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Spread Betting |
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Welcome to Spread-Betting.org the financial spread betting website that caters for the less experienced investor as well as the more experienced trader.
As well as spread betting company reviews and where to find tight spreads, we discuss key topics such as:
In each case we cover how and where to spread bet. You can find further regular articles on the spread betting markets in our Spread Betting Blog.
Spread Betting Account Comparison
A look at key aspects of spread betting accounts from some of the leading providers.
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| Candlestick Charts |
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| 24 Hour Trading |
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| Typical Minimum Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Min Account Opening Deposit |
£0 |
£150 |
£0 |
£0 |
£100 |
£0 |
£0 |
| Stop Loss |
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| Guaranteed Stops |
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| Demo Account |
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| Web Platform |
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| Online Application |
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| Deposit Account |
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| Credit Account |
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| FSA - Authorised and Regulated |
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Spread betting may also be available with other companies - notes.
Spread Betting Price Comparison
A spread betting comparison of some of the most popular spread betting markets. For a full comparison see spread betting companies.
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| FTSE 100 daily (spread size) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Dow Jones daily (spread size) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
| EUR/USD (spread size) |
1 |
0.8 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
| GBP/USD (spread size) |
2 |
0.8 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
| Gold (spread size) |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| UK Crude Oil (spread size) |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
Spread betting may also be available with other companies - notes.
The Advantages of Spread Betting
1) Spread Betting is Tax Free*.
There is no Capital Gains Tax, no Stamp Duty and no Income Tax on spread bets.
2) Wide Variety of Markets
Financial spread betting offers a wide variety of markets on which you can trade including the World’s leading stock markets indices, forex, commodities, stock and shares, interest rates, sectors and bonds.
3) No Commissions or Brokers Fees
Because you are trading directly with a spread betting company, and not through a brokerage, the vast majority of spread betting companies do not charge any commissions or broker's fees.
4) Two Way Trading
Spread betting lets you trade in both directions. You can spread bet on markets to go down. If you think that a stock market index like the FTSE 100 or DAX 30 will go down, you can speculate on it to go down.
Naturally, if you think that a market will go up then you can still spread bet on it to go up.
5) 24 Hour Trading
Whilst you can spread bet online and over the phone there is the additional advantage that a range of markets can be traded outside market hours. The London Stock Exchange may close at 4.30pm London time but with firms like FinancialSpreads.com you can trade the FTSE 100 Index 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.
6) Free Data and Information
Most of the leading spread betting firms provide free charts to their account holders. A number of the spread betting firms also provide free financial data, and whilst the data available can vary, it often includes Events Calendars, Market Heat Maps, Technical Analysis and Company Specific Data.
7) Spread Betting Risk Management
Investing does have its drawbacks and spread betting is no different. Nevertheless, there are things that investors can do in order to reduce their downside.
Trading with small stakes is a useful risk management technique. Yes, your profits may be smaller but your potential losses are also reduced.
Also, adding a Guaranteed Stop Loss Order to a spread bet helps reduce the risks without reducing the upside. If an investor started losing on a trade, and the market reached the pre-determined level of the Guaranteed Stop Loss, then the Order will close the trade and stop any further loss of capital.
Spread Betting Risks
Before you spread bet though please note that you can lose more than your initial investment. Spread betting carries a high level of risk so ensure that it matches your investment requirements. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the risks. Where necessary, seek independent advice.
Why Spread Betting
With the world in recovery mode, many people are still questioning how the markets got so out of control. They are also questioning something a little closer to home; their own finances.
Diversification of assets, tax efficiency and opportunities in volatile markets are all key areas for many investors. And most of us could benefit from a little more research and financial planning.
Naturally a lot of people are being proactive. They are searching for better savings rates, buying and selling stocks and shares, actively moving their mortgages etc.
Financial spread betting may have been around since the 1970s but investors are now turning to this form of trading in ever greater numbers. The speed at which you can trade, the number of trading opportunities and easy access to global markets make spread betting worth exploring.
Naturally, as with all types of investment, be it on stocks and shares, ETFs, pensions etc, there is a negative side and with spread betting you need to be careful because you can lose more than you initially invested.
Nevertheless, as listed above, spread betting does offer a wide range of benefits.
Spread Betting Companies
Latest Review: Financial Spreads: The London based financial spread trading firm has launched a new platform that offers a wide range of improvements as well as improved pricing and...more: Financial Spreads.
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With spread betting you can lose more than your original stake or investment. Spread betting carries a high level of risk to your capital so please familiarise yourself with the risks that are involved and, before trading, ensure that spread betting matches your investment objectives. Seek independent advice where necessary.
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* Based on current UK tax law. Tax law may change and can differ depending on your personal circumstances.
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