Trading Glossary

What are Trends in trading?

Trading trends refer to the overall direction of a security or market, often revealed through chart patterns or indicators. Traders use these trends to identify potential entry and exit points, as well as possible trading opportunities. Analyzing the financial markets in order to identify trends is an essential skill for successful traders. With knowledge of historical trends, investors can spot emerging ones and plan accordingly.

How do you identify a trend in trading?
Analyzing past market movements, changes in asset prices and economic data can be used to identify short-term and long-term trends. Using technical indicators such as moving averages, MACD, and stochastics can also help you spot potential trading opportunities and take advantage of prevailing market trends.

What are the 3 types of trends?
When analyzing the stock market, there are three primary trends that can be observed: short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term. Short-term trends generally last within one to three weeks, intermediate-term trends can range from one to four months, and long-term trends last more than a year. Being able to identify these different trend patterns will help investors maximize their potential returns. 

TRON’s goal is to create a decentralised internet. Its TRX cryptocurrency allows buyers to vote on who gets rewards for validating transactions on its blockchain. markets.com lets you trade TRX/USD at the latest spot rate.

What are Spreads in trading?

The term Spreads in trading is defined as the gap between the highest price to be paid for any given asset, to the lowest price the current asset holder is willing to sell at. Different markets and assets generate different spreads. For example, the Forex market, where both buyers and sellers are very active with this “gap” or spread will be small. 
 
In trading, a spread is one of the key costs of online trading. Generally, the tighter the spread, the better value traders get from their trades. Also, spreads are implied costs, where it is presented to traders in subsequent trades, as the assets traders buy on leverage must increase above the level of the Spread, rather than the above the initial price, for traders to make profit.

What is the importance of a Spread?
The Spread is important, even a crucial piece of information to be aware of when analysing trading costs. An instrument’s spread is a variable number that directly affects the value of the trade. Several factors influence the spread in trading:
• Liquidity. How easily an asset can be bought or sold. 
• Volume. Quantity of any given asset that is traded daily. 
• Volatility. How much the market price changes in a given period.

What is a Dividend and how does it work?

A dividend is a payment made by a company to its shareholders out of its profits. It's typically paid quarterly, with the amount of each dividend depending on how profitable the company is and how much the board of directors chooses to distribute. Dividends can be used as income or reinvested back into the company to purchase additional shares.

How many shares do you need to get dividends?
The exact number of shares you need to get dividends depends on the company's policy and dividend payout rate. Generally, owning at least one share qualifies you for receiving dividends.

Is a dividend a good thing for traders?
Yes. Dividends provide traders with regular income and the potential for capital gains if the dividend is reinvested into more shares. This can be beneficial to traders, as it can create a passive stream of income and add to their overall yeild.
 

What is a MetaTrader?

A MetaTrader is an electronic trading platform widely used by online retail traders. The MetaTrader application consists of both a client and server component. The server component is run by the broker and the client software is provided to the broker’s customers, who use it to see live streaming prices and charts, to place orders, and to manage their accounts.The platform works on Microsoft Windows-based applications as well as on Andriod and Mac OS applications.

Marktets.com supports the use of both the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 trading platforms with its traders. 

Metatrader 4 is still one of the most popular and easy-to-use trading platforms. With Expert Advisors, micro-lots, hedging and one-click trading.
Metatrader 5 is a powerful upgrade and the most advanced online trading platform It is a multi-asset derivatives platform for trading on CFDs and enables traders to perform hedging and netting, and delivers more technical indicators as well as more insight with market depth and a wider number of timeframes.


Can I trade on MetaTrader without a broker?
While you can download and use the MetaTrader software without a broker, it is not possible to trade without one. In order to execute trades on MetaTrader, you will need to open an account with a broker that offers the platform and deposit funds into that account.
 

What is Algo Trading?

Automated trading is also referred to as Algo Trading (Algorithmic is abbreviated to Algo) – is the use of algorithms for executing orders utilizing automated and pre-programmed trading instructions via advanced mathematical tools. Trading variables such as price, timing and volume are factors in Algo trading.
 
How does algo trading work?
Algo trading works by capitalizing on fast decision-making processes as human intervention is minimized. As such, Algo Trading enables automated trading systems to take advantage of opportunities arising in the market even before human traders can even spot them. It uses processes- and rules-based algorithms to employ strategies for executing trades. Algo trading is mostly used by large institutional investors and traders

What is cryptocurrency?

A Cryptocurrency is a digital currency supported by decentralised cryptographic technology. It does not rely on any central authority such as a central bank or government like a traditional currency. Instead, transactions are verified by multiple independent computers along a network. This creates several benefits including speed and general transparency. 

Cryptocurrency ownership is recorded in a digital ledger. This ledger then uses strong cryptography to maintain the integrity of transaction records. This controls the creation of more digital currency within the network and to verifies the transfer of coin ownership. Cryptocurrencies are generally viewed as a distinct asset class, yet do not exist in physical form.  
 
What is an example of a cryptocurrency? 
Some examples of popular cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

What is cryptocurrency CFD trading?
Cryptocurrency CFD trading is using CFDs to trade crypto. This enables traders to take a position on whether a cryptocurrency rises or falls. Cryptocurrency CFD trading opens up more trading opportunities as it allows traders to buy or sell the asset without physically owning it.

What is Trading Commission?

A Trading Commission is a service fee paid to a broker for services in facilitating or completing a trade.

How does a trade commission work?
Trade Commissions can be structured as a flat fee, or as a percentage of the revenue, gross margin or profit generated by the trade. At markets.com we do not charge our traders any commission fees on their trades and positions.

What are Trading Alerts?

Trading alerts are notifications or signals that are sent to traders to inform them of potential trading opportunities or market conditions that may affect their trades. These alerts can be generated by software programs, financial analysts, or other sources, and can be delivered via email, text message, or other forms of communication. They are typically used by traders to help them make more informed trading decisions and stay up-to-date on market conditions.

How do I set up trade alerts?
To set up trade alerts, you will need to use a trading platform or software that offers the alert feature. You can set up trading alerts easily on markets.com.

Can I set an alert for a stock price?
A stock price alert is just one of the types of trade alerts you can set up through markets.com.

What is Brent Crude?

Brent Crude is a physically and financially traded oil market based around the North Sea of Northwest Europe. In finance and trading the term refers to the price of the ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) or Brent Crude Oil futures contracts. The original Brent Crude referred only to a trading classification of sweet light crude oil extracted from the Brent oilfield in the North Sea. Additional oil blends from other oil fields have been added to the trade classification as time went by. The current Brent Crude blend consists of crude oil produced from the Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk, and Troll oil fields.

Why is Brent crude so important?
Brent Crude is important to the financial and trading domains as it is a leading global price benchmark for Atlantic basin crude oils. It is used to set the price of two-thirds of the world's internationally traded crude oil supplies. It is one of the two main benchmark prices for purchases of oil worldwide, the other being West Texas Intermediate (WTI).

The Brent Crude oil marker is also known as Brent Blend, London Brent, and Brent petroleum.

What is a Trade Execution?

A trade execution is the process of executing a trading order in the financial markets. This typically involves verifying all of the parameters for the order, sending the request to the market or exchange, monitoring execution, and ensuring all transaction requirements have been met.

