A Division of Commodity Futures & Options Service, Inc.
   FOREX BROKER  /  COMMODITY FUTURES BROKER  /  OTC METALS BROKER
    Investment Opportunities in Global Commodity Markets Since 1988

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We broker commodity futures, broker forex spot, broker forex options and broker OTC metals. For all of your online forex broker, online forex options broker, online OTC spot gold broker, online OTC spot silver broker and online commodity futures broker needs you only need one broker - CFOS/FX.  All of the professional brokers at CFOS/FX are licensed by the National Futures Association and are qualified to provide you with the following services: forex broker, forex options broker, commodity futures broker, commodity options on futures broker, OTC spot metals broker, OTC spot metals options broker and forex and futures consulting.  Commodity Futures and Options Service, Inc. is located in Houston, Texas. CFOS/FX provides both online and telephone brokerage services to retail and commercial clients.  Customer satisfaction is our top priority and we look forward to having you as our client.

COMMODITY FUTURES FAQ's

Simply click on the question to view the answer.

(1)  What is the minimum deposit to open a commodity futures trading account?
(2)  How quickly can I open a commodity futures account and how soon can I begin commodity trading?
(3)  How fast can I expect my fills to be returned to me?
(4)  How are my trades reported to me and will I receive a monthly statement?
(5)  Can I access my commodity trading account information online?
(6)  Does CFOS/FX provide research and trade recommendations?
(7)  Will I be assigned a commodity broker to work with or can I choose one that I prefer?
(8)  Is CFOS registered and regulated?
(9)  Where are my funds held?
(10)  How much money do I have to keep in my commodity trading account once it is open?
(11)  Are there any monthly or annual account fees that I must pay?
(12)  Are there any additional fees for special orders (i.e. stop, limit, etc.)?
(13)  What are the additional fees for ACCESS, Globex, A/C/E (Project A) orders?
(14)  What are CFOS' current margin rates?
(15)  How do I deposit or withdraw money from my commodity trading account?
(16)  What kind of commodity trading account can I open?
(17)  Can I transfer an account from another firm to CFOS?
(18)  Can I trade commodity futures contracts on foreign exchanges?
(19)  Can I assign my broker the right to trade a particular commodity trading system on my behalf for my account?

(1)  What is the minimum deposit to open a commodity futures trading account?

A deposit of only $2,000.00 is required to open a commodity futures trading account (unless otherwise stated).

(2)  How quickly can I open a commodity futures trading account and how soon can I begin trading?

New commodity futures trading accounts can be opened in as little as 48-72 hours (with funds wired into the account) and you may begin trading your account once the funds have cleared.

(3)  How fast can I expect my fills to be returned to me?

For online accounts, market order fills are returned to you in as little as a few seconds.  If you are placing a market order via telephone with one of our brokers, depending on the market you may sometimes get your fill back while you hold.  Fill reporting times may vary depending on the type of order placed (limit, stop, etc.), the market traded and the condition of the market when your price is hit.

(4)  How are my trades reported to me and will I receive a monthly statement?

Each transaction in your commodity trading account is followed immediately by a confirmation statement sent directly to your mailing address. You will receive a monthly statement a week or so after the end of each month detailing all activity in your account for that month.

Online trading accountholders receive fills online and can also view all account statement information online at any time.

(5)  Can I access my commodity trading account information online?

Yes. At your request we can assign you a personal username and password to access your commodity trading account information online.  Online trading accountholders will already have this feature.  Rest assured your account information is secure and private online.

(6)  Does CFOS/FX provide research and trade recommendations?

Depending on the FCM and the type of account you open, research and trade recommendations may be available at no cost.  Full-service accounts have access to both in-house and specially selected research at no cost.

(7)  Will I be assigned a commodity broker to work with or can I choose one that I prefer?

You are given the opportunity to either choose your commodity broker or have one assigned to you.  We simply want you to be comfortable with your commodity broker.  If you would like to choose a commodity broker, please visit our Staff Profiles page for broker bio's.

