The tech-heavy sibling of ES — faster, wilder, and less forgiving.
NQ is the E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contract, tracking the Nasdaq-100 index at $20 per point per contract. Compared to ES, NQ moves roughly 2–3× as far in points per session with sharper reversals and more aggressive stop runs. The same RRR framework applies, but NQ demands wider stops (or smaller size) and stricter discipline — its A+ setups are bigger and its fake-outs are nastier. Most traders should master ES first, then graduate to NQ.
NQ amplifies everything — the wins and the mistakes. It's a great second instrument and a terrible first one.
The same sweep-retrace-run pattern that nets 11 points on ES often nets 40+ points on NQ — but the stop that was 4 points on ES needs to be 12–15 on NQ.
NQ futures run the same Protocol but with more volatility. The Reveal is often faster and the Run is larger, but the Retrace levels are less clean — the Protocol's fixed-risk rule matters more here.
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