You can start trading in Spread betting by submitting an application for a trading account. Once your application is approved, you can trade the product(s) of your choice by searching for them on the platform and executing trades via Spread betting on our web, desktop, or mobile platforms.

You can use spread bets to hedge your other holdings by opening a short position with a spread bet on the same asset you already own. If the market drops, the gain on the spread bet can help offset the loss on your holding.

Your profit or loss is based on the difference between the price you open and the price you close your Spread bet position at. If the market moves in your favour, you shall profit; if it moves against you, you lose. Any additional costs, such as financing charges are also subtracted from your overall profit or loss on the position.

No, you do not own the underlying asset when trading a spread bet, you are purely speculating on the price change.

Spread bets give you exposure to the following risks:

• Market risk – Spread bet prices mirror the underlying asset, so any unfavourable price movement will reduce the value of your position.

• Leverage risk – Spread bets are leveraged products, meaning you can control a large position with a relatively small deposit. While this amplifies potential gains, it also magnifies losses.

• Market volatility and gapping – Prices may move in sudden jumps in volatile markets.

• Risk of margin call – If equity falls below margin level, positions may be closed automatically.

• Liquidity risk – In illiquid markets, spreads widen and slippage may occur.

A pip is the tradable point in a spread bet. For example, one standard lot of FTSE equals £10 per point movement. If the market moves 5 pips, this equals £50 profit or loss.

The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price. It’s a built-in cost you pay when opening a spread bet.

The underlying asset refers to the product you are trading, such as Brent crude oil or physical gold.

The following asset classes are available on spread bets: FX, Indices, Commodities, Equities, treasuries and crypto currencies. Please note Crypto is not available to retail clients.

Speculating for the price to fall on a given market.