How to trade CFDs

Trading CFDs allows you to predict on shares, indices, cryptos¹, commodities, forex and more. Learn how to trade CFDs step by step, from opening an account to closing a position with examples of CFD trades. Interested in trading CFDs with us?

Create demo account

Create live account

Start trading today. Call +65 6390 5133 between 9am and 6pm (SGT) on weekdays or email accountopening@ig.com.sg for account opening enquiries.

6 steps to trading CFDs

Learn what CFD trading is
Create and fund a CFD trading account
Choose your market and timeframe
Decide whether to buy or sell
Set your stops and limits
Monitor your CFD trade and close your position

Learn what CFD trading is

CFD trading is the buying and selling of contracts for difference – which are financial derivatives that let you take a position on whether an asset (including shares, indices, cryptos¹, commodities and forex) will rise or fall in value.

Your first step towards trading CFDs is to learn how they work. Read our quick introduction: what is CFD trading and how does it work?

Create and fund a CFD trading account

Creating a CFD trading account with us is easy:

1. Fill in a simple form

We’ll ask about your trading knowledge to ensure you get the best experience

2. Get verification

We’ll verify your identity as soon as possible

3. Fund and start trading

Deposit funds into your CFD account. You can withdraw it whenever you want to

Create your account to begin CFD trading

Not ready to trade CFDs yet? Build your confidence in a completely risk-free environment with a demo account, and practise with S$200,000 in virtual funds.

Open your free demo account now

Choose your market and timeframe

One of the features of CFD trading is that there are a variety ways to trade them. We offer 13,000 markets, including:

Shares – over 12,000 international shares
Indices – over 80 indices including the FTSE 100, Wall Street and US Tech 100
Forex – including all the top major, minor and exotic currency pairs
Cryptos¹ – about a dozen popular cryptocurrencies including bitcoin and ether, as well as our Crypto 10 Index
Commodities – over 30 commodities, from precious and base metals to oils, gas and softs
Other markets – like ETFs, options and more

Learn more about all our CFD markets you can trade

There are also different ways to trade CFDs: via spot markets and via futures.

Spot trading is best for shorter-term trading as the spot price is the immediate real-time price of the asset
CFD futures are best for medium to longer term trades as they allow you to predict on the price that the underlying asset will be on a specific date

Decide whether to buy or sell

With CFDs, you can take a ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ position on an underlying market. You’d ‘buy’ if you thought the price was going to rise, and you’d ‘sell’ if you thought it was going to fall.

A screenshot of the deal ticket on the IG platform that shows where to click if you want to go long and where to click if you want to go short.

CFDs are leveraged, meaning that you can receive full market exposure for a deposit, known as a margin. Your margin is a product of leverage – think of it as the deposit with which you open the position. Trading on margin enables you to get exposure to the full value of the trade without committing a higher value upfront.

So, if you wanted to open a S$1000 position on Apple shares, you’d put down a margin of S$200 (20% of the position size). It’s important to remember that, while leverage can help to amplify your profits, it can also increase your losses. This is because your profit or loss will still be calculated on the full size of your position.

A graphic showing that a position worth $1000 require a $200 deposit with a margin of 20%.

The difference in price between the ‘buy’ price and ‘sell’ price for an asset is called the spread.

A graphic explaining what a spread is, with a buy price at the top, market value in the middle and sell price at the bottom.

You’ll need the current market price to pass above our buy price when going long, or fall below our sell price when going short, in order to make a profit. The difference between these two amounts is called the spread.

The spread is the difference between the bid and ask prices, and varies depending on market conditions. In most cases we charge our own spread on top of the market spread, as our fee for the trade. Spread charges apply to CFD trades for all markets except shares.

For every share CFD trade, you’ll pay a commission instead of a spread.

Set your stops and limits

Once you’ve decided on what to trade and the position size (and margin) you want, it’s time to set stops and limits. Because a trade’s profit or loss is only calculated once it’s closed, stops and limits are parameters that close your trade for you automatically once it has reached the level of profit or loss you’re comfortable with.

In this way, your stops and limits help you to calculate potential profits and losses from your CFD trades. They can also be useful ways to lock in your profits, or to minimise your exposure to risk.

Under the ‘size’ button, choose an amount for your stop order, or ‘stop’ as it is known, which is an order to close your trade when the market price moves to a level which is less favourable to you. A limit order or ‘limit’ is the opposite: an order to close the trade when the market moves to a level which is more favourable to you.

