Spread Betting with FXCM

Financial spread betting is the tax-free way for UK and Ireland residents to take advantage of rising and falling markets without having to buy an asset from the underlying market. Spread bets are also commission-free and can be traded with leverage.

Why Spread Bet?

Tax Free

No capital gains tax and no stamp duty when spread betting.¹

Access to leverage

Leverage limits on the opening of a position between 30:1 or 2:1, depending on the currency pairs and price volatility of the underlying asset. ²

Multi-asset Platform

Spread bet forex, indices and commodities on FXCM's award-winning trading platform.

Spread Bet rising or falling markets

Spread betting is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of both rising and falling markets.

When you spread bet with FXCM, you enjoy:

Multiple platforms and mobile apps
Smaller bet sizes (from 7p a point)
No minimum stop or limit distances on FX and popular CFDs
Award-winning customer support

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With spread betting, spreads include a mark-up, but there are no commissions to pay—all trading costs are built into the spread. CFD-trading accounts are charged commissions.

This, in addition to the tax advantage, is why many UK and Ireland residents choose to spread bet instead of trading CFDs.

Still undecided? Find out more about CFD trading.

Spread Betting Spread Costs

Pair	Spread	Pair	Spread	Pair	Spread

AUD/CAD	2.3	AUD/CHF	3.3	AUD/JPY	1.9
AUD/NZD	3.8	AUD/USD	0.8	CAD/CHF	3.3
CAD/JPY	2.0	CHF/JPY	2.3	EUR/AUD	2.4
EUR/CAD	2.3	EUR/CHF	1.2	EUR/GBP	1.0
EUR/JPY	1.8	EUR/NOK	39.8	EUR/NZD	4.1
EUR/SEK	38.0	EUR/TRY	93.9	EUR/USD	0.7
GBP/AUD	4.2	GBP/CAD	4.0	GBP/CHF	2.7
GBP/JPY	2.3	GBP/NZD	5.9	GBP/USD	1.0
NZD/CAD	4.6	NZD/CHF	4.6	NZD/JPY	2.0
NZD/USD	0.9	TRY/JPY	6.7	USD/CAD	1.0
USD/CHF	1.0	USD/CNH	10.7	USD/JPY	0.7
USD/MXN	43.2	USD/NOK	33.4	USD/SEK	33.9
USD/TRY	96.3	USD/ZAR	78.8	ZAR/JPY	4.2

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Concept Of Spread Betting

Spread betting is a form of derivatives trade centered on speculation pertaining to the future pricing volatilities facing a specific asset class. Simply put, it is a financial tool that enables traders and investors to capitalise upon a forthcoming move in a security’s price without having to own the security.

The concept of a “spread” has a great deal of relevance to a spread bet’s function. Essentially, a spread is the difference between the bid and ask price of an asset, or the prices in which a trader may buy or sell a security on the open market.

Current supply and demand forces determine the magnitude of the bid/ask spread, influenced by liquidity providers, independent retail traders and institutional investors. As buyers and sellers interact within the marketplace, the process of price discovery ensues. This interaction influences the spread, evolving price action to a state of equilibrium.

When spreadbetting, the direction of ever-changing price action is the ultimate focus of the trade.

Why Spread Bet?

Spread betting affords traders and investors several unique advantages over other methods of engaging the capital markets. As a provider of forex and CFD market access, FXCM offers its clientele the multifold benefits of spread betting:

Asset Class Diversity:

Currencies, equities and commodities are all available for spread betting, providing a wealth of trading alternatives to individuals interested in pursuing opportunity within the marketplace.

Access To Leverage:

Up to 200:1 leverage is available to spread bettors. This enables the trade of many underlying assets that have large initial capital requirements.

Engage Rising Or Falling Markets:

Traders and investors are able to profit from periodic spikes or selloffs in the price action facing a spread betting product.

Tax Advantages:

For residents of the U.K. and Ireland, proceeds realised from spread betting are tax free.

Low Fees:

For residents of the U.K. and Ireland, proceeds realised from spread betting are tax free.

Spread Betting In Action

Assume that a new currency trader holds conviction that the EUR/USD is going to rise from a current level of 1.1200. In order to benefit from the perceived opportunity, the trader contacts a spread betting firm and is quoted a spread of 1.1200/1.1203. The transaction is then executed accordingly:

A long position is opened at 1.1203
Leverage is implemented at £1 per pip
The EUR/USD rallies to 1.1210
The proposition is exercised at 1.1210
Profits are calculated and realised, 7 pips * £1 per pip = approximately £7

Of course, in the event that the EUR/USD fell 7 pips from entry, then a loss of £7 is sustained. In much the same fashion as many other modes of trade, successful spread betting is the product of sound strategy, proper money management and consistency within the marketplace.

For those interested in spread betting, FXCM provides market access via multiple platforms and mobile apps along with award-winning customer support. In addition, a robust suite of educational materials and a free £50,000 practice account are available to individuals looking to take their trading to the next level.

Tax Treatment: The UK tax treatment of your financial betting activities depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future, or may differ in other jurisdictions.

Leverage: Leverage is a double-edged sword and can dramatically amplify your profits. It can also just as dramatically amplify your losses. Trading foreign exchange with any level of leverage may not be suitable for all investors.

Hypothetical/Simulated Performance: These results are based on simulated or hypothetical performance results that have certain inherent limitations. Unlike the results shown in an actual performance record, these results do not represent actual trading. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to these being shown. Simulated or hypothetical trading programs are generally designed with the benefit of hindsight, do not involve financial risk, and possess other factors which can adversely affect actual trading results.

Spread Betting: FXCM UK offers tax exempt spread betting accounts exclusively to UK and Ireland residents. Residents of other countries are NOT eligible. Spread betting is not intended for distribution to, or use by any person in any country and jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. The UK tax treatment of your financial betting activities depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change. Spread Betting accounts offer spread plus mark-up pricing only. Spreads are variable and are subject to delay.

Average Spreads: Time-weighted average spreads are derived from tradable prices at FXCM from April 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018. Spreads are variable and are subject to delay. The spread figures are for informational purposes only. FXCM is not liable for errors, omissions or delays or for actions relying on this information.