The world of investing is vast, and the range of investment instruments available can be daunting to newcomers. But, if you’re looking for a way to get started in the stock market without overwhelming yourself with too much complexity or risk, Contracts for Difference (CFDs) may be worth considering.
CFDs enable you to trade on margin, which helps reduce the amount of capital required upfront and provides leveraged exposure and increased liquidity – making them ideal investments for anyone starting in trading. This article will explore why CFDs are often seen as one of the best options for new traders looking to enter the financial markets.
Low capital requirements
One of the significant benefits of trading CFDs is that they allow you to trade on margin. Instead of needing a large sum upfront to purchase shares or other assets, it means that you can use leverage and open a position with relatively small capital. A few reputable brokers such as Saxo Bank UAE offer traders leveraged exposure up to 200 times – meaning that you can open a CFD position with only 1/200th of the cost required to purchase the underlying asset. It makes CFDs an ideal investment for new traders who may not yet have a large amount of capital to invest.
Lower capital requirements also mean new traders can enter the market with less risk. It is beneficial as it allows them to test out trading strategies and learn how to make successful investments without risking a large amount of money.
Leverage
CFDs also offer traders the chance to increase their exposure to the market with leverage – a feature that is not always available with other investment instruments. Leverage means you can gain access to more significant positions with less capital by borrowing from your broker.
It increases the potential returns of your investments, but it is essential to remember that leverage will also increase the risk of your investments. It is important to remember always to use leverage responsibly and be aware of how it can affect your capital.
High liquidity
CFDs are highly liquid, meaning they can be easily bought and sold without delays. It is essential for new traders who may need to quickly close a position in response to changing market conditions or when their risk limit has been reached. The high liquidity also means that trades can be executed at reasonable prices with minimal slippage.
Liquidity is crucial in trading, and CFDs provide traders with a way to access the market quickly and efficiently, allowing them to make quick decisions and react to changing market conditions.
Short selling potential
CFDs also allow traders to ‘short sell’, meaning they can take a bet on an asset’s price going down. It is only sometimes possible with other investment instruments and can be an effective way to take advantage when markets fall.
Short selling is a valuable tool for new traders as it allows them to speculate on a market’s direction without taking a long position. It means they can still benefit from market movements without risking their capital by purchasing an asset outright.
Variety and access to global markets
CFDs provide traders access to a wide range of global markets, enabling them to diversify their portfolios and reduce risk. They can also be used to trade commodities, indices, stocks and even cryptocurrencies – giving new traders access to markets they may not have been able to access before.
The variety available means that professionals and new traders can find instruments that fit their investment strategies, making CFDs an ideal choice for anyone looking to trade in the financial markets.
Tax benefits
CFDs have favourable tax benefits in many countries. In the UK, CFDs are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rather than Income Tax – meaning that traders can keep more of their gains and pay less in taxes. It makes CFDs a tax-efficient investment, especially for new traders who may not yet be familiar with the tax implications of trading.
Education and tools
CFD brokers often provide free educational resources to help new traders, such as trading courses, webinars and tutorials. They may also provide helpful analytical tools which can be used to analyse the markets and identify potential trades. It makes it much easier for new traders to learn how to trade effectively without investing much money.
Conclusion
CFDs are a popular trading instrument among new traders due to their low capital requirements, high liquidity, leverage potential and access to global markets. They also offer tax benefits, which can make them a more attractive option than other investment instruments. With the right tools and education in place, CFDs can be an effective way for new traders to gain exposure to financial markets without putting their capital at risk. Therefore, it is clear that CFDs are one of the best investment options for new traders.