted, and the top 10 companies—such as Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Amazon—often account for more than 40–50% of the index. This means that if these mega-caps deliver earnings or outlooks above expectations, the index can surge even if the remaining 90 companies perform modestly. During quarterly U.S. earnings seasons, Nasdaq-100 futures often experience sharp gaps on the days these giants report results.

3. Technology Innovation Cycles and Themes

The pace of technological advancement is a direct driver of the index. Developments in artificial intelligence, cloud computing demand, and semiconductor supply-demand dynamics play a decisive role in shaping Nasdaq-100 performance.

4. Government Regulation and Policy

Regulatory actions in the U.S. or EU targeting major tech firms—such as Google, Meta, or Apple—including antitrust scrutiny, breakup rumors, or large fines, are often negative catalysts and can weigh heavily on the Nasdaq-100.

5. U.S. Economic Data

Inflation indicators such as CPI and PCE directly influence Fed interest-rate decisions. For technology stocks, a low-inflation environment is most favorable, as it allows accommodative monetary policy (low rates) to persist longer, keeping funding costs low.

6. Geopolitics and Supply Chains

The U.S.–China tech rivalry, semiconductor restrictions, and export controls directly affect chipmakers and related hardware firms within the index. The tech industry relies on global supply chains; wars, natural disasters, or production disruptions—such as past automotive chip shortages—are quickly reflected in stock prices and index performance.

7. Investor Sentiment Toward Technology Stocks

The VXN Index is often referred to as the “fear index” for technology stocks. It is derived from option prices on the Nasdaq-100.
When investors become uneasy and fear sharp declines in tech stocks, they buy large amounts of put options for protection. This drives option prices higher and pushes the VXN up. Typically, a rising VXN corresponds to a falling Nasdaq-100, while a declining VXN tends to accompany index gains.

Nasdaq-100 Futures Margin

How much money is needed to trade futures? At the beginning, the required margin is the initial margin. While holding a position, the margin after deducting floating profits and losses must remain above the maintenance margin; otherwise, a margin call will be issued. For day-trading margin, only half of the margin is required, provided the position is closed before the market closes.

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Nasdaq-100 Futures Contract Specifications

Here is a summary for traders of the contract specifications, exchange, trading hours, minimum price fluctuation, and available trading months for Nasdaq-100 FuturesFutures.

Nasdaq-100 FuturesLast Trading Day

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