(8)  Is CFOS registered and regulated?

Yes, Commodity Futures and Options Service, Inc. is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) since 1988 and is a member of the National Futures Association (NFA).  To view our NFA regulatory record online from the NFA website, click here.

(9)  Where are my funds held?

Rules governing the futures industry require that customer positions and monies be accounted for separately from your clearing firm.  This is done to protect the client from the possibility of financial instability of the clearing member.  All money is held on deposit at one of several investment grade Chicago and New York banks in a customer segregated account.

(10)  How much money do I have to keep in my commodity trading account once it is open?

Once your commodity trading account is open, there is no minimum balance requirement beyond the margin rates for any positions held in your account.

(11)  Are there any monthly or annual account fees that I must pay?

There are no annual account fees due on your account, but certain FCM's may charge an inactivity fee for smaller, inactive accounts.  These fees are charged directly by the FCM and not by CFOS.

(12)  Are there any additional fees for special orders (i.e. stop, limit, etc.)?

There are no additional fees charged for special order instruction (with certain limited exceptions, i.e. orders to foreign exchanges, etc.).

(13)  What are the additional fees for ACCESS, Globex, A/C/E (Project A) orders?

In certain cases there may be nominal additional fees for electronic orders placed overnight (approximately $1.00 - $2.00 per round turn).  These fees are fully disclosed and are charged by the individual exchanges, not CFOS.

(14)  What are CFOS' current margin rates?

While some firms may require margin rates in excess of those posted by the various exchanges, CFOS requires only exchange minimum margin deposits.  Nobody will offer lower margin rates than CFOS.  To view our current margin rates, click on the following link: CFOS Margin Rates

(15)  How do I deposit or withdraw money from my commodity trading account?

Withdrawals or deposits can be made by check or wire transfer.  Due to anti-money-laundering laws, all deposits MUST be drawn from an account bearing the name of the actual CFOS accountholder(s).  Feel free to contact a CFOS broker to help decide which way is best for you.

(16)  What kind of commodity trading account can I open?

There are several types of commodity trading accounts available. They are as follows:

Individual
Joint
Sole Proprietor
Partnership
Corporate
Trust
IRA/Retirement Plan

* Power of attorney arrangements are available as well for accounts that are managed by a third party.

(17)  Can I transfer an account from another firm to CFOS?

Yes.  Simply complete a transfer request form and the CFOS new account form - we will handle the rest.  There are no administrative costs charged by CFOS.

(18)  Can I trade commodity futures contracts on foreign exchanges?

Yes, we can assist you in placing your trade on almost any regulated exchange around the world.

(19)  Can I assign my broker the right to trade a particular trading system on my behalf for my account?

Yes.  Our commodity brokers are fully capable of handling system orders on behalf of our clients.

*Disclaimer: Foreign exchange trading, foreign exchange investments and commodity futures trading and investments are not suitable for everyone.  Forex trading and commodity futures trading carry a high level of risk and the possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of all or more of your currency trading or commodity futures trading investment.  Before you decide to trade foreign currency options, trade foreign currency spot markets or trade commodity futures you should be aware of all risks associated with currency trading and futures trading.  If you would like more information about the risks of forex trading, commodity futures trading and of online forex trading and online futures trading, please contact a CFOS/FX futures and forex broker to discuss online foreign currency trading risks and/or commodity futures trading risks in detail. 

CFOS/FX is a futures and forex broker offering online forex trading platforms in both spot forex and forex option trading markets as wells as OTC spot gold, OTC spot silver and commodity futures.  The professionals at CFOS/FX broker forex spot contracts and broker forex option trading for both individual and commercial futures and forex clientele.  CFOS/FX, as an entity, acts only as a futures and forex brokerage and does not actively manage futures or foreign currency trading accounts for clients.  Regarding forex markets, CFOS/FX is a forex option broker and a spot forex broker acting an the Introducing Broker; CFOS/FX does not act as counter-party for client forex trading or forex option trading.