CQG Market Data Fees

This article covers the platform and market data subscription fees for CQG on MetroTrade accounts. Fees depend on whether you're classified as a non-professional or professional subscriber — this classification is set by CME Group, not by MetroTrade, and applies to all futures market data regardless of which platform you use.

All fees are in U.S. dollars and are billed monthly. Fees are not prorated — if you subscribe mid-month, you'll be charged the full monthly amount.

Non-professional vs. professional classification

CME Group categorizes every market data subscriber as either non-professional or professional. Which category you fall into determines the market data fees you pay — professional rates are substantially higher than non-professional rates, reflecting CME's distinction between personal/private use and commercial use.

This classification has nothing to do with trading skill, experience, or account size. It's based strictly on who you are, how you use the data, and whether you hold industry credentials or affiliations. Most retail traders qualify as non-professional.

Non-professional requirements (all must apply)

To qualify as a non-professional subscriber, all of the following must be true:

• You are an individual (natural person) or a small business entity (LLC, partnership, trust, or corporation) using the data for personal or private purposes.
• You have an active futures trading account.
• You use the data solely for managing your own assets, not on behalf of anyone else.
• You are not registered or qualified as a professional trader or investment adviser with any exchange, contract market, or financial regulatory authority.
• You are not a member of, and do not hold or lease any membership in, any exchange.
• You are not acting on behalf of an institution engaged in brokerage, banking, investment, or other financial activities.
• You do not have a primary business purpose that involves trading.

Anyone who doesn't meet all the above is a professional subscriber

Common scenarios that trigger professional classification include: employment at a brokerage, bank, hedge fund, or investment advisor; holding a Series 3, Series 7, or similar registration; managing money for other people (including family members outside your immediate household, depending on interpretation); or using trading data in the course of a commercial business.

If you're not sure, check with MetroTrade support before subscribing — it's much easier to set the classification correctly up front than to reconcile a misclassification later.

How to change your classification

Your classification is self-certified when you first subscribe to market data, typically via a CME Non-Professional Self-Certification form presented during account or data setup. If your circumstances change — for example, you leave a finance job, or conversely, you take a new role at a financial institution — you are required to notify MetroTrade promptly so your classification and fees can be updated. To change your classification, contact MetroTrade support with the date of the change and a brief description of your new circumstances; support will resubmit the appropriate certification and update your billing going forward.

Inaccurate self-certification can result in back-billing by the exchange at the professional rate for the period you were misclassified, so keeping this up to date matters.

Non-professional Market Data fees

The CME Bundle combines all four exchanges (CBOT, CME, NYMEX, COMEX) at a discount versus subscribing individually. If you trade products across more than two of these exchanges, the bundle is typically the cheaper option.

Professional Market Data fees

Professional fees are set by CME Group, not MetroTrade. Bundle pricing is not available at the professional tier — each exchange is billed separately.

Good to know

• API fees apply per login, not per contract traded.
• Market data fees are assessed per exchange per month, regardless of usage within that month.
• Fees are charged in USD. Make sure your account has sufficient USD balance at the beginning of each month to cover subscriptions.
• If your classification changes mid-month, fees for that month are generally not prorated — contact MetroTrade support for guidance on the transition.

Related resources

• CME Group Market Data Subscriber Definitions (official): cmegroup.com/market-data
• CQG platform information: cqg.com
• MetroTrade intraday margin requirements: metrotrade.com/margins