6C Margin Requirements and Position Sizing for Small Accounts
6C Canadian Dollar futures look harmless until you realize every tick is $10. That means a basic 30–40 tick stop is $300–$400 risk per contract. If you’re running a small account or a prop evaluation, that can nuke your entire day instantly. This guide gives you the real numbers so you stop oversizing trades.
The Real Margin Requirements for 6C
Margin requirements vary slightly by broker, but the CME exchange sets the baseline. For the standard 6C contract, most traders see:
| Margin Type | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Margin | $2,000–$2,500 |
| Maintenance Margin | $1,800–$2,200 |
Day trading margin can be far lower depending on your broker, but that doesn’t mean the risk is lower. The contract still moves $10 per tick no matter what margin deal you get.
Why Margin ≠ Risk
Margin is not the amount of money you can lose. It’s just the amount required to open the position. The real risk comes from:
- Your stop size
- Your position size
- Volatility of CAD/USD
- Oil and USD shocks
A single strong oil move can rip 6C 50+ ticks in minutes. That’s $500 per contract—half a small account gone instantly.
How to Size 6C Positions Correctly
Use simple math: Tick value × stop size = real risk.
6C tick value is always $10. So a 25-tick stop = $250 risk. If your account can’t take that hit comfortably, your size is too big.
Examples:
| Stop Size | Risk per Contract |
|---|---|
| 10 ticks | $100 |
| 20 ticks | $200 |
| 30 ticks | $300 |
| 40 ticks | $400 |
This should already make you rethink the size you place.
Position Sizing for Small Accounts
Beginners love to oversize because 6C “doesn’t move much.” Wrong. CAD moves slower than the Yen, but the tick value is much larger than 6J. One decent swing can wipe a small account.
Safe rules for small accounts:
- Risk 1–2% of account max per trade
- Use stops no larger than 20–30 ticks
- Trade only during high-liquidity windows
- Avoid holding through scheduled news
If you want tiny sizing, use the micro contract (MCD) when available. Its tick value is 1/10th of the main contract, making it beginner-friendly.
Why Volatility Dictates Stop Size
If oil is trending hard or USD is moving aggressively, a 15-tick stop is suicide. You need stops that match volatility. You don’t pick numbers out of thin air—you size based on the environment.
This ties directly into your 6C volatility patterns guide.
Final Thoughts
6C margin is cheap, but the contract is not. Tick size determines your real risk, not the margin requirement. If you size properly and respect CAD’s volatility drivers, you can trade 6C without blowing out your account. If you treat it casually, CAD will take your money fast.