Are futures markets easy to integrate into algorithmic trading?

Futures markets are considered fairly easy to integrate into algorithmic trading, with about 20% of options volume expected to be computer-generated by 2010. [needs update] Bond markets are moving toward more access to algorithmic traders.

What is futures trading?

Futures allow trading with leverage across equity, bond, commodity and currency markets. Utilize quantitative research to analyze strategies objectively, test performance and optimize trades. Trade a variety of uncorrelated strategies to diversify and reduce portfolio volatility.

What is algorithmic trading?

Algorithmic trades require communicating considerably more parameters than traditional market and limit orders. A trader on one end (the "buy side") must enable their trading system (often called an "order management system" or "execution management system") to understand a constantly proliferating flow of new algorithmic order types.