Brokers execute Trade Execution Order in the following ways:
• By sending orders to a Stock Exchange
• Sending them to market makers
• Via their own inventory of securities

Why is execution of trade important?
Trade execution is important due to the fact that even digital orders are not fully instantaneous. Trade orders can be split into several batches to sell since price quotes are only for a specific number of shares. The trade execution price may differ from the price seen on the order screen.

What is trade execution time?
Trade execution time is the period of time between a trade being placed and the completion of the trade. This includes market access, pricing, liquidity sourcing, risk management and settlement of funds. Trade execution time can vary depending on asset class, liquidity levels and other factors.

What is a Treasury Stock?

Treasury stock, also known as reacquired stock, is stock which a company has repurchased from shareholders. This stock is issued and bought back by the company for various reasons including to improve financial statements and reward shareholders through dividend payments. Companies must keep records of their treasury stock in order to report them on financial statements.

How is treasury stock different from common stock?
Treasury stock, also known as "buyback," is a corporation's own stock that has been purchased back by the issuing company from shareholders. Treasury stock does not give voting rights or dividend payments. In contrast, common stock gives owners voting rights and entitles them to dividends, when declared. Treasury stocks are used to offset dilution and strengthen balance sheets while still giving shareholders an opportunity to sell shares without market risk.

What is the benefit of treasury stock?
By purchasing their own stock, companies can benefit from reducing risk, enhancing corporate governance and even increasing profits. In addition, the stock may be held in reserve for future issuance or to protect against takeover attempts.

Is treasury stock debt or equity?
Treasury stock is a form of equity, rather than debt. It is a company's own shares which have been bought back and held by the company, resulting in the number of outstanding shares being reduced. The buyback is often used to increase shareholder value, reduce the supply of outstanding stock, or as part of employee compensation programs.

How do you read trading charts?

Trading charts are used to display historical price data for a security or financial instrument. They typically include a time frame on the x-axis, and the price of the security or instrument on the y-axis. Candlestick charts, bar charts and line charts are the most common types of charts used in trading. Candlestick charts are the most popular and provide a visual representation of the opening price, closing price, highest and lowest price of the security in a given period of time. It also shows the direction of the price movement, whether it went up or down. Traders use different technical analysis tools like trendlines, moving averages, and indicators to interpret the charts and make trading decisions. There is a great deal of nuance in reading charts and doing it correctly will require experience and an understanding of how your chart of choice is presenting information to you.

How do you predict if a stock will go up or down?
Traders use different technical analysis tools and techniques to predict if a stock will go up or down using trading charts. These include: 

Trendlines: By connecting price highs or lows over a period of time, traders can identify the direction of the trend and predict future price movements. 

Moving averages: By plotting the average price over a period of time, traders can identify trends and potential buying or selling opportunities. 

Indicators: Technical indicators, such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), are mathematical calculations that are plotted on charts to help traders identify trends, momentum and potential buy or sell signals. 

Chart patterns: Traders also use chart patterns such as head and shoulders, double bottoms, and triangles to identify potential reversal points in the market and make predictions about future price movements. 

It's important to note that technical analysis is not an exact science and it's not a guarantee of future results. Traders should always use technical analysis in conjunction with fundamental analysis, which looks at a company's financial and economic conditions, to make informed trading decisions.

How do you know if a chart is bullish?
A chart is considered bullish if it is showing an upward trend or pattern, indicating that the price of a security or financial instrument is likely to rise. Bullish chart patterns include upward trending lines, ascending triangles, and bullish candlestick patterns such as the hammer or the bullish engulfing pattern. Traders often consider a stock to be bullish when it's trading above the moving average, especially when the moving average is trending upward.




 

What is Spread Betting?

Spread Betting is a type of financial speculation which allows you to take a position on the future direction of the price of a security, such as stocks, commodities or currencies. You can choose to speculate whether an asset will go up or down in value, without having to buy or sell it. Spread Betting enables you to take a view on the markets and gain access to the financial markets with limited capital outlay.

How does a spread bet work?
A spread bet is placed by betting on whether the asset's price will rise or fall. The investor can set their own stake size, which means they can take more or less risk according to their preferences. Spread bets are flexible and convenient, allowing you to benefit from even the slightest market movements.

What does a negative spread mean?
A negative spread in trading refers to a situation where the ask price for a security is lower than the bid price. This means that a trader could potentially sell a security for a higher price than they would have to pay to buy it. This is an unusual situation that can occur due to a temporary market anomaly or a technical error. Negative spreads are rare and they tend to be corrected quickly, as they represent an opportunity for arbitrage. Traders should be cautious when dealing with negative spreads and should consult with their broker or trading platform to understand the cause of the negative spread and its potential impact on their trade.
 

What is Currency Appreciation?

Currency appreciation in relation to Forex trading is defined as when one currency in a forex pair increases in value relative to the other currency in that pair. As such, the now “stronger” currency will cost more of the “weaker” one to buy. The reverse is also true, as that same stronger currency can now buy more of the weaker one when sold.  
  
Is it good if a currency appreciates? 
As one of the currencies in a currency pair goes up (or down), as the demand for it drives it up (or lack of it) or demand for the other currency) drives it down, than the supply does also follows – either less (when in demand) or more of it (when not in demand).  
  
There are several reasons for Currency Appreciation, including the balance of trade, speculation on any of the currencies in that pair, or issues occurring within the international capital market. Traders may attempt to predict currency appreciation by utilizing the economic calendar. This calendar details economic issues which might determine the strengths and weaknesses of the global or local economies and currencies.

What is a Currency Pair?

A Currency Pair is a term used in the Foreign Exchange, or Forex, domain. Currency pairs compare the value of one currency to another — the base currency versus a second comparative or 'quote' currency. A currency pair shows how much of a currency is required to buy a single unit of the currency it is being compared to. It is also known as an exchange rate and is used for all currencies traded in FX markets. 

What is a foreign currency?
A foreign currency is, very simply, any currency used in a country that isn't your own.

What is the structure of a foreign exchange market?
The foreign exchange market is a decentralized market where global currencies are traded. In this market, participants buy, sell, exchange and speculate on currencies. It operates through a global network of banks, corporations, and individual traders, who buy and sell currencies for both hedging and speculative purposes. The market is open 24 hours a day and it is considered the largest and most liquid financial market in the world.

What are the most commonly traded currency pairs?
The most commonly traded currency pairs are USD/CAD, EUR/JPY, GBP/USD and AUD/CAD.

What is an ISO code?
Each currency is identified by an ISO code. An ISO code is a three-character abbreviated name that is standardised and internationally recognised. For example, the ISO code for the United States Dollar is USD. 

What is a Quoted Price?

A quoted price is the most recent price at which an asset was traded at. Global and local events, either of a financial nature or completely unrelated to finances continually affect the quoted prices of assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and derivatives changes continually throughout a trading. Additionally, It is often the price point where buyers and sellers agree on, the most up-to-date agreement between buyers and sellers, or the bid and ask prices. It is also where supply meets demand.

Is a quoted price legally binding?
In most cases, when trading in an exchange, the quoted price is binding and the trade is executed at the quoted price, with the exchange acting as a counterparty to the trade. However, when trading OTC (over-the-counter), the quoted price is not necessarily binding as the parties have more flexibility in negotiating the final price, and the counterparty risk is higher.
 

The AEX Index, known also as the Amsterdam 25, is a free float-adjusted and market capitalisation-weighted index of the 25 biggest and most actively traded companies trading in Amsterdam. It was created on January 3rd, 1983, but its base value of 538.36 is taken from 4th January 1999 to account for conversion to the euro.

