German Stock Market Spread Betting Guide (DAX 30)
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German Stock Market Spread Betting

German Stock Market Spread Betting

In spread betting:
  • The DAX 30 is also known as the "Germany 30", "Xetra DAX" and "DE 30"
  • The MDAX is also known as the "Germany 50", "Germany Mid-50", "Germany MCap"
For more details see About the German Stock Market below.


Where Can I Spread Bet on the German Stock Market?


You can spread bet on both the DAX 30 index and the MDAX index, as well as individual German companies, with the following firms:

German Stock Market Analysis and Trading News


Date Trading Update
23-Mar-18 [8:49am]

German DAX 30 Daily Market Report

  • The German DAX 30 is currently trading at 11,917.3.
  • At the end of the last session, the market closed down -374.2pts (-3.05%) at 11,884.3.
30 Minute Analysis

Neutral Stock Market The stock market index is currently higher than the 20-period MA of 11,910.7 and lower than the 50-period MA of 12,025.1.

1 Day Analysis

Falling Stock Market The index is lower than the 20-DMA of 12,206.9 and lower than the 50-DMA of 12,442.2.

Update by Gordon Childs, Editor, CleanFinancial
09-Oct-17 [12:15pm]

German DAX 30 Daily Update

  • The German DAX 30 is currently trading at 12,953.0.
  • In the last session, the market closed up 8.0pts (0.06%) at 12,961.2.
1 Day Chart Analysis

Rising Stock Market The market is above the 20-day MA of 12,751.5 and above the 50-day MA of 12,430.3.

Update by Gordon Childs, Editor, CleanFinancial
08-Dec-15 [11:55am]

Stock Market Sell-Off Could Come Back



(And it's not just the FTSE 100, if you look closely then the DAX is looking precarious too).



Update by Joshua Mahony, Research Analyst, IG Index
24-Aug-15 [3:40pm] Will the Dow and DAX See Bounces Tomorrow?

Here's a quick look at Tuesday.



Update by Joshua Raymond, Chief Market Strategist, IG Index
20-Aug-15 [12:26pm] FTSE 100 Heading to 6,000?

The DAX has given up half of this year's gains and the chart is showing a potential Death Cross for the German market.

Skip to 3mins for the FTSE 100.

The chart for the UK market continues to look bearish and there has been a strong break lower.



Update by IG Index
15-Jul-15 [12:12pm] Stock Markets Look Bullish

But plenty still to come from Greece.

Below, a 16 minute technical look at the markets.



Update by Joshua Mahony, Research Analyst, IG Index
30-Jun-15 [4:23pm] Interesting Analysis of the DAX and Eurostoxx Indices

Also, skip to 3m30s for a technical look at EUR/USD.



Update by Michael Hewson, Senior Market Analyst, CMC Markets

» For more see Stock Market Trading News & Analysis.

Readers please note:


Where Can I Find Live Prices and Charts for the DAX 30?


The live CFDs chart and prices below default to the DAX 30 (Germany 30) and will give you a helpful guide to the German stock market.

For a live MDAX chart, just search for 'Germany MCap'.

You can also access live charts and prices for individual German shares e.g. just search for Allianz, BMW, Lufthansa, SAP, Siemens etc.


The above Plus 500 chart is usually based on the DAX 30 futures price (not the spot market).

If you would like to look at live spread betting charts and the current prices for the DAX 30, you'll probably need a spread betting account.

Also, a spreads account lets you access the shorter term daily markets. Users should note that all spreads accounts are subject to credit and status checks.

Should your application be approved then, after logging in, you will be able to see the prices and live charts. These are usually provided for free, however, the catch is that you'll probably receive an occasional sales call or letter from the relevant spread trading company.

If you decide to trade then, before you start, you should note that financial spread betting and CFDs do involve a significant level of risk to your capital.

Professional Charting Packages for the German Stock Market


Though charts can differ from firm to firm, they usually have valuable features such as:
  • Different display styles - candle charts and line charts
  • An array of time periods - 1 minute, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours etc.
  • Drawing options and tools - Trendlines, Fibonacci Time Zones, Fans and Arcs

Charts from FinancialSpreads.com also come with more advanced features:
  • Back Testing, Custom Indicators and Analysis tools
  • Useful technical overlays - Ichimoku Clouds, EMA, Wilder's Smoothing etc.
  • Over 30 indicator charts - MACD, Relative Volatility, Linear Regression, TRIX, CCI etc.
  • Customised email alerts when a market hits a specific price

Sample DAX 30 chart

DAX 30 Trading Guide - Example Chart


The following spread betting companies give their users access to real time trading prices/charts:
Advert: German Stock Market Spread Betting, sponsored by FinancialSpreads.com.
You can spread bet on the DAX 30 with Financial Spreads.


