Rosenthal Collins Group Review

Richard Montana | November 17, 2022

Rosenthal Collins Group (RCG) is a brokerage firm, commodities broker and regulated futures commission merchant (FCM). RCG offers you a great range of financial instruments to trade on a fantastic selection of sophisticated and advanced trading platforms. There is a plethora of trading tools available to ensure that you can conduct in-depth market analysis to help you with your trade decisions. I do think that this broker is more catered towards professional traders. If you are new to trading online then you may find the platforms overwhelming. I have been trading for many years and even I was slightly confused at times. That being said, if you are looking for an institutional trading conditions in a regulated environment, they are certainly a strong contender.

Summary

Rosenthal Collins Group (RCG) is a leading commodities broker and futures commission merchant that offers you multiple electronic trading services. I like how the broker offers its services to a broad range of professional, institutional and retail clients from all over the world. It also offers trade executions, clearing and introducing broker services.

RCG’s history dates back to 1923 when it started as Greene and Collins but it became RCG in 1988. In 2019, RCG was acquired by Marex Spectron; a renowned commodities broker with an extensive range of markets. Its headquarters is located in Chicago while other offices are located in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc. They have a wide range of institutional, commercial, professional and retail customers around the globe, as well as a large network of more than 150 introducing broker and correspondent brokerage relationships.

The broker offers multiple tradable assets on several powerful trading platforms. They state that anything you can imagine to trade is available in the commodity futures and financial futures markets that they provide you with access to.  Whether you’re a Self-Directed, Active or Algorithmic Trader, RCG has the trading platforms, APIs and technology resources to accommodate you.

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Regulation

Rosenthal Collins Group is a Division of Marex, Marex is a privately owned broker of financial products in the commodities sector and a leader in brokering physical energy products. They are regulated by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (CME), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and National Futures Association (NFA). This really is top-tier regulation that gives me the utmost confidence that they are a trusted broker. I personally wouldn’t have any issue using them for my day trading activities.

Platforms

When it comes to trading and investing platforms, Rosenthal Collins Group really blow a lot of the competition out of the water. I was extremely impressed with the selection of industry leading platforms that they have available. There are platforms for all trading styles, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding a futures trading platform that suits you at RCG. They offer platforms for individual, institutional, professional and high-frequency traders. I was slightly surprised and a little disappointed that MetaTrader isn’t available but can’t really complain considering the quality of the platform that are. If like me, you are a MetaTrader user, then IG can be a good alternative broker to consider.

RCG Onyx Plus

RCG Onyx Plus is a proprietary futures trading platform preloaded with sophisticated trading and analytical tools. I like how it gives a direct connection to all major US exchanges as well as international exchanges. The platform is available as a downloadable Windows desktop application and also as ‘RCG Onyx Plus WebTrader.

RCG RCG Onyx Plus Trading Platform

Here are some of the key RCG Onyx Plus features:

• Quotes and charts are displayed in real-time.
• One-click trading supported.
• Market depth feature is incorporated.
• Fully customizable layouts and interface.
• Supports multitasking by allowing the opening of multiple windows.
• Features the ‘thermometer’ which shows the market temperature.

CQG Platforms

RCG offers 3 excellent trading platforms powered by CQG Inc; an American software company specializing in technological solutions specifically for the financial markets. Here are the platforms:

CQG Trader

This is built for traders who have no interest in technical analysis and charting. It has the DOM Trader which shows depth of Markets and other useful features.

RCG CQG Trader

CQG QTrader

This platform features complex charting, speed and global market access. It incorporates the DOMTrader and SnapTrader.

RCG CQG QTrader

CQG Integrated Client

This is the flagship trading platform from CQG designed for professionals. I like how it features multiple order types, sophisticated charts and analysis as well as integrated market news sources.

RCG CQG Integrated Client

Cunningham Trading System (CTS)

CTS T4 is a futures and options trading platform that connects to several exchanges across the world. The platform is available as T4 Desktop, T4 WebTrader and T4 mobile trading apps. It features a customizable interface, live quotes, multiple order types and one-click trading. I like how it supports charting and analysis as well as 24 hour support for the platform developers.