The index recorded an all-time high in September 2000 of 701.56. It is the most widely-used bellwether of the Dutch stock market's performance.

The biggest sector in the index is Oil & Gas, which accounts for 17% of the total weighting. Personal & Household Goods, and Technology, are the second and third biggest sectors in the index respectively, each making up around 14% of the AEX.

Amsterdam 25 futures allow you to speculate on, or hedge against, changes in the price of stocks in the Netherlands market. The instrument is priced in euros and rolled over on the second Friday of every month.

What is Day Trading?

Day trading is the practice of buying and selling financial securities, such as stocks or futures, with the aim of making short-term profits within a single day's trading session. It requires a good understanding of markets and an ability to take advantage of opportunities in the right timing. Professional day traders are typically very experienced and have a deep understanding of the markets, products, strategies, and the risks.

How does day trading work?
Day Trading works in the same way any other trading process, yet at times the intervals between positions are short to very short. Day traders buy and sell batches of various assets within the same day, or even within very short periods within that day. It can be said that the process is based on exploiting the inevitable up-and-down price movements which occur during a trading session.

How do I start day trading?
To start day trading, you need to have an account with a broker like markets.com, basic knowledge of the stock market and financial markets, and the ability to access the markets online or via an app. You should also educate yourself on risk management strategies, study different investment styles, and use technical analysis when deciding what stocks to buy and sell. Finally, make sure to set realistic goals and keep records of your trades.

What is CFD Trading?

A CFD is a derivative financial instrument based on the price movements of an underlying asset. CFDs enable traders to trade shares, Forex, indices, bonds, or commodities without actually owning the assets being traded.

A CFD (Contract for Difference) is made between two parties, typically described as "buyer" and "seller", stating that the buyer will pay the seller the difference between the current value of an asset and its value when the contract was initially made. If the closing trade price is higher than the opening price, then the seller (the broker) will pay the buyer (the trader) the difference, and that will be the buyer’s profit. The opposite is also true. That is, if the current asset price is lower at the exit price than the value at the contract’s opening, then the seller, rather than the buyer, will benefit from the difference.

What is the difference between CFD trading and share trading?
While both “regular stock trading” and CFD Share trading are executed via trading platforms and applications, there are key differences between them. As indicated above, the main difference between stock share and CFD trading is that when you trade a CFD you are speculating on an asset’s price without actually owning the underlying asset. While regular stock trading requires the parties to have ownership of the underlying stocks.

What is a Maintenance margin (also known as variation margin)?

Maintenance Margin, or “variation margin,” is considered as the minimum amount of equity (i.e., funds) which needs to be maintained in a trader’s margin account before a margin call is issued as due to the account value being below a minimum threshold and not being able to support open margin trade positions. Margin accounts are what leveraged trades use to trade, where they can purchase securities such as stocks, bonds, or options with funds borrowed from the brokerage.

How do you avoid maintenance margin?
To avoid maintenance margin issues, traders should monitor their account closely and adjust their leverage if needed. If your maintenance margin is not maintained it will result in a margin call, which may indicate that the trader should reconsider the risk exposure of their portfolio.

Why are maintenance margins important?
Maintenance margins are important to protect against losses due to fluctuations in the market. They ensure that traders maintain adequate capital reserves and can cover any potential losses.
 

What is stock Trading?

Stock trading is the practice of buying and selling stocks, or shares of ownership in a publicly-traded company, with the goal of making a profit through price appreciation or by receiving income in the form of dividends. Stock traders buy and sell shares in the stock market using a brokerage account, and they use a variety of strategies and techniques to determine when to enter and exit trades. Stock trading is a popular form of investment, but it also comes with risks and profits are in no way guaranteed. You should acquire a good understanding of the market and individual stocks before making trading decisions.

How are Stocks Different from Other Securities?
Stocks, also known as equities, represent ownership in a corporation, while other securities represent claims on an underlying asset. Other types of securities include bonds (debt securities), options, and derivatives.

How Do I Start Trading Stocks?
You can trade stocks using a stock exchange. Platforms like markets.com offer CFDs on stocks and other securities so you can start assembling and get trading outcomes of your own!

What is Index trading?

Index Trading is a type of trading that involves trading a specific financial index such as the S&P 500. It is considered to be a passive investment strategy, where the investor seeks to match their performance with the broader market, instead of attempting to beat it.

What is an index?
An index is a measure of a portion of the stock market that reflects changes in the value of a basket of stocks within it. This can provide an overall snapshot of how a specific market is performing. For example, the US Tech 100 gives a broad overview of the US tech market performance at any given time. 

What are indexes used for in finance?
Indexes are used in finance to measure the performance of portfolios and to benchmark the performance of investments against a predetermined set of criteria. They also help investors assess and analyze market trends, risks, and opportunities.

What are different types of index in stock market?
There are different types of indices in the stock market. Some indices used in Index trading are often used as benchmarks to evaluate performance in financial markets. Some of the most important indices in the U.S. markets are the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500.

What is an Ex-Dividend Date?

The term Ex-Dividend date refers to a cut-off date where shareholders buying shares from a company will not be eligible for upcoming dividends for those shares. 

Why is it important to know the ex-dividend date?
Knowing the ex-dividend date is important for investors as it determines whether they are eligible to receive the next dividend payment. On this day, stocks typically drop in price by an amount equal to the dividend paid, so understanding this date is essential for making informed decisions.

The Ex-Dividend Date is one of four dates relevant to a company’s dividends: The other three are:
• Declaration Date – When a company announces that it plans to issue dividends in the foreseeable future
• Record Date - When the dividend issuing company examines and closes its list of shareholders
• Payable Date - When the eligible shareholders are to be paid by the company 


What happens if I sell on ex-dividend date?
If you sell the stock on its ex-dividend date, you will not receive the next dividend. The buyer of the stock will receive the dividend and any capital gains, but you as the seller will miss out on this benefit.

What is Margin Trading?

Margin trading refers to the practice of borrowing money from a broker to purchase securities. It allows traders to buy more securities than they could afford to buy with cash alone, by leveraging the securities they already own as collateral. This increases the potential returns but also increases the potential risks, as the trader is responsible for paying interest on the borrowed money and must also cover any losses. Margin trading is considered to be a high-risk strategy and is only suitable for experienced traders with a good understanding of the risks involved.

How much money do you need for margin?
The amount of money required for margin trading depends on the minimum deposit requirement set by the broker. For markets.com this is 100 of your local currency, with the exception of South Africa where it is 1000 rand. 

What level of margin is safe?
The level of margin that is considered safe depends on the trader's risk tolerance and investment goals. A lower margin level is generally considered to be safer, as it reduces the potential for large losses

What is base Currency?

For Forex trading, a “Base Currency” is the first currency in any currency pair, representing the traded currency. The second currency in the pair is the quote currency. Example: in EUR/USD, the Euro is the base currency, and you can buy 1 EUR by paying 1.1 USD. 

An exchange rate attached to a currency pair indicates how much of the quote currency is needed to buy a single unit of the mentioned base currency. For example, reading EUR/USD = 2.15 means that 1 Euro is equal to $2.15.

What is Base vs. Local currency?
When viewing or receiving a direct quote, the base currency = foreign currency. Likewise, the local currency in a pair is the quote currency.

What is an RSI (Relative Strength Index)?

