Cfd trading meaning
CFD trading enables investors to speculate on various financial markets, such as stocks, forex (foreign exchange market), indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, it is an advanced trading strategy that experienced traders generally employ and is not allowed in the United States Versus Trade.
If you buy a CFD in Apple Inc stock and the price rises, your broker will credit your account in line with the price move, once you have closed the position. If the price falls, you’ll record a loss, and your broker will debit your account the appropriate amount of cash. When you sell short, rather than go long on a CFD position, you will profit if the price of the underlying asset falls.
This material has been prepared without regard to any particular investment objectives or financial situation and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Not all of the financial instruments and services referred to are offered by eToro and any references to past performance of a financial instrument, index, or a packaged investment product are not, and should not be taken as, a reliable indicator of future results.
CFDs offer sophisticated traders a capital-efficient way to speculate on price shifts across global markets without owning underlying assets. While the leverage, market accessibility, and trading flexibility make CFDs attractive to experienced investors seeking diversified exposure, these advantages come with significant risks.
Cfd trading account
With certain types of spot forex trading, traders can take delivery of the asset (currency). For example, a trader that buys the EUR/USD with the ability to take delivery of the asset will pay for the transaction in U.S. dollars – and will, in turn, receive euros in their account. By contrast, a CFD trader that buys the EUR/USD cannot take delivery of any currency, and can only close the position by selling an equivalent amount of EUR/USD to exit the trade.
eToro was founded in Israel, and is registered in the U.S., U.K., Cyprus, and Australia. This global reach has helped the broker spread to 27 million users in 140 countries. Due to its international focus, the broker has made CFD trading a core component of its offerings.
CFD regulations differ from country to country, but the best CFD trading platforms are self-regulated. Brokers make their money from trading fees – CFD trading casualties negatively impact brokers’ bottom lines as badly as they hurt traders.
With certain types of spot forex trading, traders can take delivery of the asset (currency). For example, a trader that buys the EUR/USD with the ability to take delivery of the asset will pay for the transaction in U.S. dollars – and will, in turn, receive euros in their account. By contrast, a CFD trader that buys the EUR/USD cannot take delivery of any currency, and can only close the position by selling an equivalent amount of EUR/USD to exit the trade.
eToro was founded in Israel, and is registered in the U.S., U.K., Cyprus, and Australia. This global reach has helped the broker spread to 27 million users in 140 countries. Due to its international focus, the broker has made CFD trading a core component of its offerings.
Cfd trading platforms
Leverage: Though some traders can use a certain degree of leverage when trading shares (pattern day traders in the U.S., for example, can access up to 4:1 leverage), in most cases leverage is not available when trading cash equities (stocks). CFDs operate differently. CFD traders in the EU, for example, can access up to 5:1 leverage (reminder: CFDs are not available for trading in the U.S. or for U.S. residents). Check out my guide to the best high leverage brokers.
This low equity requirement is one of the reasons that CFD trading is illegal for U.S. traders. Financial regulators in the U.S. require a 25% maintenance margin for stocks. CFD trading platforms offer up to 20 times leverage on stock CFDs – that’s a maintenance margin of only 5%.
The CFTC also regulates the spot forex cash market. This means that U.S. residents who want to trade forex are required to do so with a U.S-regulated forex broker (you can find a U.S.-regulated forex broker with our guide to the Best U.S. Forex Brokers).
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