A screenshot of the deal ticket on the IG trading platform that shows how to place a deal and what it looks like when the deal is confirmed.

Monitor your CFD trade and close your position

As soon as you’ve opened your trade by clicking ‘place deal’, you can watch your trade in real time on our platform to see how you’re doing. You can monitor all your open CFD trades within our award-winning platform² and, when you’re comfortable with the profit you have made – or wish to limit any more loss – close your position by clicking the ‘close’ button.

Your profit or loss is calculated by multiplying the amount the market moved by the size of your trade in dollars per point.

Two graphs showing a long position profit example as well as a short position profit example.

CFD trading examples

We’ve put together some CFD trading examples to guide you through the process of trading CFDs on a range of markets including shares, indices, cryptos¹, commodities and forex.

Share CFD trade example
Index CFD trade example
Commodities CFD trade example
Forex CFD trade example

Shares of Tesla Motors Inc (All Sessions) TSLA-US are currently trading at 51.615 with a buy price of 51.630 and a sell price of 51.600. You anticipate that the stock is going to increase in value over the next few days, so you decide to buy 150 share CFDs of TSLA-US at 51.630.

Say the TSLA-US share price did climb and was trading at 52.615 with a new buy price of 52.630 and sell price of 52.600. You would close your position by reversing your initial trade, selling 150 share CFDs of TSLA-US at 52.600. To calculate your profit, you’d multiply the difference between the closing price and opening price of your trade by its size. In this case, your profit would be S$145.50 ([52.600 – 51.630] x 150), excluding any additional costs.

However, if the Tesla share price had decreased to 50.515 (buy price 51.630 and sell price 50.500) and you had closed your position by selling the shares at the new sell price, you would make a loss. You could calculate this loss as the difference between the closing price and opening price of your trade by its size. In this case, that would be a loss of S$169.50 ([51.630 – 50.500] x 150 share CFDs), excluding any additional costs.

A graphic showing an example of making a profit with Tesla shares. To calculate your profit, you’d multiply the difference between the closing price and opening price of your trade by its size. In this case, your profit would be $145.50 ([52.600 – 51.630] x 150), excluding any additional costs.

A graphic showing an example of making a loss with Tesla shares.

Let’s say that you wanted to take a position on the US Tech 100 index going up, above its current price of 6900 (buy 6901.2, sell 6898.8). So, you buy 100 CFDs at the buy price of 6901.2. A single US Tech 100 CFD is worth S$10, so if you predict correctly and the US Tech 100 price goes up to 6911 (buy 6912.2, sell 6909.8), and you close your position by selling your CFDs at the new sell price of 6909.8, you’d have made a profit of S$8600 ([6909.8 – 6901.2] x S$10 x 100 CFDs).

If the index moves against you and you decide to close your position, you’d make a loss. For example, if the price drops to 6890 (buy price 6891.2, sell price 6888.8), you’d close your position by selling at the new sell price of 6888.8) In this case, you would have made a loss of S$12,400 ([6901.2 – 6888.8] x S$10 x 100 CFDs).

A graphic showing an example of making a profit on a prediction of the US Tech 100 Index

A graphic showing an example of making a loss on a prediction of the US Tech 100 Index

Let’s say you decide to trade CFDs on the price of Platinum, trading at 1218.55, with a buy price of 1218.80 and a sell price of 1218.30. You think platinum will go up, so you go long and buy 100 CFDs at 1218.80. The price of platinum does go up to 1250.25, with a buy price of 1250.50 and a sell price of 1250. You close your position by selling at the new sell price of 1250. You would then make a profit of S$3120 ([1250 – 1218.80] x 100 CFDs).

However, let’s say the platinum price drops to 1211.50, with a buy price of 1211.75 and a sell price of 1211.25. You decide to close your position by selling your CFDs at 1211.25, which means you’ll incur a loss of S$755 ([1218.80 - 1211.25] x 100).

GBP/USD is trading at 1.32585 with a buy price of 1.3259 and a sell price of 1.3258. You believe that GBP will strengthen, so you decide to buy five contracts at 1.3259. Currencies are traded in lots, where one GBP/USD lot (contract) is the equivalent of trading £100,000 for $132,590. This means your position size will be £500,000 ($662,950) – because you are buying five contracts. However, the margin is 3.33% so you’ll need to put up £16,650 to start trading.