RSI stands for Relative Strength Index and is a technical analysis indicator that measures the strength of a security's price action, by comparing the magnitude of recent gains to recent losses. The RSI ranges from 0 to 100, with values above 70 indicating overbought conditions and values below 30 indicating oversold conditions. Traders often use the RSI as a buy or sell signal, depending on whether the RSI is above or below a certain level.


Is a higher RSI value better?
A higher RSI value generally indicates that a security is overbought, which means that it is trading at a relatively high price compared to its recent price history. Traders may interpret this as a signal to sell, or to be cautious about buying. Traditionally, an RSI value of 70 or above is considered to be overbought, and a value of 30 or below is considered to be oversold.
 

What is Yield?

Yield in trading refers to the return on an investment, expressed as a percentage of the investment's cost. It represents the income generated by an investment, such as interest or dividends, divided by the cost of the investment. The yield can be used to compare the returns of different investments and is an important metric for investors evaluating the performance of their portfolios.

How do I calculate yield?
Yield is calculated as (income generated by investment / cost of investment) * 100. The cost of the investment is usually the purchase price, and the income generated can come from various sources such as dividends, interest, or rent.

Is yield same as return?
No, yield and return are not the same. Yield is the income generated by an investment as a percentage of the cost, while return is the total gain or loss on the investment including both income and capital appreciation or depreciation.

What is an Order in trading?

An Order in trading is a request sent by a trader to a broker or trading platform to make a trade on a financial instrument such as shares, Crypto, CFDs, currency pairs and assets. This can be done on a trading venue such as a stock market, bond market, commodity market, financial derivative market, or cryptocurrency exchange

What are the most common types of orders?
Common types of orders are:
• Market Orders. A market order is given by traders and investors as an order to immediately buy or sell an asset, security, or share. Such an order guarantees that the order will be executed, yet the actual execution price is not guaranteed.
• Limit Orders. A limit order is an order to buy or sell an asset such as a security at a specific price or better than that price. Traders wishing to define a maximum price for either buying or selling an asset can use limit orders.
• Stop Orders. Stop orders instruct brokers to execute a trade when the asset’s price reaches a certain level.

What is a Range?

A range refers to the difference between the highest and lowest prices a stock may reach during a specific time frame. This range gives investors an indication of how volatile a particular asset might be in terms of its price movements, as well as what opportunities they might have to make money. By analyzing historical data and keeping up-to-date with market news, investors can develop strategies to capitalize on different ranges.

How do you use ranges in trading?
Range trading is a popular trading strategy in finance, particularly for traders looking to limit their risk and profit from a given market movement. When using ranges, traders identify support and resistance levels for a security or asset, and look to take profits when prices reach either level. By using a range-trading strategy, traders can limit the amount of capital they are willing to risk per trade, as well as capitalize on both long-term and short-term movements in the market. 

What is trend in trading?
A trend in trading is the general direction of a security's price over a period of time. Trend analysis helps traders make predictions about future market movements, allowing them to enter and exit positions at optimal times. Trends can be either upward or downward and often take weeks, months or even years to develop. To identify trends, technical analysis tools such as support and resistance levels, trend lines, and chart patterns are used by traders to detect buying and selling opportunities in the markets. Fundamental analysis also plays a role in recognizing potential profitable trading opportunities since underlying economic conditions may influence a security’s price.

 

What is a Reversal?

A Reversal is when the direction of a financial market or asset moves in the opposite direction from its current trend. Reversals can occur over a period of time and can be either bullish (price increasing) or bearish (price decreasing). Being aware of these trends can help traders maximize their profits.

What is an example of reversal?
If the stock market has been rising for several weeks and then begins to fall, that's considered a reversal. Reversals are an important concept for investors to understand as they can indicate a change in sentiment that could lead to further movement in the same direction.
 

What Are Currency Futures Contracts?

Currency futures are legally binding agreements that are traded on exchanges, where traders can buy or sell a specific currency at a fixed exchange rate on a future date. These contracts allow traders to hedge against foreign exchange risks by fixing the price at which a currency can be obtained (exchanged). On the expiration date of the contract, the "counterparties" to the agreement must deliver the specified currency amount at the agreed-upon price.

What is the benefit of buying a currency futures contract? 
The main benefit of buying a currency futures contract is that it allows traders to fix the price of a currency and thus hedge against foreign exchange risks.

What is a futures contract in simple terms?
A futures contract is a legally binding agreement to buy or sell a specific asset at a fixed price on a future date.

What happens when currency futures expire? 
At expiration, the counterparties to the contract must deliver the specified currency amount at the agreed-upon price. Traders are responsible for having enough capital in their account to cover margins and losses which result after taking the position. If they wish to exit their obligation prior to the contract's delivery date, they need to close out their positions.

What is an Economic Calendar?

An economic calendar is a schedule of dates when significant news releases or events are expected, which may affect the global or local financial markets volatility as well as currency exchange rates. Traders and all functions involved in the markets and financial issues make use of the economic calendar to follow up and prepare on what is going to happen, where and when.
 
Due to the impact of financial events and announcements, on exchange rates, the forex market is highly affected by monetary and fiscal policy announcements. As such, traders make use the economic calendar to plan ahead on their positions and trades and to be aware of any issues that may affect them.

What is Financial Market volatility? 
Financial Market volatility is the degree of variation of a trading price series over time. Many traders will consider the historic volatility of a stock. This is the fluctuations of price in a given time frame. Historic volatility creates forward looking implied volatility. This allows us to predict price variation in the future.

US Treasury Bonds 30Y (UB) are securities issued by the US government with maturities that vary from ten to 30 years. The U.S Treasury suspended issuance of the 30 year bond between February 2002 and February 2006. When bonds are sold on the secondary market, they can go up and down in price in the same way that shares and funds do. US Treasury Bond prices are primarily affected by interest rates, inflation and economic growth, as well as their reputation as a safe haven. 

Historically, the US Government Bond 30Y reached an all-time high of 15.21% in 1981 and a record low of 2.11% in 2016.

Basic Attention Token (BAT) crypto was built to improve the security, fairness, and efficiency of digital advertising through the use of blockchain technology. Users are rewarded with BAT for viewing ad content, publishers can deliver higher-impact ads and advertisers can be assured their messaging is being viewed by a willing audience. Trade BAT in USD using the BAT/USD symbol.

What is an Overnight Index Swap?

An Overnight Index Swap (Swap Fee) is a process where the settlement of a deal is rolled forward to another value date, and a charge is levied based on the difference in the interest rates of the two currencies. Every day at 21:00 GMT, open positions are rolled over to the next day and the positions gain or lose interest based on the interest differential between the bought and sold currencies.

What is OIS compound?
The index rate is typically the rate for overnight lending between banks, either non-secured or secured. The fixed rate of OIS is typically an interest rate considered less risky than the corresponding interbank rate (LIBOR) because there is limited counterparty risk.

The LIBOR–OIS spread is the difference between IRS rates, based on the LIBOR, and OIS rates, based on overnight rates, for the same term.
 

The United States Oil Fund (USO) is an ETF that aims to track the daily price movements of WTI Crude Oil. USO's Benchmark is the near-month crude oil futures contract traded on the NYMEX. The Crude Oil contract is WTI light, sweet crude delivered to Cushing Oklahoma.

This ETF is a good way to get commodity exposure without using a futures account and offers more options for traders such as intraday pricing and limit/stop orders.

