
Trading
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Learn more about trading, the associated risks, and comparisons across different trading platforms on the market.
Introduction
In this comparison table, we present some of the best places on the market for people looking to trade. We’ve covered things like asset class offerings, fees, and more so you can easily compare providers from right across the market, in one place.
What is trading?
First things first. Trading is very different from investing. Trading is the process of buying derivatives of much of the same assets as investing, such as stocks, with the aim of making a short-term financial return (instead of a longer-term one when it comes to investing). Traders could be buying and selling investments monthly, weekly or even daily, often with the use of leverage - making it generally, much higher risk than investing, and usually for those more experienced in financial markets.
Why do people trade?
Generally, for much of the same reasons people invest - to generate a return. Traders look to achieve this goal in a much shorter time frame and speculate in a high-risk, potentially high-reward way by leveraging their positions. Leverage essentially involves borrowing money from a broker, to open much larger positions. While this could mean higher profits, it also means amplified losses if the market moves against you.
What do people trade?
Some of the main markets available to trade are:
Foreign currencies - sometimes known as FX - traders speculate on currency pairs like GBP, USD and more.
Indices - major global indices like the FTSE100, or S&P 500 are just some of the main indices people trade.
Commodities - coffee, sugar, wheat, cocoa and more.
Stocks - trade on the price movements of world stocks (not in the same way as investing).
Metals - gold, silver, palladium and more.
Energy - oil, gas and other major energies.
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Name | Min. deposit | Assets | Link |
---|---|---|---|
$100 | CFD stocks, forex, indices, commodities, bonds | ||
$100 | CFD stocks, forex, indices, options | ||
$5 | CFD stocks, forex, indices, energy, metals, commodities | ||
$100 | CFD stocks, forex, indices, commodities, options | ||
$100 | CFD stocks, forex, indices, energy, metals, futures | ||
$100 | CFD stocks, forex, indices, energy, commodities, bonds, futures, options | ||
£1 | Shares, ETFs, ISAs, CFDs, forex, indices, commodities | ||
$50 | Shares, ETFs, crypto, forex, commodities, indices, CFDs |