Where Can I Spread Bet on the DAX 30 for Free?


Investing always includes a degree of risk, but if you would like to try a Test Account (free), where you can try out spread betting and access charts, please see below for more details.

When thinking about which investment option is right for you, don't forget that in the UK, spread betting is currently exempt from income tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty*.

If you are looking for a low cost spread betting website then keep in mind that you can spread bet on the DAX 30 with no commissions or brokers' fees with providers such as:

Free Demo Account


If you want a free Demo Account that allows you to try out online spread betting, including markets such as the German DAX 30, then take a look at: Each of the companies listed above currently provide a risk free Demo Account which lets users try out trading theories, practice with an array of trading orders and use charts, including candlestick and bar charts.


Spread Betting on Individual German Shares


For more details on a particular German company, simply click on the firm you're interested in below.

As well as live charts and prices for each firm, we talk you through the most popular spread betting questions e.g.
  • Where can I spread bet?
  • How to spread bet?
  • Where can I trade commission free?
  • Etc.
Company Name Symbol German Shares
Spread Betting Guides »
Charts &
Prices


How to Spread Bet on the DAX 30

How to Spread Bet on the DAX 30?


As with many markets, you can speculate on indices, such as the DAX 30, to rise or fall.

Looking at FinancialSpreads.com, you can see that they are currently showing the DAX 30 Rolling Daily market at 7302.3 - 7303.3. This means an investor can spread bet on the DAX 30 market:

  DAX 30 Spread Trading Example Going higher than 7303.3, or
  DAX 30 Spread Betting Example Going lower than 7302.3

When financial spread betting on the DAX 30 index you trade in £x per point. Therefore, if you decided to invest £2 per point and the DAX 30 moves 31 points then that would be a difference to your P&L of £62. £2 per point x 31 points = £62.

Rolling Daily Index Markets

One important thing to note is that this is a 'Rolling Daily Market' and therefore unlike a normal spread betting futures market, there is no settlement date. If you leave your position open at the end of the day, it just rolls over to the next trading session.

If you do roll over a position and you are spread betting that the market will:

  DAX 30 Spread Betting Example Go up - then you'll be charged a small overnight financing fee, or
  DAX 30 Spread Betting Example Go down - then a small payment is usually credited to your account

You can find more on Rolling Daily Markets, as well as a fully worked example, in our guide to 'Rolling Daily' markets.


DAX 30 Trading Example 1


So, if we think about the above spread of 7302.3 - 7303.3 and make the assumptions:
  • You have analysed the stock markets, and
  • You think that the DAX 30 index will push higher than 7303.3
Then you may choose to buy a spread bet at 7303.3 for a stake of, for example, £3 per point.

This means that you make a profit of £3 for every point that the DAX 30 index pushes above 7303.3. Having said that, such a bet also means that you will lose £3 for every point that the DAX 30 market falls below 7303.3.

Put another way, if you buy a spread bet then your P&L is worked out by taking the difference between the closing price of the market and the price you bought the spread at. You then multiply that difference in price by your stake.

As a result, if after a few sessions the market rose then you might consider closing your spread bet so that you can secure your profit.

As an example, if the market increased then the spread, set by the spread trading firm, might move up to 7343.1 - 7344.1. To close your position you would sell at 7343.1. So, with the same £3 stake your profit would be calculated as:

Profits (or losses) = (Closing Level - Initial Level) x stake
Profits (or losses) = (7343.1 - 7303.3) x £3 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = 39.8 x £3 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = £119.40 profit

Speculating on stock market indices, whether by spread betting or otherwise, is not easy. In this case, you had bet that the index would increase. However, it can also decrease.

If, contrary to your expectations, the German stock market fell, then you might choose to close your position in order to restrict your losses.

If the market dropped to 7269.7 - 7270.7 you would close your trade by selling at 7269.7. If so, this would result in a loss of:

Profits (or losses) = (Closing Level - Initial Level) x stake
Profits (or losses) = (7269.7 - 7303.3) x £3 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = -33.6 x £3 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = -£100.80 loss

Note - DAX 30 Rolling Daily spread correct as of 23-Nov-12.


Advert: German Stock Market Spread Betting, sponsored by FinancialSpreads.com.
You can spread bet on the DAX 30 with Financial Spreads.