What is Volume of Trade?

In trading, “Volume of Trade” (Volume) refers to the total quantity of shares or contracts traded for a specific security, share or even to the market as a whole. Volume of trade can be measured through any type of asset traded during a specific duration, usually a trading day.

How is trade volume calculated?
Trade volume is calculated by adding together the number of shares or contracts traded during a specified time period.

What is a good volume to trade?
A good trade volume for a security varies and can depend on factors such as the type of security, market conditions, and overall liquidity. Generally, higher trade volume indicates greater liquidity, which can make it easier to buy and sell the security.

What does it mean when trade volume is high?
High trade volume means there is a high number of shares or contracts being bought and sold in a security or market, indicating high levels of interest and liquidity.

What is equity in trading?

Equity is the value of a trader's account, representing the total assets minus any margin used to open trades. It reflects their financial position and potential financial outcomes from any trading activities as they currently stand. Traders can use equity to decide when to enter or exit positions and what size positions to take.

What is difference equity and stock?
For traders, stock and equity are synonymous terms as stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity are items found on the balance sheet.

What is difference between equity and account balance?
Equity is the total account balance including profits/losses from open positions, whereas the account balance is simply the total money deposited in an account before any trades have been made.

What is a Guaranteed Stop Order?

A Guaranteed stop order provides traders with a form of protection for their positions. They can have a guaranteed exit at the exact price they specify. This can be used regardless of market volatility. This is different from “standard” stop-loss orders, which may be filled at worse price levels than were requested due to “slippage”. A guaranteed stop loss order (GSLOs) will incur a fee / premium which will only be charged if it was triggered.

How does guaranteed stop work?
A guaranteed stop loss works in the same way as a standard one does, via instructions provided to the broker to close a position at a specific level, thereby reducing the risk should the market move against the trader.

Should I use guaranteed stop-loss?
Guaranteed stop-loss automatically exits you from the market at a certain predetermined price level in order to limit potential losses if the market goes against you. As such, especially for less experienced traders, it is a recommended strategy to mitigate losses.

WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend (DLN) consists of the 300 largest companies ranked by market capitalisation from the WisdomTree Dividend Index. The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that measures the performance of large-cap dividend-paying US companies.

The top ten stock holdings account for 26.76% of the index and include Microsoft, Apple, Exxon Mobil and Verizon Communications. Four sectors (Information Technology, HealthCare, Consumer Staples and Financials) account for 56.4% of the index’s holdings. This ETF is a good option for traders looking for exposure to large cap equity from dividend-paying companies.

What is Arbitrage in Trading?

Arbitrage is trading that makes use of small differences in price between identical assets in two or more markets. An asset will most likely be sold in different markets, forms or via a different financial products. 

Arbitrage is one alternative trading strategy that can prove exceptionally profitable when leveraged by sophisticated traders. It also carries risks which need to be considered prior and during an arbitrage. 

Arbitrage as a trading strategy is when an asset is simultaneously bought and sold in different markets, thus taking advantage of a price difference, and generating a potential profit. Arbitrage is commonly leveraged by hedge funds and other sophisticated investors.


What is an example of arbitrage?
Without going into actual trading advice, here are several examples of Arbitrage in Trading:
• Exchange rates
• Offshore operations
• Cryptocurrency 
And perhaps the most obvious and common form of arbitrage which is acting as a go between or affiliate, earning commission on price differences between the seller and the buyer.

Types of arbitrage traders use:
• Pure arbitrage - Traders simultaneously buying and selling assets in different markets to take advantage of a price differences. 
• Merger arbitrage – When two publicly traded companies merge. If the target is a publicly traded company, the acquiring company must purchase its outstanding shares Convertible arbitrage. 
• Convertible Arbitrage. It is related to convertible bonds, also called convertible notes or convertible debt.

What is Resistance Level?

In trading, resistance level is a price point at which the price of a security or financial instrument tends to encounter selling pressure, making it difficult for the price to rise above that level. The resistance level is seen as a ceiling, as the price has a hard time going above it. Traders use resistance levels to identify areas where they expect the price to stall or reverse direction. This can be determined by observing the historical price movement of a security or financial instrument, looking for areas where the price has consistently failed to break above. Resistance levels are also used in combination with support levels to identify potential price ranges and trade entry or exit points.

What happens when a stock hits resistance?
If a stock hits a resistance level it can cause the stock to stall, move sideways, or even reverse direction. At resistance level traders that have taken a long position might decide to take profits, while traders that have not yet taken a position might decide to wait for a break above the resistance before buying.

When a stock hits resistance, traders will typically observe the stock's behavior at that level to determine if the resistance level is likely to hold or if the stock is likely to break through it. If the stock breaks through resistance, it can be considered a bullish sign, indicating that the stock is likely to continue to rise. On the other hand, if the stock fails to break through resistance, it can be considered a bearish sign, indicating that the stock is likely to stall or reverse direction.


 

What is a Bond?

While all traders know that crypto is traded online, they may not be aware that they can also trade more traditional markets such as bonds. So, what are Bonds, what is a bond, and where can you trade them?

A bond is a form of financial derivative trading. Traders take position on the price of the underlying instrument and not purchasing the instrument itself. As such, they buy a Bond CFD or Contract for Difference of that instrument. If a Bond CFD is expected to go up in value, traders can take a long position. The opposite is true of course and if the value of a bond is expected to fall, traders can take a short position.

A bond is a loan that the trader (now bond holder) makes to the issuer. Bonds can be issued by governments, corporations or companies looking to raise capital. When traders buy a bond, they are providing the issuer with a loan in return for that bond. The issuer takes on a commitment to pay the bondholder interest and to return the principal sum when the bond matures.

What is a Profit and Loss statement?

A Profit and Loss (P&L) statement is a financial report which provides a revenue summary for a company, reflecting its expenses (i.e., loss) and profit. The P&L statement provides an insight of a company’s operations and if it has the ability (and is capitalising on that ability) to generate profits, to increase revenue, and/or to reduce costs. Company executives and investors make use of P&L statements to analyse the financial health of companies. It is issued quarterly and annually by every public company, along with the balance sheet and the cash flow statement.

Is a profit and loss statement same as income?
A profit and loss (P&L) statement and an income statement are similar but not the same. Both show a company's revenues and expenses over a period of time, but the P&L statement is focused on the company's profitability, while the income statement is focused on the company's financial performance. P&L statement is a financial statement that shows a company's revenues, costs and expenses during a specific period, allowing to calculate the net income (profit or loss) of the company. Income statement, also known as statement of income or statement of operations, is a financial statement that reports a company's financial performance over a specific period of time, showing the revenues, costs, expenses and net income of the company.

What is an open position?

An open position in trading refers to a trade that has been entered into but not yet closed or settled. The position remains open until the trader decides to close it by executing an opposing order or if the order reaches its expiration. It can refer to a long or short position in a security or financial instrument.

When should you close your position?
A trader should close their position in trading when their predetermined criteria for exiting the trade have been met, such as reaching a certain profit level or stop-loss point. It could also be closed because the trade no longer aligns with their overall strategy or market conditions have changed.

Genomic ETF (ARKG) constituents are companies designing technologies for, or are expected to benefit from, extending & enhancing the quality of human and other life by integrating technological and scientific developments and advancements in genomics into their business. Sectors covered include CRISPR, targeted therapeutics, bioinformatics, molecular diagnostics, stem cells, and agricultural biology. 

