Cfds

What are Contracts For Difference (CFDs)? - MoneySmart

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• published: 09 Nov 2012
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Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a high-risk financial product. It is important that you understand the key features of CFDs before you decide whether or not to risk your money. Visit the MoneySmart website to learn more: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/investing/complex-investments/contracts-for-dif... Download ASIC's investor guide 'Thinking of Contracts for Difference (CFDs)' from the link above for suggested questions to ask a CFD issuer before opening an account. Because of the leverage in CFDs, gains and losses are magnified - and the risks are much greater. You can end up losing much more than you put in. The complex structure of CFDs and the risks associated with them mean that they are unlikely to meet the investment needs and objectives of most retail investors. In this video we introduce concepts of 'long' CFDs, 'short' CFDs, leverage, initial margin and margin calls. TRANSCRIPT -------------------------- Voice over: What are CFDs? Andrew: The first thing to know is that CFDs are complex and risky financial products. It's important that you fully understand how they work before you decide to invest. Unlike share trading, you don't actually own the underlying asset you are trading in. A CFD is a derivative contract between you and a CFD issuer. When you trade CFDs, you are financially exposed to changes in the value of an underlying asset while the contract remains open. The underlying asset might be a share, a commodity, a foreign exchange pair or a market index. You can 'go long' which means you buy a CFD expecting the underlying asset to increase in value. Or 'going short' on a CFD means selling it because you expect the underlying asset to decrease in value. Voice over: How can CFDs expose you to market risk? Andrew: CFDs are highly leveraged investment products. So let's take a look at an example CFD investment. Say you have $5,000 to invest. If you open a 'long' share CFD position with a value of $100,000 you will have to pay an initial margin or collateral to the CFD issuer - in this case a tiny proportion of the exposure, like 5% or $5,000. This leverage can make CFDs seem attractive, but because you are trading with leverage, both gains and losses are magnified - and you can end up losing more than you put in. If the share price drops by 1%, you could face a $1,000 loss. That's one-fifth of your $5,000 investment, before even considering fees and charges. Or worse - if an unexpected event results in a 20% fall in the opening share price, this is a $20,000 loss to you. That's your $5,000 investment gone and another $15,000 that you owe the CFD issuer. In some situations, even a 'stop loss' order may not prevent a loss of this kind. Voice over: What is a margin call and an automatic close out? Andrew: If the market turns against your CFD position; you can close your position and limit your losses; or if you keep your CFD position open, the CFD issuer will ask you to pay extra money quickly. This is known as a margin call. The CFD issuer may (but may not) close out your contract to prevent further losses. If your margin is not enough to cover your trading losses, you will still be legally obliged to make up the difference. Voice over: Are CFDs suitable for me? Andrew: You should only consider trading CFDs if you have extensive trading experience; you are used to trading in volatile market conditions, and you can afford to lose all of the money you put in and more. Voice over: What else should I know? Andrew: These are only some of the risks of trading CFDs. It's important that you read a CFD issuer's Product Disclosure Statement or PDS before you open an account. If you don't understand how the CFDs and the underlying assets work, then don't invest. To help you understand more of the risks involved, ASIC has put together the investor guide Thinking of trading in contracts for difference (CFDs), available from MoneySmart. The guide also contains suggested you should ask before opening a CFD account. You can find the guide on the MoneySmart website.