How to Spread Bet on the Germany 30

How to Spread Bet on the Germany 30 - Example 2


Looking at a website like Tradefair, we can see they are showing the Germany 30 Rolling Daily market at 7294.3 - 7295.3. This means that an investor could put a spread bet on the Germany 30 index:

  Germany 30 Trading Example Going higher than 7295.3, or
  Germany 30 Spread Trading Example Going lower than 7294.3

Whilst spread betting on the Germany 30 index you trade in £x per point. So, if your stake was £5 per point and the Germany 30 moves 27 points then that would change your P&L by £135. £5 per point x 27 points = £135.

So, if you take the spread of 7294.3 - 7295.3 and assume:
  • You've done your stock market research, and
  • Your analysis leads you to feel that the Germany 30 index will move higher than 7295.3
Then you might decide to go long of the market at 7295.3 for a stake of £3 per point.

So, you win £3 for every point that the Germany 30 index increases above 7295.3. Nevertheless, you will lose £3 for every point that the Germany 30 market falls lower than 7295.3.

Thinking of this in a slightly different way, if you were to ‘Buy’ a spread bet then your P&L is worked out by taking the difference between the settlement price of the market and the initial price you bought the spread at. You then multiply that price difference by your stake.

As a result, if after a few hours the German stock market rose then you might consider closing your spread bet so that you can secure your profit.

If that happened then the spread, set by the spread trading company, might change to 7350.0 - 7351.0. In order to close your spread bet you would sell at 7350.0. As a result, with the same £3 stake this trade would make you a profit of:

Profit = (Final Value - Opening Value) x stake
Profit = (7350.0 - 7295.3) x £3 per point stake
Profit = 54.7 x £3 per point stake
Profit = £164.10 profit

Financial spread trading is not straightforward. In this example, you wanted the German index to go up. However, the index might decrease.

If the Germany 30 market fell then you could choose to close your spread bet to limit your losses.

Should the market fall back to 7247.9 - 7248.9 you would sell back your position at 7247.9. So your loss would be calculated as:

Loss = (Final Value - Opening Value) x stake
Loss = (7247.9 - 7295.3) x £3 per point stake
Loss = -47.4 x £3 per point stake
Loss = -£142.20 loss

Note: Germany 30 Rolling Daily spread accurate as of 23-Oct-12.


How to Trade DAX Futures

How to Trade DAX Futures


Logging into FinancialSpreads, you can see they are pricing the DAX March Futures market at 7318.3 - 7321.3. This means you could speculate on the DAX market:

  DAX Spread Betting Example Finishing above 7321.3, or
  DAX Trading Example Finishing below 7318.3

On the expiry date for this 'March' market, 15-Mar-13.

As with the DAX 30 daily market, you speculate on the DAX futures contract in £x per point. So, if your stake was £4 per point and the DAX moves 38 points then that would alter your P&L by £152. £4 per point x 38 points = £152.


DAX 30 Futures Trading Example


So, if we take the above spread of 7318.3 - 7321.3 and assume that:
  • You have completed your analysis of the German stock market, and
  • Your futures analysis leads you to think the DAX 30 index will settle higher than 7321.3 by 15-Mar-13
Then you may choose to buy at 7321.3 and trade, for the sake of argument, £4 per point.

With this contract, you gain £4 for every point that the DAX moves higher than 7321.3. Having said that, such a contract also means that you will lose £4 for every point that the DAX market goes below 7321.3.

Looked at another way, with futures spread trading your P&L is calculated by taking the difference between the price the market expires at and the price you bought the market at. You then multiply that difference in price by your stake.

With that in mind, if, on the expiry date, the DAX closed at 7346.9, then:

Profits (or losses) = (Closing Price - Opening Price) x stake
Profits (or losses) = (7346.9 - 7321.3) x £4 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = 25.6 x £4 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = £102.40 profit

Stock market futures trading doesn't always work out. With this futures contract, you thought the index would go up. Nevertheless, the German stock market might have fallen.

If the DAX decreased and settled lower at 7292.0, you would end up making a loss on this spread bet.

Profits (or losses) = (Closing Price - Opening Price) x stake
Profits (or losses) = (7292.0 - 7321.3) x £4 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = -29.3 x £4 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = -£117.20 loss

Note: DAX March Futures quoted as of 27-Sep-12.


MDAX Spread Betting

How to Spread Bet on the MDAX?


Unlike the DAX 30 which you can trade using rolling daily / spot markets, the MDAX often comes as a futures market.