Tezos (XTZ) cryptocurrency is designed to run smart contracts with decentralised applications. The currnecy uses Liquid Proof of Stake model. This allows XTZ owners to delegate validation rights but still earn staking rewards, without giving up custody of their cryptocurrency. Trade XTZ/USD at latest spot rights on our platform.

Futures contracts for Orange juice (ORA) are based upon frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ).

Brazil is by far the world's largest producer of oranges, harvesting 20 million metric tonnes per year. China is in second spot, but still far behind, with an annual yield of 7 million, followed by the EU (6.5 million), the US (4.8 million), and Mexico (4.6 million).

Factors that can affect the supply - and therefore the price - of orange juice include weather, crop disease, and the strength of the US dollar. For instance, orange juice futures often increase in price when hurricanes travel towards Florida, a key growing region. Consumer demand often plays a role as well; orange juice is a popular breakfast staple, but a move away from drinks with high sugar content has seen demand decline in recent years.

The CAC 40, also known as the France 40, is a blue-chip index and stock market barometer comprising of the 40 companies listed in Paris with the highest liquidity and free-float market capitalisation. It is the most-traded index administered by Euronext.

The index has a base level of 1,000, taken from the 31st December 1987. It was launched on 15th June 1988. The index hit a record high of 6,922.33 in September 2000, with an all-time low of 893.82 recorded in January 1988.

Personal & Household Goods is the biggest sector in the index, comprising around 13% of the total weighting, followed closely by Industrial Goods & Services. Oil & Gas is the third-biggest sector, with a weighting of just under 12%. Healthcare and Banks are the fourth and fifth largest sectors respectively. Companies are limited to a 15% weighting.

CAC 40 index futures allow you to speculate on, or hedge against, changes in the price of major French stocks. Futures rollover on the second Friday of each month.

The NIFTY 50 Index, also known as the India 50, is a free-float market capitalisation computed index of 50 top companies trading on the National Stock Exchange of India.

The index was launched on April 22nd, 1996, with a base value of 1,000, calculated as of November 3rd, 1995.

Financial Services is the largest component of the index, with a weighting of 37.09%, while Energy and IT are the second and third largest sectors, accounting for 15.01% and 13.27% respectively. The index covers 12 sectors of the Indian economy; Financial Services, Energy, IT, Consumer Goods, Automobile, Construction, Metals, Pharma, Cement & Cement Products, Telecom, Media & Entertainment, Services, and Fertilisers & Pesticides.

India 50 futures allow you to speculate on, or hedge against, changes in the price of major stocks on the National Stock Exchange of India. Futures rollover on the fourth Friday of each month.

What is the Federal Reserve?

The Federal Reserve bank, or the ‘Fed’ for short, is the central bank in charge of monetary and financial stability in the United States. It is part of a wider system – known as the Federal Reserve system – with 12 regional central banks located in major cities across the US.

What does the Federal Reserve do?
The Federal Reserve performs five main functions to promote the effective operation of the U.S. economy and, more generally, the public 
interest. It:
• Conducts the nation’s monetary policy
• Promotes the stability of the financial system 
• Promotes the safety and soundness of individual financial institutions 
• Fosters payment and settlement system safety and efficiency 
• Promotes consumer protection and community development

Who Controls Federal Reserve?
The Federal Reserve is governed by a Board of Governors in Washington, DC, and 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks located throughout the country. The Board of Governors is an independent government agency appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Chairman of the Board of Governors also serves as Chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, which sets monetary policy.

What is the Grey Market?

In the financial and trading domains, the Grey Market enables traders to take positions on a company’s potential via yet-to-be-released Initial Public Offering (IPO). Asset and share prices in this market are more of a prediction of what the company’s total market capitalization will be at the end of its first trading day than any official or sanctioned price.

How do grey markets make money? 
Grey markets make money by providing liquidity for new IPOs by allowing buyers and sellers to trade in newly issued stocks without the issuer's consent. This provides the issuer with a way to gain quick access to capital without relying on banks or other traditional sources of funding.

How do I get into grey market?
A grey market also refers to public companies and securities that are not listed, traded, or quoted in a U.S. stock exchange. Grey market securities have no market makers quoting the stock. Also, since they are not traded or quoted on an exchange or interdealer quotation system, investors' bids and offers are not collected in a central spot, so market transparency is diminished, and effective execution of orders is difficult.
 

What is an Opening Price?

The Opening Price is the price at which a security first trades upon the opening of an exchange on a trading day. It is important to note that it may not identical to the previous day’s closing price. Also, for new stock offerings (IPO etc), Opening Price refers to the initial share price at the beginning of trade of the first day. Yet there are some cases when an opening price will also be the share price which was established by the first trade of the day, instead of being based on a price that was already in place when at the beginning of trade of that day at that specific exchange.

How is opening price calculated?
The opening price is can be calculated by taking the first trade price executed in that trading session. In case of stock trading it is the price of the first trade executed on the exchange when the market opens. Opening price is usually used to calculate the performance of the stock or any other asset for the day.

What is the difference between opening price and closing price?
The opening price is the price of an asset at the start of a trading session, while the closing price is the price of an asset at the end of a trading session. 

Who sets the opening price of a stock?
The opening price of a stock is typically set by the stock exchange or market maker responsible for trading that stock. 

What is Technical Analysis?

Technical analysis is a type of financial analysis that looks at historical price movements and trading volumes to predict future price movements in the market. It involves studying trends, chart patterns, momentum indicators, and other factors to make informed decisions about trading. Technical analysis can help traders and investors gain insight into market sentiment, timing their trades for optimal returns.

Why is technical analysis important?  
Technical analysis is a critical component of successful financial and trading strategies. It helps investors understand the past performance of a security, identify current trends and anticipate future price movements. Technical analysis relies on mathematical calculations and charting techniques to evaluate securities, which can be an invaluable tool for traders to optimize returns and manage risk.

Which tool is best for technical analysis?  
There are many tools that can be used for technical analysis, and different traders may have different preferences. Some commonly used tools include:

• Candlestick charts: These charts provide a visual representation of price movements and can be used to identify patterns and trends.
• Moving averages: These indicators can be used to smooth out price movements and identify trends.
• Relative strength index (RSI): This indicator compares the magnitude of recent gains to recent losses and can be used to identify overbought and oversold conditions.
• Bollinger Bands: These indicators are used to measure volatility and identify potential buy and sell signals.

Ultimately, the best tool for technical analysis will depend on the individual trader's preferences and the market conditions they are trading in. it's important to use multiple tools and indicators to validate the signals and make better decisions.

What is High frequency trading?

High frequency trading (HFT) is an automated form of algorithmic trading which uses computer programs to execute large numbers of orders at incredibly high speeds. This allows traders to capitalize on small price discrepancies in the market by exploiting arbitrage opportunities that exist due to different pricing among different exchanges. HFT is widely used today as a way for investors to make quick and efficient trades with a lower cost of entry.

How does high-frequency trading work?
High-frequency trading is an automated system of buying and selling stocks within fractions of a second. By using complex algorithms, traders can analyze and make decisions about the markets at a much faster rate than traditional methods. As a result, high-frequency trading enables firms to take advantage of short-term price fluctuations and generate significant profits.

The WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend ETF (DEM) tracks the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index. The index is a fundamentally weighted index that is comprised of the highest dividend-yielding common stocks selected from the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index. This provides it with some downside protection from market volatility.

