MNQ and MES are the two most traded micro index futures. They move together most of the time, but they behave differently enough that the choice matters for an automated strategy.
| MNQ | MES | |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying | Nasdaq-100 | S&P 500 |
| Value per point | $2.00 | $5.00 |
| Typical behavior | Faster, bigger swings | Smoother, slower |
| Best for | Momentum and breakouts | Pullbacks and mean reversion |
Volatility and stops
MNQ moves many more points than MES in a session, so it needs wider stops measured in points. A stop that's comfortable on MES can get hit by normal noise on MNQ, especially in the first hour of New York.
Which one should a bot trade?
Momentum and breakout strategies usually do better on MNQ, where moves extend further. Pullback strategies often do better on MES, where price respects levels more cleanly.
Don't run both against each other
Because they're so correlated, being long one and short the other is effectively a hedge. Most prop firms don't allow it. If you run bots on both, make sure they can't hold opposite positions at the same time.