The futures market is about to undergo a major transformation. Single stock futures are launching in summer 2026, and this development opens the door to an entirely new approach for futures traders. Instead of being limited to indices and commodities, you’ll soon be able to trade futures contracts on individual stocks like Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, and many more.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what single stock futures are, why they matter for your trading account, and one of the most effective strategies you can use to trade them profitably. Whether you have a large account or a smaller one, this information will help you prepare for what’s coming.
What Are Single Stock Futures?
Single stock futures are futures contracts based on individual stocks rather than indices or commodities. Each contract represents 100 shares of the underlying stock, and every penny the stock moves results in a $1 profit or loss per contract you own.
For example, if you buy a futures contract on Apple and the stock moves up $1 from your entry price, you would profit $100 on that single contract.
The initial launch will include 54 US-listed stocks from the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100. Some of the confirmed tickers include:
- Apple (AAPL)
- Nvidia (NVDA)
- Tesla (TSLA)
- Palantir (PLTR)
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
- Walmart (WMT)
- Disney (DIS)
- Visa (V)
Why Single Stock Futures Are a Game-Changer
Increased Leverage for Smaller Accounts
The biggest advantage of single stock futures is the leverage they provide. While buying 100 shares of Apple or Nvidia might cost you $20,000 to $30,000, a futures contract on the same stock might only require $500 to $2,000 in margin, depending on your broker’s requirements.
This means traders with smaller accounts can now participate in the price movements of high-quality stocks without needing massive amounts of capital. Of course, leverage works both ways, so proper risk management remains essential.
Move Beyond Candlestick Patterns
Futures traders have traditionally relied on candlestick patterns and price action strategies that often lack consistency. With single stock futures, you can now apply proven stock trading strategies that have worked for years in the equities market.
You’re no longer limited to trading indices or commodities. The entire world of individual stock analysis becomes available to you in the futures market.
The RSW Strategy: Relative Strength and Relative Weakness
One of the most effective strategies for trading individual stocks is the RSW strategy. RSW stands for Relative Strength and Relative Weakness, and it involves comparing individual stocks to a baseline, which is typically SPY (the S&P 500 ETF).
How It Works
Stocks within the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 generally move in the same direction as the broader market. However, at any given moment, some stocks will outperform the market while others will underperform. The RSW strategy helps you identify these discrepancies and trade accordingly.
Relative Strength Example:
If Apple is trending above VWAP while SPY is sitting at the low of the day, Apple is showing relative strength. This gives you a long bias because Apple is outperforming the market. When the market eventually bounces, Apple will likely be one of the first stocks to spike higher. Additionally, Apple will be less susceptible to major selloffs even if SPY continues to dip.
Relative Weakness Example:
If Tesla is forming a lower high while SPY is forming a higher high, Tesla is showing relative weakness. This gives you a short bias because Tesla is underperforming the market. When the market pulls back, Tesla will likely be one of the first stocks to sell off more aggressively.
Real Chart Example: Google vs SPY
Let’s walk through a practical example using Google (GOOGL) compared to SPY on an intraday chart.
Looking at the one-minute chart for both SPY and Google on the same day, around 10:20 AM, SPY formed a higher high well above its previous high. At the exact same time, Google formed a significantly lower high and was testing VWAP as resistance.
This divergence signaled clear relative weakness in Google. The stock wasn’t keeping pace with the broader market, and VWAP was acting as overhead resistance.
The Trade Setup:
A short position into VWAP at that lower high would have allowed you to capitalize on the quick selloff following the rejection. Alternatively, holding through the consolidation would have positioned you to profit from the larger afternoon selloff.
This is the power of the RSW strategy. You’re not guessing which direction a stock might move. You’re identifying stocks that are already showing their hand through relative strength or weakness.
How to Set Up the RSW Strategy on Your Charts
There are two main ways to implement the RSW strategy in your trading routine.
Method 1: Side-by-Side Charts
The simplest approach is to have two charts displayed side by side. One chart shows SPY, and the other shows the stock you’re analyzing, like the example above with Google. This allows you to visually compare the price action and identify when a stock is outperforming or underperforming the market.
Method 2: Comparison Indicator Overlay
If you’re trading on a smaller screen or prefer a cleaner setup, you can use a comparison indicator to overlay the S&P 500 directly on your stock chart. In thinkorswim, follow these steps:
1. Go to Studies and click Edit Studies
2. Search for “Comparison” and add it to your chart
3. Click the settings icon and change the line color to white
4. Set the symbol to represent the S&P 500 (SPY or SPX)
Now you’ll have a line representing the S&P 500 displayed directly on top of your stock chart. This makes it incredibly easy to spot relative strength or weakness at a glance.
For example, if you’re looking at Visa and see the S&P 500 line trending downward all morning while Visa is holding around VWAP and trending slightly higher, you’ve identified relative strength. Your bias should be long, and you’d look for dips into VWAP as potential buying opportunities.
Why RSW Works So Consistently
The RSW strategy works because it aligns your trades with the natural flow of capital in the market. When institutional money is flowing into a particular stock, that stock will show relative strength. When institutions are exiting a position, that stock will show relative weakness.
Key Benefits:
- Stocks with relative strength are less susceptible to market-wide selloffs
- Stocks with relative strength rally first and fastest when the market bounces
- Stocks with relative weakness drop first and hardest when the market pulls back
- You’re trading with clear directional bias rather than guessing
This strategy removes much of the uncertainty that comes with traditional candlestick patterns or indicator-based systems. You’re reading the actual behavior of the stock relative to the market.
Preparing for Single Stock Futures
Single stock futures launch in Summer 2026, which gives you time to master the RSW strategy before they become available. Start practicing now by:
- Comparing individual stocks to SPY on your daily charts
- Setting up the comparison indicator on your preferred platform
- Paper trading RSW setups to build confidence
- Documenting your observations in a trading journal
When single stock futures go live, you’ll be ready to apply this strategy with the added benefit of futures leverage.
Take Your Trading Further
The RSW strategy is one of three complete trading strategies taught in the Day Trade Boot Camp inside the Master The Market program. Members get access to in-depth video training, real-time trade examples, and a dedicated channel in the Market Master Group that provides daily RSW signals to capitalize on this strategy.
If you’re serious about preparing for single stock futures and want to trade with a proven edge, consider joining us at Master The Market.
Final Thoughts
Single stock futures represent one of the biggest opportunities for futures traders in years. The ability to trade individual stocks with futures leverage opens up strategies and setups that simply weren’t available before.
The RSW strategy gives you a clear framework for identifying which stocks to trade and in which direction. By comparing individual stocks to the broader market, you gain an edge that most traders overlook.
Start practicing now, and you’ll be ahead of the curve when Summer 2026 arrives.
👉 Single Stock Futures Are Coming! Trade Them With This Strategy (RSW)
