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Opening Range Breakout On Futures: ES, NQ And Crude Oil
Written by Renan Filho, Technology & AI specialist. Expiry dates and activation fees are always visible.
Quick Answer: Opening range breakout (ORB) trades the first 30 minutes high and low on ES, NQ, and crude oil futures. It’s a simple system many funded traders use. US traders can apply it with prop firms like FTMO and Topstep. Here’s a no-nonsense guide with real data and discount codes.
Key Facts for US Traders (2026)
| Market | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US indices | S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones | NYSE / NASDAQ |
| Regulator | CFTC (futures) / SEC (securities) | Official |
| Prop firm model | Funded evaluations with profit split 70-95% | Vendor terms |
| Verification | Updated regularly | PropFirmDiscountApp |
| Best deal today | Code DISCOUNTAPP — up to 90% off | Updated regularly |
What is opening range breakout?
Identify the high and low of the first 30 minutes after market open. If price breaks above the high, go long. Below the low, go short. Stop loss at the opposite side. Target equal to range size. This works on ES, NQ, and CL. US markets open at 9:30 ET for equity indices. Crude oil opens at 9:00 ET. Use a 5-minute chart.
ORB on ES futures
ES typically has an opening range of 10 to 20 points. Breakouts are clean. I prefer ES for consistency. Low slippage. Tips for ES ORB: - Wait for a 5-minute candle close outside the range. - Use a 5-point stop loss. - Take profit at the range height. - Avoid trading the first 5 minutes. That’s it.
ORB on NQ futures
NQ is wilder. The opening range can be 50 to 100 points. Moves are fast. Cut your position size in half compared to ES. Use a 20-point stop. I find NQ ORB works best on high volatility days. False breakouts happen. Wait for a second candle confirmation. Don't chase.
ORB on crude oil (CL)
Crude oil ranges around 0.20 to 0.50 (20-50 ticks). Use the 9:00 ET open. Breakouts are sharp. Stop loss 0.15 (15 ticks). Target 0.30. Below is a comparison of average ranges: | Instrument | Avg Range | Stop Loss | | ES | 15 pts | 5 pts | | NQ | 70 pts | 20 pts | | CL | 0.35 pts | 0.15 pts | Use this to set targets.
Best prop firms for ORB
US traders can use FTMO, Apex, Topstep, FundedNext, and True Forex Funds. My opinion: FTMO is solid but has strict daily drawdown (5%). Apex is cheap ($80 for 50k) but payouts can be slow. Topstep is good for NQ with a $4,000 daily loss limit. FundedNext has easy scaling. True Forex Funds works but less known. For ORB, pick Topstep or FTMO. Use code TRADER10 on FTMO for 10% off. Original price $155 for 50k account, discounted $139.50. Link: https://ftmo.com/?ref=trader10
Quick Comparison
| Firm | Account Size | Original Price | Discounted Price | Discount Code | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | 50k | $155 | $139.50 | TRADER10 | https://ftmo.com/?ref=trader10 |
| Apex | 50k | $80 | $72.00 | APEX10 | https://apexinvesting.com/?ref=trader10 |
| Topstep | 50k | $165 | $148.50 | TOPSTEP10 | https://topstep.com/?ref=trader10 |
| FundedNext | 50k | $199 | $179.10 | FUNDED10 | https://fundednext.com/?ref=trader10 |
| True Forex Funds | 50k | $149 | $134.10 | TRUE10 | https://trueforexfunds.com/?ref=trader10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What time frame do you use for ORB?
A 5-minute chart works best for ES, NQ, and CL. Use the first 30 minutes to define range.
Can I trade ORB on crude oil at night?
No, the strategy uses the official opening range from 9:00 ET. Night session is not recommended.
Which prop firm is best for ORB?
Topstep for high daily loss limits on NQ. FTMO for reliability on ES.
What is the success rate of ORB?
Around 60-70% on good days. It depends on volatility. Don't over-leverage.
Do I need a specific platform?
No. NinjaTrader, Tradovate, or TradingView work. Most prop firms support these.
Conclusion
ORB is a straightforward strategy for ES, NQ, and crude oil. Pick a prop firm that fits your style. Use the discount codes above to save on evaluation fees. Start with a small account and scale up. Trade smart.
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Risk warning: Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prop firm evaluations are simulations, not regulated brokerage accounts.