Systematic intraday and multi-day futures programs that target precise dislocations — with hard-coded risk controls, no discretion, and full transparency on every trade.
Short-term trading is the most operationally demanding category we work in. Programs hold positions for hours or days rather than weeks or months, which means execution quality, fill discipline, and infrastructure reliability matter more here than in any other style. It’s also where the trader’s psychological edge tends to be smallest — which is precisely why the strategies that work in this space are almost always systematic, not discretionary.
If you’re an allocator looking for an uncorrelated diversifier with shorter capital deployment cycles than trend following, or a sophisticated trader who wants short-term systems run on professional infrastructure rather than your own desktop, this is the page worth reading.
What we mean by short-term trading
The short-term programs we work with hold positions from a few minutes to a few days. They look for repeatable patterns in price action, volatility, order-book dynamics, or intermarket relationships — and they exit before the trade becomes a longer-horizon directional bet.
Style-wise, the programs we run fall into three buckets: mean-reversion around statistical extremes (selling tops and buying bottoms in liquid markets), breakout continuation (riding momentum off range expansions), and intermarket arbitrage (relative-value plays across correlated instruments). Each has a different return profile and a different reason for existing.
How we implement
Three things separate a short-term program that works in live markets from one that only worked in backtest:
Execution infrastructure. A signal that triggers at 9:31:14 needs to result in a fill within milliseconds, not seconds, or the edge is gone. Our short-term programs run on monitored, low-latency infrastructure with direct exchange connectivity through our FCM relationships (R.J. O’Brien, StoneX Financial, Phillip Capital), not retail-grade order routing.
Risk controls baked into the code, not bolted on. Every position has a pre-defined stop, a maximum holding period, and an account-level drawdown circuit breaker that flattens everything if the system breaches its expected envelope. Risk parameters are visible and auditable.
Live reconciliation. Every fill is reconciled against the system’s intended trade by end of day. When a slippage event or partial fill happens (it will, eventually) we know about it before the next session.
Programs we deploy in this category are fully rules-based — no manual override, no discretionary tinkering during drawdowns, no “let’s let this winner run.” If the system says exit, we exit.
Who this is for
Short-term programs are most appropriate for allocators and traders who:
Want exposure to managed futures with a different return profile than classic trend following — typically shorter drawdowns, lower per-trade risk, but smaller per-trade expected return.
Have allocation sizes that can absorb higher commission and slippage costs as a percentage of capital (short-term programs trade more frequently, so transaction costs matter more).
Value the operational transparency of running a system through a separately managed account where every fill is visible, rather than through a pooled fund.
Are comfortable with the realistic expectation that short-term systems work in periods when their edge is present, and sit flat or take small losses when it isn’t.
Account minimums and structure
Most short-term programs we provide access to accept separately managed accounts starting at $50,000 – $250,000 depending on the program. Some capacity-constrained intraday systems require more.
Accounts are opened in the client’s name at one of our cleared FCMs. The trading authority is granted to the CTA running the program. Cash and positions remain in your name throughout, and you receive daily statements directly from the FCM.
Short-Term Trading for Smaller Accounts & Self-Directed Traders
Not every short-term allocation needs to start in the six figures. For investors with smaller accounts — and for active traders who want to keep direct control of their capital — we also provide access to proprietary and selected third-party short-term trading systems that run in your own brokerage account, with execution automated through our clearing FCMs.
This is a different model from the managed CTA programs above. In a managed program, a professional CTA holds trading authority over a separately managed account. With a trading-system account, you hold the account and retain control — the system generates the short-term signals and trades them automatically on your behalf, while you keep full transparency and the ability to start, pause, or resize your exposure at any time.
Why traders choose system accounts
- Lower minimums. Access systematic short-term exposure from as little as $10,000 — well below institutional SMA minimums.
- More control. The account is in your name and under your authority. You decide which system or systems to run, and at what size.
- Proprietary + vetted third-party systems. Choose from our in-house short-term models or a curated set of established third-party short-term systems, diversified across markets and timeframes.
- Automated, hands-off execution. Signals are traded automatically through your FCM account — no manual order entry required.
- Full transparency. Daily statements come directly from the FCM, and the trading authority never extends to withdrawing your funds.
- Commission-only. Accounts are charged per-transaction commissions, with no management or performance fees added by us.
