Forex Spread Betting
|
|
|
Welcome to Clean Financial's guide to Forex spread betting.
Quick and simple answers to common FX questions:
Q) Where can I Spread Bet on FX?
Q) Where can I Trade for Free on FX?
Q) How to Spread Bet on FX?
Q) Where can I find Free Live Prices on FX?
Q) Where can I find Free FX Charts?
Q) Where can I find free FX Trading News?
Q) Where can I find Narrow FX Spreads?
Q) Where can I find a Free FX Trading Platform / FX Software?
Spread Betting Companies - Forex Narrow Spreads Comparison
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GBP / USD Daily - Spread Size |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| GBP / USD Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| GBP / USD Future - Spread Size |
8 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
- |
- |
8 |
| GBP / USD Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
- |
- |
£1 |
| EUR / GBP Daily - Spread Size |
2 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1-3 |
2 |
| EUR / GBP Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| EUR / GBP Future - Spread Size |
6 |
- |
6 |
10 |
6 |
- |
- |
6 |
| EUR / GBP Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
- |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
- |
- |
£1 |
| EUR / USD Daily - Spread Size |
1 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| EUR / USD Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| EUR / USD Future - Spread Size |
8 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
- |
3 |
8 |
| EUR / USD Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
- |
£1 |
£1 |
| USD / JPY Daily - Spread Size |
2 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1-3 |
2 |
| USD / JPY Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| USD / JPY Future - Spread Size |
8 |
6‡ |
8 |
12 |
8 |
- |
- |
8 |
| USD / JPY Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
- |
- |
£1 |
Comparison Notes
Forex Spread Betting, 27 Aug 2010
The FX spread betting markets seem to have hit a reasonably stable level around $1.27 for the Euro and $1.55 for the Pound.
The Yen cross is also battling a bit in the mid ¥84’s. The currency is definitely overvalued but, with the world seemingly battening down the hatches, the attractions of the Yen and Swiss Franc are driving them ever higher. We may well find a situation where any good news drives the Yen lower and any bad, higher.
Support in the Euro is at $1.2690/1.2700, $1.2665 and below here at $1.2590/1.2610. Resistance to the upside $1.2735/45 and then $1.2790/1.2800.
In the Pound the resistance is $1.5535/40 and then $1.5595/1.5610 and support at $1.5480/90, which is quite strong, and then the $1.5390/1.5400 level
Forex Spread Betting, 26 Aug 2010
Forex spread betting markets are also holding steady and making a small recovery from the sell off of recent days. The Cable cross has recovered to $1.5550 after falling under $1.54 on Tuesday/Wednesday.
Sterling has tended to oscillate, in wide swathes, around $1.50/1.55 since the turn of the year and the price now could be considered pretty much a median level.
Our spread trading clients are very much two way in this market with overall positions turning long or short on a moments notice, which really emphasises the ‘averageness’ of the current price. The wide band is $1.40 to $1.70 with the middle band at $1.48/1.60, the current price puts us pretty much in the middle of both of these.
The Euro has followed the Pound slightly higher today and we are back above $1.2700 and as with the Pound looking comfortable for the moment. Clients are very much two way here as well as indecision over the European situation continues to swirl through markets.
Strong support is some way away at $1.2350/1.2450 but we are seeing a lack of appetite to drive us below $1.26 at the moment anyway. Bulls will be looking at $1.2900 as the first target.
Forex Spread Betting, 25 Aug 2010
Currency spread betting markets have continued to favour the Yen and Swiss Franc and their respective overvaluations are now approaching the extreme territory range. Goldman has apparently estimated that the Yen is 20% overvalued.
The problem with this is that a week ago it was 15% overvalued and before that 10% etc. At what point will overvaluation turn around into a move higher?
We can say that the Yen had very strong support around the ¥84.85/85.00 mark which was broken yesterday causing the sudden sell off down to the low of ¥83.60. We have now rebounded to ¥84.40 but we really need to get back above the support level before buyers regain some confidence.
Against this move higher for the Yen versus the Dollar, the Pound and Euro have conversely been weakening against the US currency as flight to quality means Bonds, Swiss, Yen, Gold, Dollar, Pound and Euro in that order.
Sterling has fallen below $1.5475/90 and those hoping that this might prove to be a support level have been disappointed. The Cable chart over the last two weeks or so is decidedly nasty as we have neatly reversed the late July move higher. We have some minor support at $1.5375/85 but below here traders may well be looking for $1.5150/1.5200.
For the Euro we have now returned to the old battle ground around $1.2450/1.2700 which dominated support back in late 2008 and early 2009. Make no mistake the trend is still bearish for the Euro even though we had the big bounce in June.
Old problems are likely to resurface and some of the Garlic belt yields are now wider versus the Bund than when the crisis of May was in full swing. Greece long dated debt is now over 11%!
Forex Spread Betting, 24 Aug 2010
As has been the case for quite some time now a weak equity market has been synonymous with a strong Dollar, and Yen, and vice versa with Sterling and Euro seeming to be the biggest whipping boys.
Cable is now below $1.5400 as the late July rally is reversed with a vengeance. There was some heavy support around the $1.5460/95 level but this has been smashed to pieces in overnight action.
We must regain this point soon otherwise the longer term momentum will switch back to Sterling negative. While the cross has lost 6 cents in the last few weeks we are still, rather surprisingly, in a bull phase.
The Euro has been weakening along with the Pound, although it has not followed the overnight move, but the currency is still in a bear market direction, notwithstanding the big rally of the last couple of months. Support can be seen at $1.2620/35 and below here at $1.2475/1.2500 and resistance is $1.2690/1.2705 and then above here at $1.2740/55
Financial Spreads >>
"With FinancialSpreads.com you get all the normal
advantages of Spread Betting plus..." >> read
Financial Spreads review.
|
Forex Spread Betting, 18 Aug 2010
Currency spread betting markets are still at the lower end of recent trading levels with the Euro recovering from the $1.2720/30 lows but not able to make it over $1.2900.