If GBP/USD rises to 1.33185 with a buy price of 1.3319 and a sell price of 1.3318 and you decide to close your position, you’ll make a profit. So, you reverse your trade to close your position, selling five contracts at 1.3318. Your £500,000 is now worth $665,900 [new sell price of 1.3318 x (100,000 x five CFDs)]. Your profit is £3911.41 [($665,900 - $662,950) x your buy price of 1.3259].

If GBP/USD falls to 1.31885 instead, you might decide to close your position to prevent any further loss. The new buy price is 1.31890 and the sell price is 1.31880, so you sell five contracts at 1.31880. Your £500,000 is now worth $659,425, calculated as [1.31880 x (100,000 x five contracts)], which means your loss is £4717.60 [($662,950 - $659,400) x your buy price of 1.3289].

Just remember that, with spot market trades, you’ll need to pay any overnight funding charges if you hold your position past 10pm (UK time)*. Plus, you’ll have to pay capital gains tax on your profits. If you want to avoid overnight funding, try futures instead.

*International times may vary

FAQs

What markets can I trade with CFDs?

You can trade CFDs on over 13,000 markets with us, including indices, shares, forex, cryptos¹, commodities and more. You can even trade CFDs out of hours on certain markets, enabling you to make the most out of breaking news and any macroeconomic announcements – both after the market closes and before it opens.

Who can trade CFDs?

Anyone with a CFD trading account can take a position with CFDs. Why not create an account with us. Still, CFD trading is not for everyone.

As it’s a leveraged product, losses will be magnified. That is why it’s especially important to understand the risks involved and take steps to prepare yourself to trade CFDs.

If you’re unsure whether CFD trading is right for you, you may want to practise CFD trading in a risk-free environment with a free demo account.

I already have a CFD account with a different provider, but I’m thinking about opening a new account with IG. What do I need to be aware of?

To open a new CFD trading account with us, you just need to fill in a form so that we can establish your previous experience and available funds. This way, we can ensure you get the best trading experience possible.

Our mobile trading apps, state-of-the-art technology and free educational tools make the process of switching your account to us is fast and effortless. You can be signed up and ready to trade within minutes.

What platforms can I use to trade CFDs?

You can trade CFDs on our award-winning online trading platform and mobile trading app², both with real-time news and analysis available in-platform, so you can trade anywhere, anytime. You can also use our services with specialist third-party platforms including, ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.

Discover our range of award-winning platforms

Develop your knowledge of CFD trading with IG

Find out more about CFD trading and test yourself with IG Academy’s range of online courses.

Learn more

You might be interested in…

<h3>Benefits of CFD trading</h3>

Find out why traders like you trade contracts for difference

<h3>Platforms and apps</h3>

Take a look at our various platforms and cutting-edge technology

<h3>CFD calculator</h3>

Find out what your margin, profit and loss might be when trading CFDs

¹ Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender or securities. Cryptocurrency Contracts For Differences (CFDs), which are derivatives of cryptocurrency, are not regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Investors should be aware that they will not be entitled to legislative protection when trading cryptocurrency CFDs. If you choose to invest in unregulated products, you will not be protected under MAS regulations. Other risks associated with cryptocurrencies include high price volatility, lack of transparency and cybersecurity risks. Please ensure that you are fully aware of these risks, and if in doubt, you should consult an independent financial adviser. For more information on cryptocurrencies, their derivatives and associated risks, please refer to the MoneySense website here.
² Awarded the Best Online Trading Platform by Influential Brands in 2019 and 2022.

Disclaimer:

All forms of investments carry risks and trading CFDs may not be suitable for everyone. CFDs are leveraged instruments and can result in losses that exceed deposits, so please ensure that you fully understand, and are aware of, the risks and costs involved. Refer to the Risk Disclosure Statement and Risk Fact Sheet.

IG Asia Pte Ltd (Co.Reg.No. 200510021K) is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and holds a capital markets services licence for dealing in capital markets products that are over-the-counter derivatives contracts and is an exempt financial adviser.

IG provides an execution-only service. The information in this advertisement does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) investment advice or an investment recommendation, or an offer of or solicitation for a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. You should consider your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs before making a commitment to trade, including seeking advice from an independent financial adviser regarding the suitability of the investment, under a separate engagement, as you deem fit.

The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States or Belgium and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Careers | Marketing partnership