Should I trade using CFDs or spreadbetting?

[TommyHilton]

Hello. I am quite new to the forum, this is my first post (I hope it is in the right forum section).

I have been trading for a short time, trading using CFDs on the IG Markets broker platform. I am trading in Forx majors, indices, Gold, and equities. The minimum commission (10 basis pts) on equities is £10 each way (thus £20 per trade in/out); the smallest contract size for the others are £10k positions where the commission is built into the spread. I am trading short-term positions and mostly intraday.

I am finding the commission charges on equities (although I realise the commission is low relatively) to be too much for me. Also, the minimum position for FORX is £10k (1 contract); FTSE100 index is £2/point; Gold is £25 per point - I am finding the exposure on these too high sometimes.

So my question is this:

Ignoring the tax benefits of spreadbetting, please can I have views on: between using either CFDs or spreadbetting which would I be better off trading with?

I am considering moving to spreadbetting because, I am assume this would enable smaller trade sizes than CFDs, if so desired?

However, are the spreads offered by spreadbetting brokers generally not as good as CFD brokers, for trading in things like FORX, indices, commodities? How do they compare?

And what commission works out cheaper on a £10k exposure position on an equity: a £10 commission charge each way on share CFDs, or the commission-affected spread of a spreadshbetting broker?

thanks

 

[Fast trader]

I trade with Tradefair - the spreads makes the difference for Spreadbetting and am looking for a CFD provider so that I can put together a larger portfolio. There are tax implications with CFDs but also breaks if you do unfortunately make losses.

The spreads are mostly pretty similar between the two offerings but I've heard that it's easier to get filled with CFD's and theat you're taken more seriously by most of the operators.

I'd also be interested in useful comparisons on price and commissions

FT

 

[anley]

The best way to answer your questions is you do the work, you work out how much it costs to trade a certain market in CFDs and spread bets (with a few brokers).

By doing the work yourself you'll find many more questions and have to answer them as well. The net result is that you'll learn a lot.

Personally I'd always trade CFDs with a larger account, the tax losses can come in useful as well if you don't get the trades right. Spread bets though do have their role and what you m9ight find is that when you want to buy say the Vodafone today, spread bets might be the best tool. Other days it might be CFDs, it all depends on what's happening in the market, how much you want to risk, how long the trade will be held for etc.

Good luck, those who put effort into the cost of doing business and not just effort into where the market is going normally get better results over the long term. This business like most is just as much about costs as P&L. Many don't realise that which is a shame.