Sentiment is certainly not Euro friendly, for all of the rally from the pit of June, with most clients continuing to try to short the currency on any upticks and this is also reflected in the Pounds recent sell off from $1.6000.
Cable has, this morning, broken through the bull trend line in place since May although the EUR/USD is still above it having bounced from the line at the aforementioned $1.2720/30 on Monday.
This builds the possibility of, either the Cable break being confirmed with a Euro move lower or the Euro holding steady and dragging the Pound back up.
Forex Spread Betting, 17 Aug 2010
Currency spread betting markets are quite stuck as well with the Euro meandering about in the mid $1.28’s and Cable holding its own around $1.5650.
Yen seems stuck in the ¥85’s and it is slightly worrying that the Dollar, which has rebounded versus the Euro and Pound, is still wedded to the lows against the Yen.
The attempt to bounce late last week has been reversed and, while the Yen looks heavily over valued already, the momentum seems to be showing the way to even higher ground. Very strong support for the USD/JPY is at ¥84.90/85.20 which is holding for the time being but longs should be wary of a break lower.
Forex Spread Betting, 16 Aug 2010
On the currency markets the woes of the EU bloc seem to be raising their head again as the European Central Bank expresses happiness with bad numbers. Tax receipts across the Southern States are worse than hoped and this will be adding to the overall debt level and decreasing their ability to repay in the future.
The recent weakness in the Euro, before the even more recent bounce, aided the big exporting nations, Germany, France etc, as was shown by Q1/Q2 growth numbers. All in all the storm clouds seem to be gathering once again and buyers of the Euro and Pound seem thin on the ground even though they have both dropped 5 cents in the last week. This seems especially true as the Dollar has gone through plenty of angst over that last couple of months.
Financial Spreads >>
"With FinancialSpreads.com you get all the normal
advantages of Spread Betting plus..." >> read
Financial Spreads review.
|
Forex Spread Betting, 13 Aug 2010
On the forex spread betting front, the Euro has bounced slightly from the lows but it must be said that it is suddenly looking weaker than virtually every other major. We are looking at support around $1.2830 and $1.2760/80 as with yesterday.
Versus the Yen, the Dollar did bounce off the ¥84.80/85.00 level as speculated and recovered to over ¥86 but selling this morning is building once again ad we are at ¥85.90 as I write.
The Yen is very strong in the face of rising confidence in the East versus the West and one does get the feeling that the Majors remain in a race to the bottom. All OECD nations would, on the quiet, like to see their currencies lower to aid growth and so we find ourselves in a situation where politicians are actually talking down their own currency.
Forex Spread Betting, 12 Aug 2010
Forex spread betting markets were just as mad as the equities with the Euro falling over 300 pips versus the Dollar. While this was an aggressive move it can hardly be said to be surprising as the currency has had an extra-ordinarily good run over the last few months.
Today is seeing something of a rebound and the cross is at €1.2925 now with a solid resistance band from €1.2945/1.3020. Support is at €1.2835/60 and €1.2735/50.
The Yen is weakening this morning but again this is hardly surprising as yesterday’s move higher seemed rather overdone. The Euro/Yen spread betting market fell 400 pips in the last two sessions as the Yen actually out did the US Dollar.
¥84.80/85.30 looks to be a move too far for the USD/JPY as each time we have a pop at it the reaction failure takes us back towards, and generally above, ¥86.00 and back in November last year ¥84.80 was also the low before moving back up to ¥95.00.
Japan must be hoping for some relief soon from the never-ending pressure on manufacturing exports but in the short term it must be admitted that all the momentum is on the side of the Yen.
Forex Spread Betting, 11 Aug 2010
Price Update:
- GBP / USD closed yesterday at $1.574
- USD / JPY closed yesterday at ¥85.8
- EUR / USD closed yesterday at $1.309
- EUR / GBP closed yesterday at £0.831
Forex Spread Betting, 10 Aug 2010
Currency markets showed the Dollar returning to some strength after Ex Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Paul O’Neill advised against more fiscal stimulus and called for some long term programme to get the budget under control.
One has to assume that this is the first in a long term programme to soften up the US electorate to the hard choices ahead. The fiscal decisions made by the Europeans and the UK administrations were the trigger to the rebound in the Euro and Pound and we might be at the start of a longer term rebound in the Dollar, especially if the FOMC does decide not to start QE again.
If this is the case we may well be in at the start of a very long term downwards asset revaluation, notwithstanding my previous comment on the returns in the equity market.
Forex Spread Betting, 9 Aug 2010
The weak US employment numbers have helped to continue the poor Dollar outlook but it must be questioned that if the US is struggling then can Europe be far behind.
The surprising UK Q2 GDP increase may have given a false sense of security as even I am noting how quiet trains, shops and roads seem to be just at the moment, although this will have a summer holiday factor.
The Dollar spread betting market has fallen over 10% during the last month or so and, while the rally was equally strong in the first half of 2010, this does appear rather overdone given all the information on the table at the moment.
The woes of Europe seem to have virtually disappeared from the headlines, almost as if they never happened, and the summer break seems to have worked its magic.
As virtually every major European player, both political and financial, has been on holiday for the last month or so news has focussed on the one country that never seems to take a break, the USA. As we drift towards the end of August this hiatus may draw to a close.
The Euro is now at very strong resistance levels from $1.3270 to $1.3340 and traders will be wondering if the one way trade direction can be maintained. Since early June we have rallied from $1.19 all the way to $1.33 without a single reversal of more than a couple of cents.
