Similarities and Differences of Spread Betting and CFD Trading

The debate that involves CFD trading and spread betting has been going on for years. Though they are both leveraged products, the tax treatment is totally different from one another. This is just one of the many differences in CFD trading and spread betting. But which one is the best option for you? We will tackle everything in this article.

Overview

CFD trading is when you speculate on the difference between the opening and closing price of the contract. With Contract for Difference (CFD), you are capable of buying or selling anytime you want and utilize leverage to gain more profit. Most importantly, you don’t own the underlying asset which exempts you from paying stamp duty.

Spread Betting, on the other hand, is simply speculating whether the price will rise or fall. As for your position size, it will be the amount you bet in every point of movement you have. For instance, you are thinking that the price of USD/EUR will go up. You bet for £5 per point on your preferred currency pair. If the price really goes up, you will receive a profit of £5 per point. But if the price declines, you will also lose £5 per point.

Similarities of CFD Trading and Spread Betting

There are similarities in CFD trading and Spread betting such as:

• Leverage

Both CFD trading and spread betting are leveraged products. This means that you can increase the size of your position even with a small deposit.

• Derivatives

Spread betting and CFD trading are also derivatives. Traders don’t own the underlying asset.

•  Holding Costs

There are holding fees for both CFD and spread betting.

•  Market Access

These two allow its traders to invest in a wide range of markets including futures, forex trading, options, gold, and cryptocurrencies.

• Long & Short

Both instruments offer long and short positions.

•  Demo Accounts

Demo accounts are very useful, especially for new traders. Luckily, both spread betting and CFD trading offers demo accounts before traders invest their real money. It’s like getting-to-know trading without spending your hard cash.

•  Platforms

You can trade CFD and spread betting thru mobile apps or on the desktop.

• Education

If you think that you lack knowledge of CFD trading and spread betting, you don’t have to worry. There are a lot of online courses available nowadays and even tutorial videos with lots of tips and facts about these two derivatives.

• Short-term and long-term

If you are a day-trade, then spread betting and CFD trading are suitable for you.

Differences between CFD Trading and Spread Betting

• Tax – Tax implications of CFD trading and Spread betting is totally different. In the UK, spread betting is exempted from capital gains tax and stamp duty. As for CFD traders, they are exempted from paying the stamp duty but not the capital gains tax.
• Fees – CFD trading fees are charged as commission and spreads. While in spread betting, fees are already included in spreads.
• Account Types – Spread betting is mostly being offered in individual accounts while CFD trading has an option for corporate or individual accounts.

Hedging – You can hedge with spread betting but it is more suitable in CFD trading or Forex Trading.