RCG CTS T4 Trading Platform

OptionsCity Software Inc.

This is a company that develops trading software platforms. RCG offers you 2 platforms developed by OptionsCity.

Metro^TM

This is an award winning options trading platform that controls pricing, execution and risk management. I like how it presents a user friendly and customizable interface, supports multiple options pricing and skewing methods, proprietary quoting algorithms, etc.

RCG OptionsCity Metro

Freeway^TM

This is a trading platform for building and deploying algorithms with swift executions. Its features include direction connection, full IDE, risk management, data visualization, Algo Store^TM, multi-asset trading, etc.

RCG OptionsCity Freeway

Orc Trading

Orc Trading offers a suite of trading solutions developed by Orc Group (now part of Broadridge). It is a popular choice for professional traders, hedge funds and market makers. Orc Spreader provides a spread trading solution for futures, Orc Market maker is for options market makers while Orc Liquidators is for those of you who desire custom trading strategies. I appreciate how the platform features access to multiple markets, market making and auto trading tools, risk management tools, etc. The auto trading is something I found to be especially useful as I am always running automated strategies.

RCG Orc Trading Platform

RANorder

RCG has offered this platform for several years now. It is designed for the management of Exchange Traded Futures (ETFs) and options on futures. I like how it is a single platform that gives access to both electronic and open-outcry markets. It is available as WebTrader, XML and windows desktop applications.

Trading Technologies International Inc. (TT)

TT is an American company that develops futures trading platforms, derivatives trading platforms and execution solutions. RCG uses two platforms from TT:

X_TRADER

This is a powerful front-end platform that is fast, reliable and replete with trading and analytic features. It features customizable screen, market depth, multiple order types and full charting package.

RCG TT X_Trader

X_TRADER Pro

This platform integrates all the features of the X_TRADER plus Autospreader and Autotrader which adds automated trading features to the platform.

Quick Screen Trading (QST)

Quick Screen Trading is a flexible and fast futures and options trading platform designed by Computer Voice Systems; a Chicago, USA based software company. Quick Suite Trading is considered one of the best, most comprehensive futures trading platforms on the market today. By combining accuracy and reliability with simplicity, speed, and scalability, Quick Suite Trading is a total solution for brokerage firms and professional traders.

Here are some of the Quick Screen Trading features:

• One-click trading supported.
• Easy management and fulfilment of orders.
• Options and future contracts display currency value of the asset and not only the last trade.
• Available on desktop, mobile and on the web.
• Supports multiple monitors and multiple tabbed workspaces.

RCG QST Trading Platform

Market Access API

You can write directly to the RCG FIX API for market data, a service also available with other leading platforms that RCG offers. And, no matter the platform you prefer, you can customize it with quotes, charts, news and market commentary from some of the best in the industry.

Tools

To be honest, the excellent range of platforms should have more than enough built-in tools to satisfy the needs of even the most demanding of traders. There is an almost limitless amount of possibilities when it comes to complex market analysis from the technical to the fundamentals, price action and more. That being said, RCG to provide some additional tools to help further enhance the already impressive trading environment.

Server Hosting

Upon request, RCG offers several options for server hosting services. I like how no matter what service is chosen, you are offered excellent speed and reliability. This service is apt for proprietary trading shops, algorithmic traders and other professionals that need low latency connections. I host platforms on my server as it is a great way for me to run my automated systems around the clock without needing my computer switched on.

RCG Market News

Every market day, the RCG website updates the ‘daily technical spotlight’ on a chosen instrument. I like how you can also sign up for RCG’s daily technical spotlight and have it delivered via email. It contains annotated charts as well as trading ideas on selected assets.

Futures Calendar

This shows the economic report dates from governments from all over the world. It also shows futures trading days, exchange holidays and options expiration days. I think the economic calendar is a vital tool that I like to check before confirming any trade decisions.

Education

RCG has no educational resources on its website which I find to be quite disappointing. Educational materials such as tutorial videos, trading guides, webinars and seminars, can help you to improve your trading skills and knowledge whilst they also support informed trading. If you’d like a good selection of educational resources, you could check out Forex.com. That being said, I think they are catering towards experienced users which probably explains the lack of educational content.

