Trading Indices in EdgeFlo

This article covers how index instruments are displayed, how position sizing works in points, and what to expect in the execution panel and journal.

Indices trade in points, not pips. A 50-point move on the Nasdaq is not the same as 50 pips on EURUSD - the math is different, the contract value is different, and the market hours are different. EdgeFlo accounts for all of this so that when you are trading NAS100, the platform shows you numbers that match your broker and make sense for the instrument.

Supported Index Instruments

Each index appears in the Indices section of your default watchlist with its full name and an Indices category label. Prices are displayed with commas and without trailing forex-style decimal places.

How Index Prices Are Displayed

Index prices are large numbers. EdgeFlo formats them with comma separators and the correct decimal precision for each instrument - the same way you see them on TradingView or your broker platform.

This formatting applies in the watchlist, instrument detail page, chart price axis, trade lines, and journal entries.

Opening a Trade on an Index

Click an index in your watchlist to load the chart, then click Trade to open the execution panel.

Position size

The position size field for indices is labeled Lots. Your broker defines what one lot represents for each index - typically a fixed dollar amount per point of movement. The risk calculator uses this value when it calculates your lot size.

Stop loss and take profit

Toggle between two input methods using the selector at the top of the SL/TP section:

Price: Enter the exact price level for your SL or TP.
Points: Enter the distance in points from your entry. EdgeFlo converts the point distance to a price level automatically.

Tip: Many index traders think in points rather than price levels. If you plan your stops as a set number of points from entry, use the Points method. Both inputs produce the same order.

Risk calculator

Once you enter a stop loss, EdgeFlo calculates your lot size based on:

Your account balance
Your risk percentage or fixed dollar amount
The point distance between your entry and stop loss
The value per point for that index on your broker account

The result - lot size, dollar risk, and R:R - appears in the panel before you confirm.

Note: The value per point for indices varies by broker. If your calculated lot size does not match your expectation, check that your broker's per-point value is correctly reflected. If the risk calculator output looks significantly off, contact support.

Placing the Trade

When your SL, TP, and lot size are set, the order button shows a summary before you confirm:

Confirming sends the order to your broker. Trade lines appear on the chart at your entry, stop loss, and take profit levels.

Market Hours

Indices trade during the hours their underlying exchange is open. US indices (US30, NAS100, SPX500) follow US equity market hours. European indices (GER40, UK100) follow their respective exchange hours. The Nikkei (JPN225) follows Japanese market hours. CFD trading on indices may extend beyond the cash session depending on your broker.

Warning: Index spreads widen significantly at market open and close. The period immediately following a major economic release can also cause rapid price movement. If you have the News Block guardrail configured, it applies to index trades during high-impact events. The Trading Window guardrail is also worth setting to match the specific cash session hours when liquidity is highest for the index you trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Nasdaq lot size look so small compared to my forex trades?

Index lot sizing reflects the value per point movement on your specific broker. A small lot size on NAS100 can represent significant dollar risk because the index moves hundreds of points and each point may be worth $1 or more per lot. Always check the dollar risk shown in the panel before placing the trade — that number is what matters, not the lot size itself.

Can I trade indices and forex from the same connected account?

Yes, if your broker account supports both. EdgeFlo handles them within the same interface. Your guardrails apply across all instruments on that account.

Does the Max Daily Loss guardrail apply to index trades?

Yes. All guardrails apply across every instrument on your connected account, including indices. Your daily loss limit counts realized losses from index trades the same way it counts forex losses.