This is highly unusual which is why traders continue to try to pick highs or read into even the smallest move lower rather more than is actually the case. So long as the rumours persist that the Fed is going to reignite its stimulus packages the Dollar will continue to suffer. However, we should not be too sanguine about this as Europe and the UK may well be forced into postponement of their proposed fiscal breaking policies.
Financial Spreads >>
"With FinancialSpreads.com you get all the normal
advantages of Spread Betting plus..." >> read
Financial Spreads review.
|
Forex Spread Betting, 6 Aug 2010
Like the indices this morning, currency markets are fairly quiet ahead of the NFP. Cable continues to hover around the $1.5900 level and momentum for the bulls has come to a brief halt with yesterday’s price action forming a “hanging man” candlestick, which is usually ominous when coming after a prolonged uptrend.
$1.5930 is the immediate hurdle for GBP/USD spreads, then $1.5980 and if we get to $1.6000 I’m sure the psychological level will provide some further resistance. To the downside $1.5810 and $1.5760 are where some support is seen.
Similar can be said of EUR/USD which is still comfortably above $1.3000, however the 200 day moving average is just above here so resistance is strong. $1.3225 and $1.3260 are resistance levels and to the downside support is seen around $1.3120 and $1.3090.
Forex Spread Betting, 5 Aug 2010
Currencies have been volatile this morning with Cable in particular see-sawing above and below the $1.5900 level. $1.6000 looks a bridge too far for GBP/USD at the moment and the move against the Dollar in recent weeks has been so pronounced that there's a risk of a snap back in many of the Dollar cross rates.
The USD/CAD in particular has broken to the downside, assisted by the continued strength in equity markets, so technical analysts are expecting even further weakness.
But sharp moves like this are susceptible to snap reversals, especially when sentiment towards any one currency is so negative. You just have to look at EUR/USD for a perfect example.
Forex Spread Betting, 4 Aug 2010
Pressure on the Dollar continues as the Market digests the unpalatable fact that the Fed may reignite its stimulus packages.
Unfortunately most of the money issued over the last few years has been swallowed up by a larger Public Sector and in rebuilding of Bank balance sheets. However, this is not particularly helpful, from a sustainable growth point of view, and if a renewed stimulus is on the cards, the Fed needs to find a better way to spend the dosh.
This said, evidence of a double dip in the US seems to be anomalous at best, no matter what Bernanke and Greenspan say, and we do get a bit of an impression that a weaker Dollar is the goal of current statements.
Aside from a spike lower back in November last year, from which we recovered immediately, the Yen has reached a new closing high versus the Dollar, since 1995, with the cross now closing in on ¥85.
What this is doing to Japan’s exporting business is difficult to gauge but, in the UK, car and motorbike sales are reported to be suffering from the price differentials. Governments tend to get a tad upset if they feel that there is manipulation going on and we may find that a few words are being spoken behind closed doors.
As mentioned currency markets continue to be Dollar unfriendly and any strength in the US currency just seems to find more sellers. There are some pretty hefty resistance levels just above current prices at $1.5975/90 in Cable and $1.3260/80 for the Euro.
We seem to have paused for breath for the last 24 hours but whichever of the Major currencies currently showing signs of strength versus the Dollar seems to eventually attract the others to perform similarly.
In reality any woes for the US are probably woes for Europe and the UK as well but, while the whole European zone seems to be biting the bullet over deficits, the US has yet to show any political stomach for cut backs, indeed the opposite seems to be the case.
President Obama’s administration seems bogged down already having exhausted itself fighting over what might be considered partisan matters. The deals that needed to be done to get the heath programme through were hardly evidence of a strong leadership.
Forex Spread Betting, 3 Aug 2010
The Dollar continues to crumble as dealers ponder the musings of both Bernanke and Greenspan who seem intent on seeing a double dip behind every corner.
Investors should be slightly weary though as there is a small whiff of ‘deliberate devaluation’ going on at the moment. In the same way that the European Central banks and Politicians were not too concerned by the falls of the Euro earlier this year, the US administration appears to be engineering weaker sentiment on the Dollar. This seems to be mostly due to the persistent belief that weaker currencies make for easier growth.
Of course on this basis of analysis, pre-merger the likes of Italy, Greece and Spain should have been the strongest countries in Europe.
Shorts in the currency market continue to be squeezed horribly as each new high creates more and more forced buyers. At some point of course the elastic band will snap back and many dealers are trying to pick this level. Unfortunately for them this is having the opposite effect as currently they are just joining in the pressure to move higher.
As has been the case for quite some time now the general markets have been linked to Dollar valuations, or maybe the other way round. As the Dollar falls so the equity markets rally, as does Oil and the other consumable Commodities.
Cable and the Euro continue to probe the highs with $1.5960 already in the bag for Sterling and $1.3240 for the European currency. Every time we pull back our spread betting clients start to build shorts again, only for another rally to bash them out of positions.
Strong resistance in Sterling is actually just above current prices at $1.5975/1.5995 but with the magic number of $1.60 beckoning it would be a brave man who stood in the way of such a surging market.
The Euro has solid resistance just above here as well from $1.3260/1.3280 and then there is good volume resistance virtually all the way up from this point to the mid $1.30’s from earlier this year when we were battling to move lower.
Forex Spread Betting, 2 Aug 2010
The strength in equities and increase in risk appetite has served to strengthen the riskier currencies again this morning. Few would have believed if you’d said back in June the EUR/USD would be sitting comfortably back above $1.3000 in the space of 8 weeks, but this is where we are now, just finding the $1.3100 level a bit too much at the moment.
Cable is at $1.5800 this morning, being assisted by the strong numbers from HSBC and some better than expected PMI manufacturing data. This is close to being a 7 month high and bulls have got $1.6000 well and truly in their sites. Sterling is also winning the battle over the euro this morning with GBP/EUR back above €1.2000.
