When traders compare Gold Futures Trading and Currency Futures, they often focus on volatility, liquidity, and market drivers.
But the most critical difference—the one that impacts risk, position sizing, and profitability—is value and contract size.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down:
- How value and contract size differ between gold and currency futures
- Why these differences matter for risk management
- Real-world examples of profit/loss calculations
- Which market is better for small vs large accounts
By the end, you’ll understand how to trade both markets with precision and confidence.
✅ Gold Futures Trading: Contract Size and Value
GC (E-mini Gold Futures)
- Contract Size: 100 troy ounces
- Tick Size: 0.10 USD = $10 per tick
- Point Value: $100
- Margin: ~$7,000
- Example: Price at $2,000 → Contract value = $200,000
MGC (Micro Gold Futures)
- Contract Size: 10 troy ounces
- Tick Size: 0.10 USD = $1 per tick
- Margin: ~$700
- Perfect for small accounts
💡 Fun Fact: Gold is priced in USD, so USD strength directly impacts GC.
✅ Currency Futures: Contract Size and Value
| Euro | 6E | 125,000 EUR | $12.50 | ~$6,000 |
| British Pound | 6B | 62,500 GBP | $6.25 | ~$4,000 |
| Japanese Yen | 6J | 12,500,000 JPY | $12.50 | ~$4,500 |
| Australian Dollar | 6A | 100,000 AUD | $10.00 | ~$3,800 |
💡 Note: Tick = 0.0001 in most pairs.
✅ Key Differences: Value and Contract Size
| Asset Type | Commodity | Currency Pair |
| Price Driver | Inflation, geopolitics | Interest rates, economic data |
| Contract Size | 100 oz (GC), 10 oz (MGC) | 125K EUR, 62.5K GBP, etc. |
| Tick Value | $10 (GC), $1 (MGC) | $12.50 (6E), $6.25 (6B) |
| Volatility | High (5–10% daily) | Moderate (1–2% daily) |
| Best For | Swing traders, crisis traders | Day traders, news traders |
✅ Risk Management: Calculating Exposure
Example 1: Gold Futures (GC)
- Buy 1 GC at $2,000
- Stop-loss at $1,980 (200 ticks)
- Risk: 200 x $10 = $2,000
Example 2: Currency Futures (6E)
- Buy 1 6E at 1.0800
- Stop-loss at 1.0750 (50 ticks)
- Risk: 50 x $12.50 = $625
✅ Insight: Gold requires wider stops → higher risk per contract.
✅ Final Thoughts: Gold Futures Trading vs Currency Futures
Article is about Currency Futures vs Spot Forex While both Gold Futures Trading and Currency Futures offer excellent opportunities, their value and contract size make them suitable for different traders.
- Gold Futures: Best for swing traders, crisis traders, volatility seekers
- Currency Futures: Best for day traders, news traders, risk-averse speculators
Choose based on:
- Your account size
- Risk tolerance
- Trading style
Because in futures trading, the right contract size is just as important as the right strategy.