Some of the most commonly traded futures markets include MES and ES for the S&P 500, MNQ and NQ for the Nasdaq, MYM and YM for the Dow, along with commodities like gold and crude oil. Futures contracts come in different sizes including micro, mini, and full-size contracts. Micro contracts are smaller and carry less risk, which makes them ideal for beginners who are still learning how to manage trades and protect their capital.