The PMI numbers from Europe have been slightly better than expectations which are also helping to support indices. Later ISM manufacturing data is out in the US, so investors will want to keep an eye on this.
Financial Spreads >>
"With FinancialSpreads.com you get all the normal
advantages of Spread Betting plus..." >> read
Financial Spreads review.
|
Forex Spread Betting, 30 Jul 2010
Despite the worse than expected UK consumer data this morning the pound is the star so far in the session with cable looking content above the $1.5600 level.
Against the euro, the pound is having a stab at the €1.2000 area. This is proving a bit of a stumbling block for sterling which has benefited from euro weakness bringing it back from the brink of parity with the single currency.
After the pound went over €1.2000 in June the move did look overstretched so a degree of realism has returned to the market. Nevertheless the continued failure at €1.2000 will serve to give the upper hand back to the euro. We could easily return back to the €1.1880 level.
Forex Spread Betting, 29 Jul 2010
Looking at the currency markets the Euro continues to battle higher without seeming to make the critical move above $1.3000.
We have now been hammering at $1.3035/50 since the middle of July, sometimes pulling back down a bit but always returning to the level. This morning we are up at $1.3030 as I write having already looked a couple of times at$ 1.3050 without success. Although the bulls will be hoping that it is just a matter of time.
Standing on the sidelines we can see from the data that the market is still, even after a 10 cent reversal, short of Euros and this is continuing to have an effect on direction.
It is not the Dollar bears who are continually under pressure as they were through the first half of 2010. Now the boot is very much on the other foot. Every move higher in the Euro puts more shorts under water and we have now almost entirely reversed the break-out-Sovereign-debt move which started around the beginning of May.
As mentioned the Euro has resistance at $1.30035/50 and above here at $1.3110/20. On the downside support is building at $1.2965/80 and below here at $1.2880/95.
Sterling is similarly bullish versus the dollar and is having its own battle above $1.5600.
Spread betting account holders are selling at all prices above this price and are building up heavy shorts. An initial move this morning up to $1.5650 has probably proved worrying for these shorts but the attempted break higher ran out of steam in the same fashion as the Euro.
Short position taking is dangerous though as the momentum is definitely bullish at the moment and quick stops are probably recommended above $1.5660.
Forex Spread Betting, 28 Jul 2010
Forex spread betting markets are stuck at the highs with Cable pushing briefly above $1.5600 and the Euro continually probing above the $1.3000 mark.
Our spread betting clients are trying to oppose the moves higher and this is probably symptomatic of the moves higher with weak shorts continually being squeezed and driving prices higher therefore squeezing new shorts etc etc.
At some point the elastic band effect will run out and there will, possibly be a sharp correction. However with no definite ‘spike’ higher in evidence (which normally signals the top of a move) the Euro and Pound seem happy to drift ever upwards versus the Dollar.
Forex Spread Betting, 27 Jul 2010
On the FX front the Euro is back at $1.3000 this morning as the Dollar continues to take a bashing.
Goldman’s have come out on the Euro’s side and is now forecasting higher levels which has brought in buyers over the last session or so.
$1.3000/20 is the resistance level which held us back yesterday evening and in all of this morning’s action over in Japan’s session. So far a breakout to the upside has proved elusive. It is almost certain that an attempt will be made at some point to break into a new range and traders will be waiting to try to take advantage either by selling (in the hope of a failed move) or buying looking for continued progress higher.
Support is around $1.2950/55 and then down at $1.2845/65 but in the current sentiment this looks unlikely to be probed soon.
Sterling is likewise doing well against the Greenback but seems to be struggling at $1.55 with $1.5520/30 proving to be unassailable just for the time being.
Sterling/Euro had managed to get north of €1.2000 in yesterday’s session but while the Euro continued to move higher the Pound rather ground to a halt and has now slumped back to €1.1890.
Dealers are unlikely to get too excited at these levels as current prices can be seen to be pretty much the median level of recent times.
Forex Spread Betting, 26 Jul 2010
On the currency front the Pound has made it back up to the $1.55 level this morning, but no higher. Back in April we reached this level as well before the run in to the election exerted its bearish influence.
Our spread trading clients seem to be expecting a repeat of this price action and have been selling in early trading. This is a very understandable action and does not, currently, look to be an unreasonable proposition. Above $1.5500 the next point is quite close at $1.5530/35 which gives a reasonable stop level for new bears to focus on. Above here though we could well be looking at a much higher level. So, something for both the bulls and bears to be looking at on the off.
The Euro is pretty much unchanged over the weekend at $1.2920 and, here too, we are close to a solid resistance level in this case at $1.3000. Dealers tried to short the currency through Friday but were caught out by the afternoon/evening rally.
The Bank stress tests seem to be a medley of ‘white’ and ‘wash’ as banks were permitted to omit ‘investment’ sovereign debt from the mix. Of course what we consider to be in an ‘investment book’ and a ‘trading book’ can be a moot point. I once got into a spot of bother when I defined an ‘investment’ as a ‘trade’ that had gone wrong.
Financial Spreads >>
"With FinancialSpreads.com you get all the normal
advantages of Spread Betting plus..." >> read
Financial Spreads review.
|
The above comments do not constitute investment advice and neither Financial Spreads nor Clean Financial accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of them.
Article provided / approved by Financial Spreads which is a trading name of London Capital Group Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), FSA Register number 182110.
Forex Spread Betting Comment by Financial Spreads,
Click here for the latest Market News
Click here for more Forex comment and news
Where can I Spread Bet on Forex / FX markets?
You can currently spread bet on Forex markets like GBP/USD:
Where can I Trade Forex for Free?
It depends upon what you mean by free. If you're looking for a free Demo Account where you can practice spread trading see below.