DEM is an equity fund, and has a mix of market sectors. It includes stocks from key emerging markets such as Russia and China, with assets including China Contruction Bank, China Mobile and Norilsk Nickel.

ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (TBT) aims to deliver daily investment results that reflect twice the inverse of the daily performance of the ICE US Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Traders would look to get a 200% return opposite to the movement of US Treasury Securities.

This is a leveraged product, and so carries more risk. As with many leveraged ETFs, it delivers daily results and it designed as a single day bet. Positions that are held for longer than a day will get differing results. This ETF can be a useful tactical position or hedge against rising interest rates.

What are Multilateral trading facilities (MTFs)?

Multilateral Trading Facilities (MTFs, also known as Alternative Trading Systems or ATS in the United States) provide investment firms and eligible traders with alternatives to traditional stock exchanges. MTFs enable the trading of a wider variety of markets than other exchanges. MTFs users can trade on securities and instruments, including those that may not have an official market. They are electronic systems controlled by approved market operators as well as large investment banks. 

What are OTFs?
OTFs (Organized Trading Facilities) are a type of trading venue that is authorized by European Union (EU) legislation to operate in the EU. They are similar to Multilateral Trading Facilities (MTFs) and provide a platform for the trading of financial instruments, such as bonds, derivatives, and equities. Unlike MTFs, OTFs have more flexibility in terms of the types of instruments and trading methods that they can offer.


Is a multilateral trading facility a regulated market?

Yes it is. MTFs are authorized by EU regulators, which provides a platform for the trading of financial instruments, such as bonds, derivatives, and equities.

What are the risks associated with CFD and Forex trading?

CFDs are a leveraged financial instrument that allow traders to gain exposure to an underlying asset, such as shares, commodities or indices. While this provides great potential for profits, it also carries significant risks. The main risk is the possibility of losses greater than your initial deposit if the market moves against you. CFDs also have costs associated with trading such as commissions and spreads. Make sure you understand the risks before trading with CFDs.

What are the disadvantages of CFDs?
CFDs are complex instruments and may not be suitable for everyone due to the risk of leverage. CFDs also come with costs, including spreads and commissions which can cut into potential profits. Furthermore, it's important to understand how margin calls work as well as potential losses from unanticipated price movements or illiquidity in the market.


How much can you lose in a CFD trade?
In a CFD trade, you can potentially lose more than your initial investment, as the loss is based on the difference between the entry and exit price of the trade. It is important to set stop loss orders to limit potential losses. Additionally, using proper risk management strategies can help to minimize losses.

 

What is Hedging (to Hedge)?

Hedging, or to hedge, in the trading domain is defined as traders reducing their exposure to risk. Hedging is done by taking an offsetting position in an asset or investment that reduces the price risk of an existing position. 

Why is it called hedging?
"Hedge your bets" is a term which originated in the 1600s and means to decrease or limit one's risk. The origin of the phrase is thought to be derived from the action of literally fencing off an area with hedges

How does hedging work?
Hedging involves taking offsetting positions in different markets, such as futures contracts or derivatives to diversify risk if one instrument falls.

What is Reverse Stock Split?

A reverse stock split, also known as a "reverse split," is a corporate action in which a company reduces the number of outstanding shares by canceling a portion of its shares and increasing the par value of its remaining shares. This means that for every N shares that a shareholder owns, they will end up owning 1 share, where N is the reverse split ratio. For example, if a company performs a 1-for-2 reverse stock split, a shareholder who previously owned 100 shares would now own 50 shares. 

Is it better to buy before or after a reverse stock split?
It is not necessarily better to buy before or after a reverse stock split, as it depends on the specific circumstances of the company and the stock. A reverse stock split does not change the underlying value of the company, it only changes the number of shares outstanding and the stock price. However, it is important to understand that in general, companies that perform reverse stock splits tend to be struggling and have a low stock price. Buying before a reverse stock split may allow you to buy shares at a lower price, but it also means you're probably buying into a struggling company.

Is a reverse stock split good?
As with all things in the market, the answer is that it depends. The main reason for a company to perform a reverse stock split is to increase the per-share price of the stock, which can make the stock appear more attractive to investors and also bring it above a certain listing requirement in stock exchanges. Additionally, a reverse split can also help to reduce the number of shareholders and increase the liquidity of the stock, making it easier to trade. However, a reverse stock split can also be a sign of a struggling company, and it can also dilute the value of shares for the existing shareholders.


 

What are Trailing Stop Orders in trading?

Trailing Stop Orders are a type of stock order that lets investors adjust the stop price as a security rises or falls. This order works by continuously monitoring the price of a security and dynamically adjusts the stop price with every tick. The advantage of this type of order is that it allows investors to limit their losses, while locking in profits, without having to manually modify the stop-loss point.

Are Trailing Stop Orders good?
Trailing Stop Orders can be a good way to protect profits in your trading. They allow you to set an automated stop-loss that trails the price of a stock, adjusting up as it rises, while allowing you to lock in some gains if the stock begins to fall. This is especially useful when dealing with volatile stocks, giving you more control over your position.

What is a disadvantage of a trailing stop loss?
Trailing stop losses can help minimize risk when trading, however they also limit potential gains. The stop price adjusts based on market conditions, so as the price increases, the stop loss will move up. If the stock drops significantly and your trailing stop loss is too close, it may be triggered before you have a chance to react.

Which is better stop limit or trailing stop?
It depends entirely on the trader. A stop limit will sell at the specified price, while a trailing stop will track price changes and sell when the specified amount is exceeded. Different traders may have different needs and objectives, so which type of order is best will vary. Consider your goals before deciding which option is right for you.

The Sprott Silver Investment Trust (PSLV) seeks to provide a secure, convenient, and exchange-traded investment alternative for investors interested in holding physical silver bullion without the inconvenience that is typical of a direct investment in physical silver bullion. The Trust intends to achieve this by investing primarily in long-term holdings of unencumbered, fully allocated, physical silver bullion and does not speculate with regard to short-term changes in silver prices.

Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) tracks US energy companies within the S&P 500. This asset uses the Energy Select Sector Index as its tracking benchmark. The ETF is offers concentrated exposure to oil and gas industry giants, as the S&P500 favours large-caps. Nevertheless, it is fairly representative of the whole energy market.

Just a few holdings make up a big part of the portfolio, and there are only 31 holdings in total. Top holdings for the benchmark index include Exxon Mobil Corp, Chevron Corp and ConocoPhillips.

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) tracks US industrial companies within the S&P 500. This asset uses the Industrial Select Sector Index as its tracking benchmark. The ETF provides concentrated exposure large-cap US industrial companies, with limited small and midcap companies.

The index comprises just 70 holdings from the industrial sector. Top holdings for the benchmark index include Boeing Co, 3M Co, Union Pacific Corp and Honeywell International Inc.

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) tracks US tech companies within the S&P 500. This asset uses the Technology Select Sector Index as its tracking benchmark. As the tech firms in the index are just drawn from the S&P 500, there are some odd inclusions such as financial payment processors and telecoms companies.

The index comprises just 69 holdings from the tech sector, with two accounting for more than a third of the index – Microsoft Corp and Apple Inc. Other holdings include Visa, Intel and Cisco.

What is the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)?

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the policy-making arm of the Federal Reserve System (the Fed) which is responsible for making monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is made up of 12 members, including the seven governors of the Federal Reserve Board and five of the 12 Reserve Bank presidents. 