Managed program or system account — which fits?
| Managed CTA Program | Trading-System Account | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Larger, hands-off allocations | Smaller accounts & self-directed traders |
| Typical minimum | $250,000 – $1M+ | From $10,000 |
| Who trades | A professional CTA holds trading authority | You own the account; the system trades automatically |
| Control | Delegated to the CTA | You choose, size, and adjust the systems |
| Systems | Established CTA programs | Proprietary + vetted third-party short-term systems |
| Fees | Commission-only (no fees added by us) | Commission-only (no fees added by us) |
See the short-term systems available to you
Tell us your account size and select “Trading System Services” in the form below. We’ll send details on the proprietary and third-party short-term systems we offer, how automated execution works through your FCM account, and what it takes to get started — typically within one business day.
Request the program brief
If you’d like to see the disclosure document, historical performance, and program-specific details for the short-term systems we provide access to, request the program brief below. A principal will respond, typically within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
How is short-term different from trend following or momentum?
The holding period and what the system is trying to capture. Short-term programs aim to capture small, frequent edges over hours-to-days holding periods. Trend following aims for the occasional large move over weeks-to-months. Momentum sits somewhere in between, capturing persistence in price action over weeks. The three styles are typically uncorrelated and many sophisticated allocators run combinations.
What’s a typical drawdown profile for short-term systems?
Generally shallower than trend following but more frequent. A well-designed short-term program might experience 5–10% drawdowns multiple times per year, with the worst historical drawdowns in the 15–20% range for most styles. Specific drawdown statistics are provided in the program disclosure document for each system.
How much do commissions and slippage matter?
A lot. A short-term system trading 200 round-turns per year per million dollars of allocation will pay materially more in transaction costs than a trend-following system trading 30 round-turns. We negotiate institutional commission rates through our FCMs and disclose every basis point. Net-of-cost performance is the only number that matters — we report it directly.
Can I run a short-term program alongside a managed futures or trend-following allocation?
Yes, and most clients with meaningful capital do exactly that. Short-term systems are typically uncorrelated to longer-horizon programs, so combining them improves the portfolio Sharpe ratio without proportionally adding risk. Our managed futures program selection process is built around exactly this kind of multi-style construction.
Who is on the other side of these trades?
Predominantly market makers, other systematic funds, and broader institutional flow. Short-term systematic strategies are, in aggregate, taking liquidity and capturing edges that other market participants either don’t notice or aren’t fast enough to exploit. The edges are statistical, not structural — which is why they decay and need to be continuously researched and updated by the CTA running the program.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Trading futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Short-term systematic programs are speculative and may involve a high degree of risk. The information on this page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any specific managed futures program. Specific program details, including disclosure documents, are provided directly to qualified prospects under standard NFA-compliant procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the minimum investment for this program?
Minimums are negotiated case by case. We work with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, active traders, and institutional allocators across a range of account sizes. Reach out and we’ll discuss your situation.
What fees does Comercio de Sabiduria charge?
Accounts are charged a per-transaction commission only. There are no management fees and no incentive (performance) fees on top of execution. All commission terms are disclosed in your account agreement.
What types of accounts can I open?
Individual taxable accounts, IRAs and other retirement accounts, LLCs, LPs, and other entity structures. We also work with international investors subject to applicable compliance requirements.
Is Comercio de Sabiduria regulated?
Yes. Comercio de Sabiduria is an NFA-registered Introducing Broker. Accounts are cleared through R.J. O’Brien, StoneX, and Phillip Capital — three top-tier futures commission merchants.
How do I get started?
Start with a conversation with one of our principals. We discuss your goals, suitability, and which program fits your situation before any paperwork. You can reach us through the contact form on this site or by calling (800) 854-6354.
Where is Comercio de Sabiduria located?
Newport Beach, California. Our direct line is (800) 854-6354. You can reach us during U.S. market hours.
What is short-term systematic trading?
Short-term systematic trading is a rules-based approach to capturing intraday and multi-day market dislocations. Positions are typically held from a few hours to several days, with pre-defined entry and exit rules and tight risk controls.
How is short-term trading different from day trading?
Day trading closes all positions before the market closes. Short-term systematic programs may hold positions through multiple sessions, but exit on a defined timeframe — typically days, not weeks. The decisions are systematic, not discretionary.
What markets does the short-term program trade?
Diversified futures markets — equity index futures, energy, metals, grains, currencies, and fixed income — depending on the specific program. The exact universe is part of the program documentation provided to qualified prospects.
How is risk managed in a short-term program?
Risk controls are coded into the system: pre-defined stop-loss and exit rules, position sizing based on portfolio volatility, and concentration limits per market. There’s no discretionary override — the system executes the rules consistently.
Can I trade a short-term system in my own account?
Yes. In addition to managed CTA programs, we offer proprietary and selected third-party short-term trading systems that run in your own brokerage account, with execution automated through our clearing FCMs. It’s a lower-minimum option — from $10,000 — designed for smaller accounts and self-directed traders who want to keep control of their capital while a rules-based system trades the signals.