CFDs or Contracts for Difference are trading instruments. They are basically agreements for exchanging the difference in the value of a specified financial instrument at which the contract was opened and its value at which it was closed. CFD trading of a share involves the cash price of the share on which a nominal commission of about 0.1 percent of the value of the transaction has to be paid. At the time of opening a position, only 5 percent of the full value of the shares has to be deposited, which enables the trader to trade up to 20 times his initial capital. At the time of closing the position, the difference between the opening contract value and the closing contract value will go to the account of the trader.
CFD trading is obviously a matter of speculation but in order to ensure success in this kind of trading, the following steps should be taken.
Finding The Right Provider
The first step is to find the right online CFD provider like IG markets that would offer a wide range of global CFDs at the most competitive rates. You should also ensure that the provider has a reliable browser-based platform and adequate trading resources along with complete trading solutions. It should also be easy for you to open an account with no minimum account opening balance. Your success at trading in CFDs will depend largely on the facilities provided by the provider, such as the type of trading platform, range of markets, and market analysis information.
Before starting CFD trading, FX trading or trading in currency markets, it is important for you to understand the market and assess the potential of different markets in relation to volatility and large price fluctuations. Your provider should offer regular upcoming financial announcements, economic indicators, detailed analyses, and market commentaries so that you are aware of the latest financial events. It is also necessary to attend free, online seminars to get information regarding balanced portfolio management, and how to manage trading in CFDs.
Effective CFD Trading Strategy
An effective CFD trading strategy involves actively monitoring your open positions so that it is possible to deal immediately with sudden volatility and wide fluctuations. Your provider should allow you to place a stop losses order so that you can cut your losses off short, and let your profits keep moving. You have to formulate the correct exit strategy in order to ensure CFD trading success. A simple moving average crossover system should be the trading strategy, and for its success you need to have a stop-loss strategy in place that can protect the initial trading capital. Moreover, it is important that the stop-loss is not moved downward at any stage even if your position is moving down toward the stop-loss. Maintaining discipline in this aspect will pay you in the long run.
When you start to trade in CFDs, it is advisable to start in a small way, get the feel of the trade, and build your confidence level as you go along. It takes time to gather experience and to learn the different maneuvers that will give you success. In the early stages, it is possible to make a few mistakes, and as such if the stakes are low you will be able to absorb the loss and get the experience to move on. By following the above steps, trading in CFDs can be a successful venture.