Looking at a financial spread betting website like InterTrader, you can see they are showing the MDAX December Futures market at 10999 - 11029. This means an investor can spread bet on the MDAX market:

  MDAX Spread Trading Example Finishing above 11029, or
  MDAX Spread Betting Example Finishing below 10999

On the expiry date for this 'December' market, 21-Dec-12.

Whilst financial spread trading on the MDAX index you trade in £x per point. Therefore, should you decide to invest £4 per point and the MDAX moves 22 points then that would make a difference to your profit/loss of £88. £4 per point x 22 points = £88.

If you think about the above spread of 10999 - 11029 and assume that:
  • You've done your analysis of the stock market index, and
  • Your research suggests that the MDAX index will close higher than 11029 by 21-Dec-12
Then you may decide that you want to go long of the market at 11029 and risk £2 per point.

With such a bet you make a profit of £2 for every point that the MDAX index rises above 11029. On the other hand, such a bet also means you will lose £2 for every point that the MDAX market falls below 11029.

Put another way, should you ‘Buy’ a spread bet then your profit/loss is worked out by taking the difference between the settlement price of the market and the initial price you bought the market at. You then multiply that difference in price by the stake.

With that in mind, if, on the closing date, the MDAX closed higher at 11093, then:

Profits (or losses) = (Settlement Price - Opening Price) x stake
Profits (or losses) = (11093 - 11029) x £2 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = 64 x £2 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = £128 profit

Trading indices, whether by spread betting or not, can work against you. With this example, you had bet that the index would go up. Nevertheless, the index can also fall.

If the German Mid-Cap index had fallen and settled at 10960, then you would end up making a loss on this market.

Profits (or losses) = (Settlement Price - Opening Price) x stake
Profits (or losses) = (10960 - 11029) x £2 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = -69 x £2 per point stake
Profits (or losses) = -£138 loss

Note:
  • MDAX December Futures index market correct as of 26-Sep-12.
  • If you spread bet on a futures market you do not have to wait for the expiry date for your trade to close. Like the rolling daily example above, you can close the trade yourself e.g. to lock in a profitable trade or to limit a loss making trade.

How to Spread Bet on DAX 30

How to Spread Bet on DAX 30?


Should an investor decide to invest in companies such as Deutsche Bank then one solution is a spread bet on the Deutsche Bank share price.

Logging onto InterTrader, we can see they are valuing the Deutsche Bank Rolling Daily market at €32.95 - €33.04. This means an investor can spread trade on the Deutsche Bank share price:

  Deutsche Bank Trading Example Moving above €33.04, or
  Deutsche Bank Spread Trading Example Moving below €32.95

When spread betting on German equities you trade in £x per cent. So, if you risked £3 per cent and the Deutsche Bank share price moves €0.37 then that would make a difference to your profit/loss of £111. £3 per cent x €0.37 = £111.

You are also able to invest in this market in Dollars or Euros, e.g. $x per cent.

Rolling Daily Shares Markets

An important aspect of this Rolling Daily Market is that in contrast with futures markets, there is no closing date. You do not have to close your trade, should it still be open at the end of the trading day, it just rolls over into the next session.

If your trade is rolled over and you are speculating that the market will:

  Deutsche Bank Spread Trading Example Increase - then you'll pay a small overnight financing fee, or
  Deutsche Bank Spread Trading Example Decrease - then you will usually receive a small credit to your account

For a more detailed breakdown of Rolling Daily Markets please read our article Rolling Daily Spread Betting.


How to Spread Bet on German Shares


So, if we take the above spread of €32.95 - €33.04 and make the assumptions:
  • You've completed your research into the company, and
  • Your research leads you to think that the Deutsche Bank shares look like they will go above €33.04
Then you might buy a spread bet at €33.04 and invest £5 per cent.

With such a spread bet you make a profit of £5 for every cent that the Deutsche Bank shares increase and go higher than €33.04. Having said that, you will make a loss of £5 for every cent that the Deutsche Bank market falls below €33.04.

Considering this from another angle, if you buy a spread bet then your P&L is worked out by taking the difference between the settlement price of the market and the initial price you bought the market at. You then multiply that difference in price by the stake.

If after a few sessions the shares rose then you might want to close your position in order to secure your profit. As an example, should the market rise, the spread could change to €33.30 - €33.39. To close your position you would sell at €33.30. As a result, with the same £5 stake you would make:

Profit = (Closing Value - Initial Value) x stake
Profit = (€33.30 - €33.04) x £5 per cent stake
Profit = €0.26 x £5 per cent stake
Profit = 26c x £5 per cent stake
Profit = £130 profit

Financial spread trading is not always simple. In this case, you wanted the share price to increase. However, the share price might decrease.