Tax Free. If you are looking for a free spread betting platform then don't forget that in the UK spread betting is tax free*
You can also spread bet on FX commission free and with no brokers fees at:
Free Demo Account
If you're looking for a free Practice Account / Test Account where you can trial spread betting, including Forex markets like GBP / USD, EUR / GBP etc. then you can you can always try:
Each of the above currently offers a free demo account.
How to Spread Trade Forex?
As with many markets, you can spread bet on the value of Forex markets, like the GBP / USD currency pair, going up or down.
At the time of writing the GBP / USD (March) market is 2.0604 - 2.0612 with Financial Spreads. This price expires on 14-Mar-08.
Therefore you can spread bet on GBP / USD settling:
- Above 2.0612, or
- Below 2.0604
By the market expiry date of 14-Mar-08.
Note that for the GBP / USD currency pair, you trade in £X per pip, where a pip is 0.0001 units of GBP / USD movement. For example, if your stake was £6 per pip and the GBP / USD moves 0.0007 points (7 pips) then that would be a £42 difference to your profits.
GBP / USD Financial Spread Betting Example
Let's say, you think that Sterling is holding it’s own against the Dollar and the Dollar is looking a little weak. Therefore taking the above spread of 2.0604 - 2.0612 you think that the GBP / USD cross rate will close above 2.0612 by 14-Mar-08.
Therefore you buy at 2.0612 for a stake of £2 per pip.
If by the settlement date the market closes 2.0682, then:
Your profit is worked out by taking the difference between the closing level of 2.0682 and the price you bought the spread at, ie 2.0612, and then multiplying that by the stake per pip.
Profit and loss = ((2.0682 - 2.0612) / 0.0001) x £2 per pip stake.
Profit and loss = (0.0070 / 0.0001) x £2 per pip stake.
Profit and loss = 70 pips x £2 per pip stake.
Profit and loss = £140 profit.
But if the market did not move as expected and had Dollar strengthened then the GBP / USD cross rate could have finished lower at 2.0554. If so, would have made a loss on this spread bet.
Loss = ((2.0554 - 2.0612) / 0.0001) x £2 per pip stake.
Loss = (-0.0058 / 0.0001) x £2 per pip stake.
Loss = -58 pips x £2 per pip stake.
= -£116 loss.
Where can I Find Free FX Live Prices?
If you want to access quick live market information then you could do worse than opening an account with a firm like Financial Spreads.
Also, you don't have to trade with them, if you just open an account (which is free to do) then their data is free. The catch? You'll get the odd email or letter from them. In the example below you can also see that their free charts are also useful.
There are also live prices available at:
Where can I Find Free FX Charts?
As mentioned above, you can get free charts with spread betting companies like Financial Spreads.
You can alter the charts to see market data by the minute, by the hour, by the week etc, plus many other settings to help you analyse the charts.
As you can see the charts show how the market's are not perfect and how you can expect the prices to "gap".
FinancialSpreads.com also have another pretty handy tool in their free Demo account (mentioned above). You can open a Demo account and place demo trades whilst you practice with no risk or cost attached.
Where can I find Free FX Trading Platforms / FX Software?
Some of the trading firms offer software / trading platforms you have to download but most offer free web based platforms that allow easier access from home, the office and most other places with Internet Access.
The following also offer free live prices and charts:
Financial Spreads >>
"With FinancialSpreads.com you get all the normal
advantages of Spread Betting plus..." >> read
Financial Spreads review.
|
Risk Warning: Spread betting carries a high level of risk to your capital. You may lose more than your initial investment. It may not be suitable for all investors. Only speculate with money that you can afford to lose. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent financial advice where necessary.
'Forex Spread Betting' by DB, updated 27-Aug-10
For related pages also see:
Forex Spread Betting, updated 27-Aug-10
A daily look at the Forex spread betting markets plus a Forex spread betting comparison, where to spread bet on Forex markets, find free Forex charts and...read article.
Forex Trading, updated 23-Jul-10
Compare Forex spreads. Compare EUR / GBP / USD / YEN spreads. The latest forex trading news, where to find free Forex charts and...read article.
Spread Trading FX, updated 02-Sep-10
Your guide to FX spread trading, regular forex articles, spreads comparison tables and your questions answered, where to find free FX trading, free FX charts, live prices and more...read article.
GBP / JPY Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
GBP/ JPY trading information, where to find free GBP / JPY charts and prices, how to spread bet on Forex, including the GBP/ JPY...read article.
EUR / JPY Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
EUR / JPY trading information, where to find free EUR / JPY charts and prices, how to spread bet on Forex, including the EUR / JPY...read article.
GBP / USD Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
GBP / USD trading information, where to find free GBP / USD charts and prices, how to spread bet on Forex, including the GBP / USD...read article.
USD / JPY Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
USD / JPY trading information, where to find free USD / JPY charts and prices, how to spread bet on Forex, including the USD / JPY...read article.
EUR / USD Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
If the Euro is pushing ever higher against the Dollar and the Pound that poses a few questions. Who offers narrow FX spreads? How to trade the Euro FX markets? Where to find live Euro prices and charts? We've got the answers...read article.
EUR / GBP Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
EUR / GBP trading information, where to find free EUR / GBP charts and prices, how to spread bet on Forex, including the EUR / GBP...read article.
EUR/CHF Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
Free EUR/CHF information, where to find free EUR/CHF charts and free live prices. Plus how to spread bet on forex including the EUR/CHF and where to online spread bet on the EUR/CHF....read article.
AUD/USD Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
Free AUD/USD information, where to find free AUD/USD charts and free live prices. Plus how to spread bet on forex including the AUD/USD and where to online spread bet on the AUD/USD....read article.
USD/CHF Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
Free USD/CHF information, where to find free USD/CHF charts and free live prices. Plus how to spread bet on Forex including the USD/CHF and where to online spread bet on the USD/CHF....read article.
