Which is the best Spread bet broker and why

[minx]

The advantage of spread betitng is that you can enter the market with a few quid, good when you are getting started. However, once you are at 10.00 a point sort of level, no reason not to switch to direct access, other than the tax issue of course.

Yes but when tax is levied at about 40% its quite a good reason for not using direct access. I think i've said it before but if the spread is less than the tax liable then you may aswell spreadbet. Even if there isnt much in them I try to spreadbet just so Brown doesnt get the money, he takes far too much already imho!

 

[hevmic]

Avoid at all costs CMC alias Deal4Free

Why there spreads are excellent and the role over cash position is wonderful. Obviously one has to call the market right which is not always possible.
Heather

 

[aberry]

been using IG for FTSE 100 + 250 for a few years. Pretty happy with it - they have recently introduced electronic contingent orders which I "beleive" (pls inform me otherwise) no other SB Broker has.

I am also with IG index, nice platform and easy to use, their spreads are quite tight also.

I am in the process of testing out the www.tradequant.com system with spreads, will see how it goes.

regards

 

[the blades]

I am also with IG index, nice platform and easy to use, their spreads are quite tight also.

I am in the process of testing out the www.tradequant.com system with spreads, will see how it goes.

regards

I once tried this, without success. I think it works best with a bit of volatility - I got bored of waiting for the trades. One word of advice - often the target price is hit on the open, you miss the chance. Make sure you place your order with the SB firm as early as possible.

Good luck.

UTB

 

[Roberto]

Had an email this morning from Capital Spreads raising the minimum bet on S&P500 from £1 per point to £10 !!

That's funny. I had an email from them the same day saying that in line with all the other firms' products they're cutting the point size from 1 index point of the S&P to 0.1 index points, but that the minimum bet size remains £1.

 

[aberry]

I once tried this, without success. I think it works best with a bit of volatility - I got bored of waiting for the trades. One word of advice - often the target price is hit on the open, you miss the chance. Make sure you place your order with the SB firm as early as possible.

Good luck.

UTB

Cheers for that UTB, will let you know how it goes. Do you use any other systems at the moment?

Regards
AB

 

[the blades]

Cheers for that UTB, will let you know how it goes. Do you use any other systems at the moment?

Regards
AB

Hello AB,

I don't use any other systems at the moment, other than my own.

I would give the tradequant a try - I don't think I gave it a fair crack and unlike many systems, at least they demonstrate performance history.

If I were looking for a system, I'd look at the ones compared at www.collective2.com (I think!).

Some impressive results there, and some at a price that might be worth a try. As always, it's fair to question why any system is better offered to others rather than traded by the developer, but hey, who knows :?: .

UTB

 

[aberry]

Hello AB,

I don't use any other systems at the moment, other than my own.

I would give the tradequant a try - I don't think I gave it a fair crack and unlike many systems, at least they demonstrate performance history.

If I were looking for a system, I'd look at the ones compared at www.collective2.com (I think!).

Some impressive results there, and some at a price that might be worth a try. As always, it's fair to question why any system is better offered to others rather than traded by the developer, but hey, who knows :?: .

UTB

Hi UTB

Thanks for the reply. I do agree with you on the results at Tradequant, the one thing that appealed to me most was the fact that they are regulated by the FSA, I shall give them a good go anyway and will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the information on the collective2 website.

Speak soon

regards
AB

 

[debs]

been using IG for FTSE 100 + 250 for a few years. Pretty happy with it - they have recently introduced electronic contingent orders which I "beleive" (pls inform me otherwise) no other SB Broker has.

Finspreads now offer electronic contingent orders....D.

 

[Splitlink]

Yes agree with that, long term spreadbetting better, daytrading use direct no question

Overnight or longer for spreadbetters, intraday will get you losses because of spread and bias.

Having said that, what do you prefer , rolling or date expiry trades? I use rolling, the overnight charge isn't bad but I haven't worked out the economics of which is the better. I'm rarely in longer than nine days.

Split

 

[Roberto]

intraday will get you losses because of spread and bias.