What does the Federal Open Market Committee impact?
The FOMC meets eight times a year to set the target for the federal funds rate, which is the interest rate at which banks lend and borrow money from each other overnight. The FOMC's decisions can have a significant impact on interest rates, the economy, and the stock market. The FOMC makes key decisions about interest rates and the growth of the United States money supply. It also directs operations undertaken by the Federal Reserve System in foreign exchange markets. They consider a wide array of factors such as trends in prices and wages, employment and production, business investment and inventories, foreign exchange markets, and fiscal policy.
 

ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF (UCO) is a leveraged asset that seeks to deliver twice the daily investment results of the Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex. This is a single-day bet and is not suitable for buy-and-hold investors. Results can vary significantly if held for periods longer than one day. This is a leveraged ETF so traders take on more risk than with an unleveraged product.

ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO), aims to deliver results that are twice the inverse daily performance of the Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex. It is an ETF product for traders looking to short crude oil in a single day bet. Trades that last for more than a day are not expected to see the same returns.

 The subindex reflects WTI Crude Oil prices and only consists of futures contracts on WTI Crude Oil. This is a leveraged product, all leveraged products carry more risk than unleveraged products.

BitcoinSV uses original Bitcoin protocol, as laid out by inventor Satoshi Nakamoto’s 2008 whitepaper. Thus, BitcoinSV should be stable, and enjoy high scalability. It is priced in USD and the instrument is tradeable using the BSV/USD spot rate.

The Direxion Work From Home ETF (WFH) offers exposure to companies across four technology pillars, allowing investors to gain exposure to those companies that stand to benefit from an increasingly flexible work environment. The four pillars include Cloud Technologies, Cybersecurity, Online Project and Document Management, and Remote Communications. Companies are selected for inclusion in the index by ARTIS, a proprietary natural language processing algorithm, which uses key words to evaluate large volumes of publicly available information, such as annual reports, business descriptions and financial news.

What is an account balance in trading?

A trader's "account balance" is the total value of the account including all and any settled profit & loss, deposits, and withdrawals. 

How do I check my trading account balance?
As mentioned, your account balance is the total sum of settled positions, P&L, deposits, and withdrawals. Yet this balance does not include profit or loss resulting from any open positions. If positions are indeed open, the balance might change depending on pending losses or profits until such positions are closed. As such, it is recommended to check your trading account balance regularly as new positions open and close on a regular basis.

US Treasury Bonds are securities issued by the US government with maturities that vary from ten to 30 years. After initial auction, the bonds can be sold on the secondary market. A number of things can affect the price of TBonds, as with other bonds, shares and funds. US Treasury Bonds are primarily affected by interest rates, inflation and economic growth, as well as their reputation as a safe haven.

Historically, the US Government Bond 10Y (ZN) reached an all-time high of 15.82% in September 1981 and a record low of 1.36% in July 2016.

What does rollover mean in trading?

In trading, rollover refers to the process of extending the settlement date of a trade by rolling it forward to the next available delivery date. This is typically done for futures contracts and currency trades. Rollover allows traders to maintain an open position beyond the initial settlement date without having to close and re-open the trade. 

What are rollover and swap?
When rolling over a trade, a trader may also be required to pay or receive the difference in the interest rate between the two currencies involved in the trade. This is known as "swap" or "overnight financing". Rollover is typically done when traders expect market conditions to remain favorable for their position, allowing them to capture more potential profit.

 

ACWI stands for All Country World Index and this ETF is designed to provide a broad reflection of the performance of equity markets around the world comprising stocks from 23 developed and 24 emerging markets. It’s owned by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI).

The ETF tracks nearly 2,500 stocks, including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook. Stocks from five countries make up 72.6% of the ACWI, those being the USA, Japan, the UK, France and China. The remaining 27.4% comprises stocks from the other 42 countries. The ACWI is used as a benchmark of performance by fund managers, and is considered a good way to diversify a portfolio.

The DAX, also known as the Germany 40, is a blue-chip index of the top 30 stocks trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The DAX boasts extreme liquidity and is one of the most-traded index derivatives across the globe.

The index has a base value of 1,000, with a base date of 31st December 1987. As of 18th June 1999, the DAX indices price has been calculated using equity prices from the Frankfurt XETRA all-electronic trading system. DAX is best-known barometer of the domestic stock exchange, representing around 80% of the total market.

Pharma & Healthcare is the biggest sector in the DAX, accounting for 14.2% of the index. Automobiles are next, with 13.9% of the total weighting, followed by Chemicals with 12.7%.

The DAX is one of only a few of the major country stock indices to factor in dividend yields.

DAX index futures allow you to speculate on, or hedge against, changes in the price of major German stocks. Futures rollover on the second Friday of March, June, September, and December.

What is an Asset in trading?

The definition of Assets in trading is as resources which provide an economic value. Assets include but are not limited to cash, property, rights, as well as resources that have the potential of generating. Assets are what businesses require and use to operate. Assets are considered as one of the three fundamentals of any financial calculation, together with liabilities and equity.

Trading Assets Definition
There are several ways of defining and classifying assets:
• Convertible – Liquidity based, as in how fast they can be converted into cash. 
• Current Assets – Liquid assets that are expected to be converted to cash within a year. 
• Fixed Assets – Cannot be easily and readily converted into cash.
• Physical Existence – Tangible or intangible assets defined by their material presence. 
• Tangible Assets – Having physical substance, such as hardware, cash, & inventory. 
• Intangible Assets – Resources without physical substance patents, licenses, & copyrights.
• Operating Assets – Necessary to the ongoing operation of a business.
• Non-Operating Assets – Non-functional such as idle equipment & vacant land.

What are Online Brokers?

Online brokers are digital trading platforms that allow users to trade stocks, options, ETFs and other financial products online. They offer convenience and competitive pricing, making them popular among individual investors and traders.

What are the three types of brokers?
Trading brokers come in three main varieties: full-service, discount, and online. Full-service brokers offer a variety of services such as research, advice, and account management. Discount brokers are low-cost and may only offer basic services. Online brokers provide customers access to the markets with limited assistance.

Are online brokers safe?
Online brokers are generally safe when used correctly. It is important to use trusted and reliable providers, keep your account secure, and be mindful of any potential risks when trading online. For example, markets.com is fully regulated and controlled for maximum security and safety while you trade.




 

What are ETFs?

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are a type of security that tracks a basket of underlying assets, like stocks, bonds, or commodities. They can provide diversification and lower costs compared to other investment types. ETFs are traded on stock exchanges and offer more liquidity than traditional investments.

How do ETFs work?
In trading, Exchange-Traded Funds or ETFs, combine the features of funds and equities into one instrument. Like other investment funds, they group together various assets, such as stocks or commodities. This helps the ETF track the value of its underlying market as closely as possible.

ETFs can be useful in diversifying trading portfolios, or for active trader, they can be used to make use of price movements. ETFs are traded on an exchange like shares or stocks, traders can also take "short" or "long" positions. CFD trading on ETFs enables traders to sell or buy an ETF they don't actually own to make use of price movements, and not a lot of money is needed to start trading in ETFs.

How much money do you need to start trading ETFs?
The minimum amount you need to start trading ETFs depends on the brokerage you are using, the minimum amount to deposit for markets.com is the equivalent of 100 in the following currencies: USD, EUR and GBP.