USD/CAD Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
Free USD/CAD information, where to find free USD/CAD charts and free live prices. Plus how to spread bet on Forex including the USD/CAD and where to online spread bet on the USD/CAD....read article.
GBP/CAD Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
Free GBP/CAD information, where to find free GBP/CAD charts and free live prices. Plus how to spread bet on forex including the GBP/CAD and where to online spread bet on the GBP/CAD....read article.
CHF/JPY Spread Betting, updated 24-Aug-10
Free CHF/JPY information, where to find free CHF/JPY charts and free live prices. Plus how to spread bet on forex including the CHF/JPY and where to online spread bet on the CHF/JPY....read article.
Forex Spread Betting July 2010, updated 16-Jul-10
FX market update: FX markets are a little flat this morning but with the bias once again towards Dollar weakness. EUR/USD is testing yesterday's highs around...read article.
Forex Spread Bets June 2010, updated 02-Jul-10
FX market update: The Yen remains the strong man of the majors, which appears slightly odd given the country's fiscal position, and the Euro/Yen cross is still...read article.
Forex Spread Trading June 2010, updated 18-Jun-10
FX market update: FX markets are hammering at the Dollar for the fourth or fifth day in a row but the moves do seem to be treading water a bit...read article.
Forex Spread Betting June 2010, updated 04-Jun-10
FX market update: Clearly many of those FX spread trading are sitting on the sidelines ahead of NFP but it's difficult to see if there's any shock to the upside might that...read article.
Forex Spread Trading May 2010, updated 21-May-10
FX market update: On the currency front our comment yesterday that if the Euro was not moving in the accepted direction then the opposite was likely to happen proved rather more prophetic than expected...read article.
Forex Spread Betting May 2010, updated 07-May-10
FX market update: The Euro has now almost reached the longer term target for the Bears of around $1.2350/1.2450, mentioned way back last week when we were...read article.
Forex Spread Trading April 2010, updated 23-Apr-10
FX market update: Currency markets are the place to be at the moment with the Euro continuing to weaken under the glare of all its woes. In reality it must be admitted that...read article.
Forex Spread Betting April 2010, updated 09-Apr-10
FX market update: The EUR/USD spread bounced again from the levels last seen at the end of March just below $1.3300 where it recovered back to as high as...read article.
Forex Spread Trading March 2010, updated 26-Mar-10
FX market update: Currency markets continued to be Dollar favourable yesterday but this morning has seen something of a pull back as the Euro has recouped...read article.
Forex Spread Betting March 2010, updated 12-Mar-10
FX market update: Cable staged another mini recovery yesterday capturing the $1.50 level again and this morning is continuing its rally, sitting at...read article.
Forex Spread Trading February 2010, updated 26-Feb-10
FX market update: Cracks have appeared in the recovery and FX markets in particular have shown alarming moves that indicate they are preparing for...read article.
Forex Spread Betting February 2010, updated 12-Feb-10
FX market update: On the currency markets, the Pound and Euro both found support yesterday pushing well away from recent lows to climb quite strongly through...read article.
Forex Spread Trading January 2010, updated 29-Jan-10
FX market update: On the currency front, the Euro has been weakening again, finally dropping below $1.40 yesterday. The currency is...read article.
Forex Spread Betting January 2010, updated 15-Jan-10
FX market update: The US retail sales didn't help the Dollar much and it drifted back to the ¥91.00 mark against the Yen. With the rate at...read article.
Forex Spread Bets December 2009, updated 01-Jan-10
FX market update: Interesting movements in the Forex spreads markets are just about the only thing worth focussing on at the moment. Yesterday the Dollar waxed and waned, managing a...read article.
Forex Spread Trading December 2009, updated 18-Dec-09
FX market update: The momentum against Cable was compounded by some negative UK retail sales which flew in the face of recent reports from retailers like...read article.
Forex Spread Betting December 2009, updated 04-Dec-09
FX market update: The Euro managed to exactly match our commented range of $1.5140 to $1.5040/60 in yesterday's session. It traded at...read article.
Forex Spread Trading November 2009, updated 20-Nov-09
FX market update: Currency markets are mixed this morning but largely in favour of the Dollar. Cable is heading lower as once again it fails to test...read article.
Forex Spread Betting November 2009, updated 06-Nov-09
FX market update: Currency markets are turning a bit Dollar unfriendly once more with the Euro regaining the $1.4860 level. The Euro had been...read article.
Forex Spread Trading October 2009, updated 23-Oct-09
FX market update: Trading continues to be very contained in the EUR/USD cross with the $1.49 level seeming to hold an irresistible attraction. Last night it seemed that...read article.
Forex Spread Betting October 2009, updated 09-Oct-09
FX market update: Mervyn King muttered about a weak currency helping exporters but I have to say that this commentator is yet to see any evidence of...read article.
Forex Spread Trading September 2009, updated 25-Sep-09
FX market update: The weakness of the Pound versus other majors has merely been reflected by the Dollars own lack of strength. Versus the Euro the cross seems unable to...read article.
Forex Spread Betting September 2009, updated 11-Sep-09
FX market update: As mentioned many times over the last few months the Dollar continues to suffer from what looks like benign neglect from the...read article.
Forex Spread Betting August 2009, updated 28-Aug-09
FX market update: The pound/dollar range at $1.62 to $1.66 eventually held the upper hand and after testing the markets below $1.62 the volume attraction of this range reasserted its pull. In truth the opening hours today have...read article.
Forex Spread Trading August 2009, updated 14-Aug-09
FX market update: On the currency front the pound made a big rebound from the lows with the Yen (especially) falling back after a strong run. The sharp spike lower in GBP/JPY in a frantic...read article.
Forex Spread Trading July 2009, updated 31-Jul-09
FX market update: The equity market rally though took its toil as investors sold the dollar in favour of equities. Sterling did well out of...read article.
