Margin

When you trade CFDs, traders have CFD margin requirements to maintain. The CFD margin is like a deposit, kind of like a deposit for a house mortgage. The margin requirement is used to protect the CFD provider if they need to exit the trader’s position. Initial margin requirements varies from stock to stock, usually starts at 3% for blue chip companies and then varies all the way to 80% for unknown rarely traded company stock. However for currencies (forex trading), the margin requirement is as low as 1% (or 1 to 100).

The variation margin and the concept of marked to market is more important than your CFD margin requirements. The variation margin is your daily profit or loss on a CFD trading position. At the end of each day (the time varies depending on the broker, some defines their end of day as GMT 00.00) any profit gain is credited to your trading account or any losses is deducted from your trading account. The term "Free equity" is used to define your absolutely free cash in your trading account after your margin requirements is taken into account.

In Part 2: Understanding CFD Trading we had a look at some more basic mechanics of CFDs – Contracts For Difference such as the margin requirements for CFDs and some basic strategies that you can use when using CFDs to trade. In Part three we continue in our venture in looking at further intricacies and specifics in trading CFDs.

In Part 1: Understanding CFD Trading we had a look at some basic mechanics of CFDs – Contracts For Difference such as the leverage they offer and how they generally work and fit into your trading toolbox. In Part two we continue in our venture in looking at further intricacies in trading using CFDs.

You may already be a trader or are looking for another way to leverage your trades besides using options and warrants. CFD stands for "Contract For Difference". CFDs are a lucrative vehicle for professional market traders to leverage their short and long positions. CFDs offer gearing, short selling, direct trading on prices – no waiting for execution and finally the system and dealers often offer multiple international markets for traders to work on so there are many opportunities. We have a look at what CFDs are and the mechanics to understand this financial instrument.