A CFD, or contract for difference, is a financial derivative that allows traders to speculate on the movement of an asset without having to own the underlying asset. It can be a valuable tool for Australian investors looking to add diversity to their portfolios.
What is CFD trading?
CFDs are traded on margin, meaning that investors only need to pay a small percentage of the total CFD value to open a CFD position. CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price movements of stocks, indices, commodities, forex pairings and more. CFD trading is flexible, with contracts available in different sizes and expiries ranging from a few days to three months.
Ways CFDs can help your investment strategy
Here are twelve ways CFDs can help your Australian investment strategy:
- CFDs provide access to a wide range of markets: CFDs enable traders to gain exposure to the price movements of commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and currencies – all from one account. CFD trading also gives investors access to international financial instruments, such as stocks from overseas exchanges that may not be available through domestic exchanges. It opens up a world of opportunity for Australian investors.
- CFDs enable leveraged trading: CFDs provide traders with the ability to use leverage, which means they can open a position with a fraction of the amount required to buy the underlying asset outright. It could allow investors to increase their potential gains – and losses – while at the same time reducing their capital outlay requirements.
- CFDs offer short-selling capabilities: CFD trading allows investors to ‘short-sell’, meaning they can speculate on falling and rising prices. It benefits those looking to take advantage of bearish markets or hedge against a portfolio of assets that have declined in value.
- CFDs permit tax advantages: CFDs can also provide tax advantages to traders in Australia who can offset any capital losses against their other taxable income. When it comes to taxes, investors may be able to claim some deductions and exemptions depending on the specific circumstances.
- CFDs provide tighter control over risk: CFDs offer investors more control over risk management by enabling them to adjust leverage levels and place stop-loss orders, which automatically close out positions if they reach a certain price level. It helps traders maintain an appropriate level of risk while still having the potential to benefit from favourable movements in markets.
- CFDs enable diversification: CFD trading allows investors to diversify by spreading their investments across different asset classes, such as CFD shares, indices, and currencies. This diversification can help reduce the overall risk of an investment portfolio by reducing exposure to any asset class.
- CFDs offer low transaction costs: CFDs typically have much lower transaction fees than traditional stockbroking commissions. Furthermore, CFD brokers may not charge overnight interest on open positions beyond market trading hours.
- CFDs provide access to global markets: CFD trading allows investors to trade in international markets without having to incur additional costs associated with currency conversions or establishing accounts with foreign brokers. It allows traders to gain exposure to a broader range of opportunities across different regions worldwide.
- CFDs allow for direct market access: CFDs provide investors with direct market access, meaning they can trade CFDs on different exchanges without going through an intermediary broker. It gives traders more control over the terms of their trades and greater flexibility in executing orders.
- CFD trading is fast and efficient: CFD trading enables investors to react quickly to changes in asset prices as CFD orders are executed electronically at near-instant speed. It allows for faster entry and exit from positions than traditional stockbroking, which often involves manual processing.
- CFDs offer multiple order types: CFDs allow traders to place multiple order types, including stop loss, limit, and trailing stops orders which help protect against adverse price movements while still allowing them to benefit from favourable ones.
- CFDs allow for more efficient portfolio management: CFDs are a versatile investment tool that can be used to manage an entire portfolio, as well as individual positions, efficiently. CFD traders can adjust leverage and risk levels according to their needs and preferences without having to purchase or sell the underlying asset directly.
In conclusion
CFD trading offers Australian investors multiple benefits, such as access to global markets, lower transaction costs, tighter control over risk management, tax advantages, and increased diversification options. CFDs also offer faster execution speeds and the ability to place multiple order types for enhanced portfolio management capabilities. Therefore, CFDs can play an essential role in helping investors achieve their financial goals.