If the Deutsche Bank share price had started to drop then you might decide to settle/close your spread bet in order to limit your losses.

Should the market drop to €32.81 - €32.90 then you would settle/close your trade by selling at €32.81. If so, your loss would be calculated as:

Loss = (Closing Value - Initial Value) x stake
Loss = (€32.81 - €33.04) x £5 per cent stake
Loss = -€0.23 x £5 per cent stake
Loss = -23c x £5 per cent stake
Loss = -£115 loss

Note: Deutsche Bank Rolling Daily market accurate as of 18-Dec-12.


About the German Stock Market


The German stock market is based in Frankfurt and 'DAX' stands for Deutscher Aktien IndeX (German stock index).

The DAX 30 is an index of 30 major German companies which is calculated by Deutsche Börse on their Xetra trading system. The companies have to be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and are the 30 largest companies in terms of order book volume and market capitalization.

In spread betting and CFD trading, the DAX 30 is often one of the most popular markets and is also known as the "Germany 30", "Xetra DAX" and "DE 30".

The MDAX 50 is an index of the next 50 largest German companies in terms of order book volume and market capitalization.

Again, with spread bets and CFDs, the MDAX is also known as the "Germany 50", "Germany MCap" and "Germany Mid-50".

Official website: Deutsche-Böerse.com.


Applying Technical Analysis to the DAX 30 Index


Below, an older but still useful case study on the German stock market by Shai Heffetz, InterTrader, 29-June-2011.

The DAX 30 is an index reflecting price movements of the 30 biggest companies in terms of market capitalisation and order book volume on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

The index was published for the first time on 30 December 1987 with a base value of 1000.

More recently, the DAX 30 spread betting market had seen a strong bull run since the beginning of September last year, however, this started to lose momentum during the middle of February this year. In fact, between mid-February and mid-March 2011, we saw a substantial price correction.

The price started recovering on the 17th of March and, as can be seen in the chart below, it broke upwards through the Ichimoku cloud on the 20 April. It went on to make a brief high of 7601.50 on the 2 May before starting to lose steam again.

On the 2 June, it closed at 7096.80, a level that was significant because the price moved into the green Ichimoku cloud on that day. During the rest of June, the price hasn’t left the cloud and so is clearly indicating a directionless market.

Currently, the price has remained locked inside the cloud. The blue Kijun Sen and the red Tenkan Sen lines are running together, with the green Chinkou Span line virtually touching the price 26 periods ago. All this further strengthens the indices technical analysis view of a non-trending market.

DAX 30 Chart

A cautious trader will wait for the market to provide him with a clear signal before going long or short. In this case, the cloud should be a good indicator.

If the price breaks upwards through the cloud a long position might be worthwhile; if it breaks out downwards, new lows might be on the cards and a short position will be a better option.


Applying Technical Analysis to German Stock Market Futures


Below, an older but still useful case study on the German futures market by Shai Heffetz, InterTrader, 21-Sep-2011.

Looking at the chart below from a technical point of view, it is clear that the DAX 30 is currently in a strong bear phase.

On a fundamental level, this makes sense: France and Germany are heavily exposed to Greek government debt, something that has already caused the credit rating of two major French banks to be downgraded.

Since the beginning of August, renewed fears of a Greek default has wreaked havoc on French share markets. The DAX dipped decisively below the Ichimoku Kinko Hyo cloud on 1 August 2011, reaching 6891.30 at one stage before it closed at 6969.70.

After that, it was only bad news. On 12 September, the price briefly touched a low of 4963.80 before closing at 5145.20. Billions of Euros were wiped off investor’s balance sheets in the process.

The Greek ghost has not disappeared yet: emergency talks are the order of the day and although the DAX has recovered somewhat during the last few days, it is still far below the Ichimoku cloud. The green Chinkou Span line is also still far below the price of 26 periods ago. According to the technical analysis theory, this confirms that we have not seen the end of the bear run yet.

DAX 30 Spread Betting Chart

If the Greek debt issue is resolved (at least for the present), we will most likely see an upsurge in the DAX Rolling Daily and DAX Futures markets, although it is still a long way before the price will emerge upwards from the Ichimoku cloud again, nearly a thousand points at this stage.

This is where spread betting traders might start looking at buying medium-term trades again.

If the price drops below the red Tenkan Sen line in the near future, it might be a good time for short trades, since it could be the signal that we will soon see new lows.



Trading Risk Warning
'German Stock Market Spread Betting' edited by Jacob Wood, updated 23-Mar-18

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