A popular myth. Some people make a living from intraday spreadbetting. Some SB firms have no bias at all. It appears that way to some because of the way the cash prices are derived from the futures. Debated fully in many other threads.

 

[LION63]

Some spreads are tight enough to provide ample opportunity to make intraday profits. To a large extent in depends on the instruments traded and the company(ies) one uses.

 

[hevmic]

H, I use rolling overnight positions, however the time I seem to stay in is when I am in the wong direction. I wish I could devise a method where I stay in for the longer periods when I am in the money. I also wish I could keep my pofits. I feel like a yoyo - up down, up down. Overall I am up by a fair margin this year but will I be able to keep this ---- one never knows. If you have any good tips please advise. All the best,
Heather

 

[Splitlink]

H, I use rolling overnight positions, however the time I seem to stay in is when I am in the wong direction. I wish I could devise a method where I stay in for the longer periods when I am in the money. I also wish I could keep my pofits. I feel like a yoyo - up down, up down. Overall I am up by a fair margin this year but will I be able to keep this ---- one never knows. If you have any good tips please advise. All the best,
Heather

Hi Heather,

How many shares are you looking at? I am down to one and I study it and trade it through thick and thin, as well as the index it is in. It is surprising how well I have got to know the ups and downs and the patterns it makes. If you trade shares on a main index , most of them go up and down with that index , so why bother watching them all? Being a fairly laid back trader I do not bother with real time charts now. The free fifteen minute retarded ones are good enough for me. I have traded the share I use four times in the last ten days, the first three profitable and one still open.

Other guys are going to say that I am missing out by being so rigid, but I have been able to steadily increase my stakes and spend less time searching.

Split

 

[LION63]

Splitlink,

The profitable choice is ALWAYS the right choice, if you are able to make money trading the shares of 1 company and 1 index, does it really matter what others say?

 

[Roberto]

Other guys are going to say that I am missing out by being so rigid

They shouldn't; and if they do you will know to ignore them and carry on making profits. There are advantages to specialising! And you will know your one share so well that if its volatility changes radically or for some other reason you need to re-think your trading, you'll be very well placed to realise this promptly.

 

[Splitlink]

The SB is easier to monitor, as well. His widening and narrowing of spreads can be studied more closely
if you only have one share. Of course, when one is younger one can watch a few at a time, but I ain't no spring chicken! My advice is not to have many and get to know those- when they have results, dividends, the lot and, apart from charts, sixth sense will keep you out of trouble, too. Sixth sense is only your instinct
trying to tell you something that you know but cannot remember, anyway, and shouldn't be disregarded.

Split

 

[hevmic]

Hi Splitlink,
I used to trade shares on the Footsie 100, but then got sidetracked into spread betting the actual index . As everyone knows the index fluctuates fast and extreme. I suppose I have got hooked on the quick losses or fortunes made. I really must try to get back into trading normally.
I liked Standard Charter as a share which has movement - obviously not as fast or wide as the Footsie! If I could devise a way to keep profits on the index' I will become a rich lady!
Thanks for the advise. Are you allowed to say which share you trade?
Happy trading
Heather

 

[Splitlink]

Hi Splitlink,
I used to trade shares on the Footsie 100, but then got sidetracked into spread betting the actual index . As everyone knows the index fluctuates fast and extreme. I suppose I have got hooked on the quick losses or fortunes made. I really must try to get back into trading normally.
I liked Standard Charter as a share which has movement - obviously not as fast or wide as the Footsie! If I could devise a way to keep profits on the index' I will become a rich lady!
Thanks for the advise. Are you allowed to say which share you trade?
Happy trading
Heather

Hi Heather,

I think we all get sidetracked into index trading at one time or other. Some of us, the successful ones, stay and the rest of us, me at least, get out while the going is good. Share trading is my
speed and I must be content with that!

My financial advisers tell me that my one share is classified information ! The real reason is that as soon as I tell anyone, it goes against me. In any case, Standard Charter is just as good, they all have their ups and downs.

Regards Split

 

[Zaheer]

Finspreads are Quality!!!