Hi,

I'm a share trader, and for a while I've thought about moving to futures trading. I've trialled a few platforms, and have been reading threads here. I'm overwhlemed - it seems hundreds of times more complicated than share trading.

I have a simple system that I've backtested for HSI, but actually getting to the point of implementing it seems like a bridge too far. Have any of you felt like that? Getting the right broker and data feed, for example, seems like a huge task. Let alone setting up all the requirements for maintaining a safe trading environment.

I probably only understand half of what's being discussed on many of the threads here. I have a chart in front of me and I just want to trade it. I know my entries and exits, but it's all the extra stuff. I don't think I'm cut out for it. Is there anything wrong with setting up a CFD account to trade HSI?

Feeling quite dejected. Probably not smart enough to be a futures trader. Should I just pack it in, or maybe consider trading CFDs?

I think you are being too hard on yourself. I was overwhelmed with finding a broker at first also. What I did was find a platform I wanted like to trade on and went with the broker that offered my preferred platform. Once I started trading futures in a live account I made sure I just traded one contract on a micro product. I am constantly visiting and revisiting the futures exchange website to learn more about the products I am trading. It only took a couple of weeks of trading the micros to feel like I had a good grasp of the information like tick size, contract months, contract size, etc.