Markets

RCG is a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) that has access to an extensive network of global exchanges and so, offers multiple assets for trading. The following asset classes are available:

• Agricultural commodities
• Currency pairs
• Energy
• Soft commodities
• Metals
• Fixed income
• Stock indices

Commodities Markets

Whether it is a commodity like gold or crude oil, a financial instrument like U.S. T-notes or a stock index like the S&P 500, there is a futures market for it that you can trade.

Exchange Access

At Rosenthal Collins Group, you have access to the world’s leading futures exchanges on four continents. They are clearing members on 10 exchanges, including divisions of CME Group and ICE Futures.

Accounts

The following account types are offered by RCG:

• Individual accounts: This account is designed for those of you who wish to invest or trade the futures markets
• Corporate accounts
• Partnership and LLC accounts
• Trust accounts

Practice Account

Practice accounts are available on most trading platforms but are usually only available for 14 days.

Account Signup

To open a new trading account, just visit the broker’s website and click on the ‘open account’ button found on the right hand side of every webpage. From the list the displays, select ‘online application’ to display the ‘account application’ page. You can begin the application process by following the instructions on the screen. Fill out the form carefully to create your new trading account.

Support

RCG has a dedicated client support team that is available from 8am to 5pm CST. The team can be reached on phone, fax and email. A ‘send us a message’ form is also available on the ‘contact us’ page of RCG website. On social media, they are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. It would’ve been nice if they offered 24/7 customer support in case of emergencies but this isn’t really a deal breaker.

Funding

You can only fund your account by wire transfer, ACH or check. This is quite a limited choice. I think they can improve by adding support for some digital wallets. However, I understand that this may not be possible due to regulators. RCG does not accept payments from third parties. The name on the trading account must match the name on the bank account or source of funding. RCG does not accept cash deposits, money orders, foreign checks, etc. I really appreciate this feature as it can help to prevent any fraudulent activity.

The following payment options are accepted:

Bank Wire Transfer

This involves direct account deposits from the clients’ account to RCG’s account. This option is mostly available to every client but its main disadvantage is that it takes time, usually 2-7 days before it is completely processed.

Automatic Clearing House (ACH) Network

This method of payment involves electronic transfer of funds from the clients’ bank to RCG’s banks via the ACH network. It is a very popular payment option used in USA.

Check

RCG only accepts checks from US banks.

Conclusion

RCG is one of the oldest brokerage firms that are still in operation today and backed by rock-solid financials. They are a clearing member on 7 exchanges and has access to more exchanges including the London Metal Exchange and Eurex. As a global commodities broker and futures commission merchant, they provide you with a good range of electronic trading services including clearing and trade executions.

I like how they have extensive experience in the commodity futures industry and cutting-edge technology. You can get institutional access to leading exchanges across the world via top-class trading platforms. The range of available trading platforms is exhaustive; there are over 10 platforms available for web, mobile and desktop.

Arguably, there is too much choice and complexity for the average retail trader when it comes to platforms. They may be more suited to the user-friendly MetaTrader platforms which unfortunately are not available through this broker. If you’d like to trade on the popular MT4 or MT5 platforms, you could take a look at Oanda instead. I think that may be a more suitable route for beginners unless you are ready to jump right in at the deep end.

Although demo accounts are available, they are limited to just a 14-day trial period. The payment options available are also not comprehensive especially considering that there are no modern e-wallet payment options which can be quicker and more convenient for many traders. Furthermore, there are no training resources to assist beginner traders with improving their trading knowledge and skills. However, this is nit-picking when you consider the overall service.

From the trading pit to the trading screen. From Chicago to New York to London to Singapore. At Rosenthal Collins Group, you have all the resources you need for superior trade execution on major exchanges around the globe.

$5,000

Rosenthal Collins Group (RCG) is a well-established brokerage firm, commodities broker and regulated futures commission merchant (FCM). RCG offers trading instruments on a wide range of professional trading platforms for all of your devices.

An investment in futures contracts involves a high degree of risk.

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About the Author

Richard Montana
Richard has many years of experience in broker research, testing, analysis and reviews. He knows what to look for through years of trading himself with different brokers and listening to the feedback of others.