Forex Spread Betting July 2009, updated 17-Jul-09
FX market update: The dollar is making a little ground back against sterling. Rather like the equity markets there is a lack of direction and a real tussle between the
...read article.
Forex Spread Bets June 2009, updated 03-Jul-09
FX market update: Sterling is also managing to sit tight against some serious tests of support. Cable has drifted sideways through the short term upward trend line which is marginally worrying and this may give cause for a move back into the $1.58 to $1.60 region. However sometimes trend lines just lose their...read article.
Forex Spread Trading June 2009, updated 19-Jun-09
FX market update: Forex markets must have read my comment yesterday as the pound made an almost carbon copy move to Wednesday's price action. The total net effect over the last three days has been...read article.
Forex Spread Betting June 2009, updated 05-Jun-09
FX market update: Even though the GBP/USD spread betting market has fallen from a high of $1.6670 on Wednesday to the current $1.6050 there have been some big rallies amidst the 6 cent fall. Clients have been trying to buy into...read article.
Forex Spread Trading May 2009, updated 22-May-09
FX market update: The same happened to GBP/EUR which saw a very sharp fall yesterday morning, but recovered afterwards throughout the rest of the day. At the moment though, the euro is...read article.
Forex Spread Betting May 2009, updated 08-May-09
FX market: Sterling's good recent run came to an abrupt end after the BoE announced its next tranche of asset purchases. The market was taken a little by surprise as many were expecting the Bank not...read article.
Forex Spread Trading April 2009, updated 24-Apr-09
FX market: EUR/USD is back above $1.3000, currently at $1.3070 with the Euro making a bit of ground on Sterling as well as GBP/EUR heads back towards...read article.
Forex Spread Betting April 2009, updated 10-Apr-09
FX market: With EUR/USD, our spread betting accounts are very much two way with buyers matching sellers and in truth it is difficult to argue that ...read article.
Forex Spread Trading March 2009, updated 27-Mar-09
FX market update: FX markets are still wary of the recent indication that the US might not be opposed to the creation of a 'Super Currency' run by the IMF, the mere mention of which sent the dollar...read article.
Forex Spread Betting March 2009, updated 13-Mar-09
FX market: The failure last Friday to push resistance versus the dollar at $1.4340 was not helped by the overall view taken about the 'quantitative easing' policy of the...read article.
Forex Spread Trading February 2009, updated 27-Feb-09
FX market update: Against the Euro, the pound seems to have settled into a £1.1000 to £1.1500 range...read article.
Forex Spread Betting February 2009, updated 13-Feb-09
FX market: Virtually every major market, having tried valiantly to break out of the current trading ranges, is now pretty much where they closed on Wednesday evening. GBP/USD had a solid look at...read article.
Forex Spread Bets January 2009, updated 31-Jan-09
FX market update: Currency markets continue to be the focal point with the battle for the GBP/USD rate to get...read article.
Forex Spread Trading January 2009, updated 16-Jan-09
FX market: Strange moves overnight in the currency markets will not have pleased many as the Pound ?took off? in the first few hours of trading opening some...read article.
Forex Spread Betting January 2009, updated 02-Jan-09
FX market update: the 'dollar bulls' remain positive about the outlook for the dollar as they argue it could replace the Yen as the new carry trade currency. This also indicates that the FX markets are preparing for...read article.
Forex Spread Trading December 2008, updated 19-Dec-08
FX market: The pound has fallen a minimum of 25% against even the weakest of the other major currencies this year and in the same period our...read article.
Forex Spread Betting December 2008, updated 05-Dec-08
FX market update: On the Currency front the cut in rates had little effect, there was a brief fall in the Euro and the Pound followed by a short covering rally and now we...read article.
Forex Spread Trading November 2008, updated 21-Nov-08
FX market: The GBP / USD spread is now $1.5082 - $1.5085 and, to be honest, there is little in the way of resistance or support around the current price. The short term falling trend line is now at...read article.
Forex Spread Betting November 2008, updated 07-Nov-08
FX market update: The volatility in the GBP / USD market is becoming ever more extreme with the last eleven trading days averaging over 5¢ a day high/low range (3%). This variation represents a...read article.
Forex Spread Trading October 2008, updated 26-Oct-08
FX market: Traders looking for some kind of support have seen their hopes wiped away as the pound and euro plumb depths not seen for...read article.
Forex Spread Betting October 2008, updated 10-Oct-08
FX market update: Trading in the Forex markets has been just as violent as the equities as the pound has fallen dramatically out of favour versus the Yen and Dollar. It appeared, briefly, that confidence in...read article.
Forex Spread Trading September 2008, updated 26-Sep-08
FX market: The Forex markets must have been reading my comment yesterday as Cable failed at almost exactly the resistance of $1.8650 and then moved down to attack the support at $1.8450. Once this had...read article.
Forex Spread Betting September 2008, updated 12-Sep-08
FX market update: On the FX spread betting front the inability of the Pound, Euro or Yen to hold onto the gains versus the dollar do not bode well in coming sessions. The currency markets are settling in to the new ranges caused by...read article.
Forex Spread Trade August 2008, updated 29-Aug-08
FX market update: The Euro / Dollar rate is off its lows this morning around the $1.4693 mark and continues to test...read article.
Forex Spread Betting August 2008, updated 15-Aug-08
FX market update: We are now sitting just above the massive 2006 GBP / USD support level at around...read article.
Forex Spread Trading July 2008, updated 01-Aug-08
FX market update: In the Forex spread betting markets the dollar and yen are looking to make gains after the...read article.
Forex Spread Betting July 2008, updated 18-Jul-08
FX market update: In the Forex Spread Betting world Cable continues to hover around the $2.00 dollar mark but the Euro has, for the time being, given up on the...read article.
