Going short on equities - IG Index?

[jammyd]

Hi,

I've read a lot on the forums here about troubles people have had
with SB brokers. Often (from my newbie perspective) it appears
that these problems are related to scalping, and playing news and
things like that.

My question is whether it's relatively safe using spreadbetting
as a method for going short on equities (for hours to a few days)?
I'm looking at starting with a small amount of capital - hence why
spreadbetting is attractive. I guess it seems to me like DMA and
options/futures etc might be a better way to go in the future, but
spreadbetting seems like a good way to start.

My question is really, are spreadbetting brokers fairly civilised when
clients are going short on equities?

NB: I've just started tradesense with IG Index, so I can start with small
stakes to test their service. What are people's experience with IG index
and equities? Is there any funny business with spiking out stops and
delaying prices, getting logged out unexpectedly etc?

Any recommendations on any better SB brokers for this kind of thing?

Thanks (and hello! this i my first posting on the forum ),

Jammyd

 

[£10kLoser]

You should have no problems at all (not from IG Index, anyway!). Unless you are a really big-time player they won't even notice or care about you at all! Some of IG's spreads are high but they play the game fairly.

I trade with them every day...

 

[timsk]

You should have no problems at all (not from IG Index, anyway!). Unless you are a really big-time player they won't even notice or care about you at all! Some of IG's spreads are high but they play the game fairly.
I trade with them every day...

Hi 10K,
If your nic' is a reflection of your trading performance, then it's unlikely that IG (or any other SB Co.) is going to do anything other than look after you with kid gloves. You're £10k poorer, IG are £10k richer and you're singing their praises! They must love you to bits!

Tim.

 

[£10kLoser]

Hi timsk

I suppose if I'd called myself £20kWinner, you'd have posted the exact opposite?

I doubt it...

 

[jammyd]

Thanks for the advice. That's good news! I'll probably stick with IG then.

I'll have to sort out another method of charting though - the IG charts look limited.
I put a short on LSE:BP shortly after the market opened today. Then I look at a decent
candlestick plot - and I see the downwards trend will reverse now as it's at a pivot point.
(or so I gather from the trader_dante charting intro thread) Doh!

I needed to see this earlier. Hope it retraces again by the end of the day.

Learning fast!

(Newbie) jammyd

 

[£10kLoser]

Maybe you're using the charts from the BP price window? If you go to the top of the page and click on Tools and then Real Time Charts, you'll get much better charting - pretty sophisticated with candlesticks and all sorts of indicators.

 

[jammyd]

Maybe you're using the charts from the BP price window? If you go to the top of the page and click on Tools and then Real Time Charts, you'll get much better charting - pretty sophisticated with candlesticks and all sorts of indicators.

Thanks, that's much better!

(I hope it's OK to post this now it's delayed by 15 mins)

Looks like I could be in profit by the end of the day.
This descent is agonising though. Breakeven is about 579.0.

jammyd