Contract For Differences (CFD)

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Definition of 'Contract For Differences (CFD)'

A Contract for Difference (CFD) is a financial derivative that allows traders to speculate on the future price movements of an underlying asset without having to take ownership of it. CFDs are traded on margin, which means that traders only need to deposit a small percentage of the total value of the trade in order to open a position. This makes CFDs a relatively low-cost way to trade financial markets, but it also means that traders can magnify their losses as well as their gains.

CFDs are available on a wide range of underlying assets, including stocks, commodities, indices, and currencies. Traders can go long on an asset, which means they believe the price will rise, or short on an asset, which means they believe the price will fall.

When a trader opens a CFD position, they agree to pay the difference between the current price of the underlying asset and the price at which they close their position. If the price of the underlying asset rises, the trader will make a profit, and if the price falls, the trader will make a loss.

CFDs are a complex financial product and can be risky. Traders should only trade CFDs if they understand the risks involved and are prepared to lose their entire investment.

Here are some of the key features of CFDs:

* CFDs are traded on margin, which means that traders only need to deposit a small percentage of the total value of the trade in order to open a position.
* CFDs are available on a wide range of underlying assets, including stocks, commodities, indices, and currencies.
* Traders can go long on an asset, which means they believe the price will rise, or short on an asset, which means they believe the price will fall.
* When a trader opens a CFD position, they agree to pay the difference between the current price of the underlying asset and the price at which they close their position.
* CFDs are a complex financial product and can be risky. Traders should only trade CFDs if they understand the risks involved and are prepared to lose their entire investment.

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