Forex Financial Spread Bet July 2008, updated 04-Jul-08
Forex market update: The weak dollar is causing much of the recent commodity spike and the laissez faire attitude of the US administration to the value of the Greenback is coming back to haunt them in the shape of...read article.
Forex Financial Spread Trading June 2008, updated 20-Jun-08
Forex market update: Every time the pound looks to be in danger of a fall to below $1.94 buyers come in and take it back up to around $1.98 to $2.00. Cable has been in a falling wedge formation since...read article.
Forex Financial Spread Betting June 2008, updated 06-Jun-08
Forex market update: The pound was dragged a little in the Euros wake yesterday but even so lost over a Euro cent in the post Trichet move. The GBP / USD spread is currently at $1.9581 - $1.9584 this morning and is still at the lower end of the recent trading ranges. Any clients who bought into...read article.
Forex Spread Bet May 2008, updated 23-May-08
Forex market update: Sterling had one of its surging days yesterday moving higher against every other major currency. We have seen some very heavy buying in the Pound and Euro vs the lower interest rate currencies (JPY, CHF, USD) in the last few sessions as traders...read article.
Forex Trading May 2008, updated 09-May-08
Forex market update: Unfortunately the FX markets, which seemed to be selling the Pound and Euro in anticipation of a rate cut from both the ECB and MPC only reversed for the Euro and not for the Pound. Sterling is now weakening again against all the majors and yet another attack on the...read article.
Forex Trading April 2008, updated 25-Apr-08
Forex market update: Looking at the Forex Spread Betting markets the Pound actually managed a good day for a change as the Euro and Yen suffered. Of course the real winner was the US Dollar. Cable is now at the bottom of it recent range with dealers probing for any weakness below...read article.
Forex Spread Bets April 2008, updated 11-Apr-08
Forex market trading update: The dollar is getting a knock this morning weaker against the majority of other currencies. Sterling attempted to make some sort of recovery against the euro yesterday dipping below the £0.8000 mark. However, since...read article.
Forex March Spread Trading, updated 28-Mar-08
Forex markets: On the FX markets the Dollar continues to hold it own for the time being but the pound seems to have hit something of a brick wall overnight. All the majors are unchanged except for the pound which is down 80 pips against the greenback (under $2 again)...and is at a new all time low versus the Euro at £0.7894 which means that we are now over 15%...read article.
Forex March Spread Betting, updated 14-Mar-08
Forex market information: Looking at the Forex markets the added dollar liquidity push had a curious effect in that the greenback actually rallied yesterday afternoon when many would have expected the opposite. There may be a feeling that the Fed may...read article.
Forex February Spread Trading, updated 29-Feb-08
Forex market information: Against the Dollar, Sterling has given up 200 pips from the highs of yesterday (oddly enough the same highs as the last rally in late January) and is now back down at $1.9770 - $1.9773. The resistance at $1.9750 which acted to hold back the...read article.
Real-time Forex Prices and Charts, updated 15-Feb-08
Forex pricing information: On the currency trading front we are very quiet and with no news expected today it may well remain that way for the early trading session. GBP / USD looks to be quite happy at levels near to $1.9700 but we have made a habit of...read article.
UK Forex Spread Trading, updated 01-Feb-08
UK Forex Spread Trading: FX markets are absolutely comatose at the moment and we are trading and re-trading over the same ranges. The pound is pretty much...read article.
Spread Betting on Forex, updated 18-Jan-08
Your FX trading questions answered, tips on getting free Forex charts, real time prices plus free...read article.
Forex Trading Online, updated 21-Dec-07
Find out where you can Trade FX Online for free plus your FX trading questions answered, tips on getting free FX charts, real time prices and...read article.
Forex Futures Trading, updated 07-Dec-07
Where to trade Forex Futures plus updated Forex trading news and the most popular Forex questions answered....read article.
Forex Broker, updated 23-Nov-07
Where to find free Forex Brokers plus regular Forex financial trading news as well as the most popular Forex questions answered....read article.
Forex Platform, updated 09-Nov-07
Where to find free Forex Platforms plus updated Forex trading news as well as the most popular Forex queries answered....read article.
Forex Software, updated 26-Oct-07
Where to find free Forex Software information plus updated Forex trading news as well as the most popular Forex queries answered....read article.
Forex Prices, updated 04-Feb-08
Where to find free Forex Prices plus updated Forex news as well as your top Forex questions answered....read article.
FX Spread Betting, updated 02-Feb-09
The new daily Forex trading article from GFT with market commentary, price action and...read article.
Forex Spread Trading on Pound / Yen, updated 11-Dec-08
Financial spread trading Sterling / Yen. Forex news, narrow spreads and where to find live prices....read article.
Financial Spread Betting Blog - FX Trading, updated 13-Aug-07
The popular Forex market of EUR/USD has been decreasing and is at its lowest value for a month. Is it worth backing the market to return? At the moment the EUR / USD (Sept) market has a quote of 1.3631 - 1.3639. As with many markets...read article.
Spread Bet on Forex, updated 05-Dec-08
Forex spread betting comparison table, the spreads and minimum stakes from some of the leading companies...read article.
Spread Betting on FX, updated 28-Jan-09
Online forex spread betting news and free live prices. In the Forex markets GBP v USD fell to a 14 month low and is trading below the $2 mark to around $1.9945. With Financial Spreads, the Sterling / Dollar (December) market is trading at 1.9971 - 1.9974 suggesting that they don't think there will be a quick recovery....read article.
Forex Spread Betting, updated 26-Aug-10
Foreign exchange betting. Currencies fluctuate for a number of reasons eg changes interest rates, speculative trading and central bank intervention. If you are looking for FX trading information ...read article.
|
|
Q) Average Trading Results?
A) Get free spread betting tips, offers, price updates, important news and more!
|
|
