CFD Trading Strategies
Effective use of CFD trading strategies can make or break a trader’s profits. Speculating with no strategy leaves you vulnerable to losing all your capital quickly. This guide will explain what a CFD strategy is and how one works, before running through some of the best strategies and tips for traders at every level of their learning journey.
Best CFD Trading Brokers
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1
DNA Markets
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$1000.01 Lots1:500ASICCFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, CryptoMT4, MT5Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, BPAY, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin Payments, Bitwallet, AstroPay, MastercardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD -
2
IGForex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$00.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOBCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread BettingWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentralPayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD -
3
IQCent20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$250$0.011:500IFMRRCBinary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, CryptoOnline Platform, TradingViewCredit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, MastercardUSD, EUR -
4
RedMars
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
€2500.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)CySECCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, CryptosMT5Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Sticpay, FasaPay, Bitcoin Payments, Trustly, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Mastercard, VisaUSD, EUR -
5
Interactive Brokers
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$0$1001:50FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMAStocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, CryptocurrenciesTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentralCheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF -
6
Videforex20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
$250$0.011:500Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, CryptoTradingViewSkrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB -
7
xChief$100 No Deposit Bonus
$100.01 Lots1:1000VFSCCFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, IndicesMT4, MT5Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Credit Card, UnionPay, Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Debit Card, Ethereum Payments, FasaPay, VoletUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF -
8
Axofa10% Deposit Bonus
$10.01 Lots1:1000SVGFSAForex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, CommoditiesMT5Debit Card, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Bitcoin Payments, Wire TransferUSD, IDR -
9
Sage FX$1,500 trading competition
$100.01 Lots1:500PendingForex, indices, cryptosTradeLockerCredit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD -
10
Plexytrade120% Cash Welcome Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$500.011:2000UnregulatedCFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, CryptoMT4, MT5Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR
Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers:
- DNA Markets - DNA Markets offers a recently enhanced suite of 800+ CFDs covering stocks, indices, forex, commodities and cryptos, providing opportunities to speculate on rising and falling prices. There are no restrictions on strategies with leverage up to 1:30 (Australia) or 1:500 (rest of world).
- IG - IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
- IQCent - CFDs are available on forex, indices, commodities and cryptos, although the range of 100+ instruments is limited compared to alternatives such as Quotex with 400+. Leverage is available up to 1:500 but the $250 minimum deposit is noticeably higher than competitors.
- RedMars - RedMars caters to various short-term trading styles across popular asset classes, including 7 commodities, 14 indices, and 120+ stocks. Leverage is available up to 1:30 (retail) and 1:500 (pro), amplifying results. However, there is no calculator to help with understanding margin requirements and the depth of investments is limited.
- Interactive Brokers - Over 8,000 CFDs are offered on a vast array of instruments, encompassing stocks, indices, forex, and commodities. Moreover, the TWS platform lends itself to seasoned day traders, offering a comprehensive selection of over 100 order types and algorithms, alongside premium market data sourced from reputable sources such as Reuters and Dow Jones.
- Videforex - Videforex CFDs are available on forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and commodities with up to 1:500 leverage and tight spreads from near zero. CFDs incur a commission fee of 1%–2.5% and up to 5% for leveraged trades.
- xChief - You can trade a competitive range of CFDs encompassing crypto, indices, energies and metals, with very high leverage up to 1:1000. ECN pricing is available, with spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $2.50. A Cent account is also available for those on a smaller budget.
- Axofa - CFDs are available on popular asset classes with a competitive $1 minimum deposit. The MT5 integration will allow serious short-term traders to utilize the vast library of technical tools, bots and indicators, but the lack of any CFD trading education puts the broker behind many alternatives.
- Sage FX - Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, metals, energies, indices, cryptos and dollar futures. Sage FX offers tight spreads and high leverage on all instruments from 1:100 to 1:500.
- Plexytrade - Plexytrade offers a modest selection of CFDs, providing opportunities to speculate on upward/downward price movements across 15 indices, 48 US stocks, 3 commodities, 4 metals, and 5 cryptos. The free margin calculator allows you to work out how much you need to put down to open and maintain leveraged positions.
CFD Trading Strategies Comparison
| Broker | CFD Leverage | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Regulators |
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1:500 | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ASIC |
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1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) | $0 | 0.01 Lots | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB |
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1:500 | $250 | $0.01 | IFMRRC |
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1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | €250 | 0.01 Lots | CySEC |
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1:50 | $0 | $100 | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA |
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1:500 | $250 | $0.01 | - |
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1:1000 | $10 | 0.01 Lots | VFSC |
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1:1000 | $1 | 0.01 Lots | SVGFSA |
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1:500 | $10 | 0.01 Lots | Pending |
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1:2000 | $50 | 0.01 | Unregulated |
DNA Markets
"DNA Markets is an excellent choice for short-term traders familiar with the MetaTrader platforms. The smooth sign-up process also makes it easy to get started while the $100 minimum deposit is accessible. That said, DNA Markets trails the top brokers in education, research and mobile trading. "
DNA Markets Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.7 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 1.0 |
| Stocks Spread | 1.0 cent + $0.02 per share, per side (Apple) |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Regulator | ASIC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD |
Pros
- The broker provides 24/5 customer support with response times of <2 minutes during testing
- Short-term trading strategies are permitted including scalping and automated trading using Expert Advisors (EAs)
- DNA Markets offers top-rate platforms and charting tools for day traders with access to MT4 and MT5
Cons
- Despite access to MT4 and MT5, there is no proprietary trading app for seamless account management whilst on the go
- Although it continues to strengthen its client base and reputation, DNA Markets lacks the track record of top brokers like Vantage
- Unlike many alternatives, there are limited educational and research tools for traders seeking an all-in-one solution
IG
"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform and best-in-class education for beginners, plus advanced charting tools, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IG Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.0 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.9 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.02 |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB |
| Platforms | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust
- IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, providing ample diversification opportunities
- The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for day trading
Cons
- While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
- Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
IQCent
"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
IQCent Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 1.4 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.8 |
| Stocks Spread | N/A |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Regulator | IFMRRC |
| Platforms | Online Platform, TradingView |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- The proprietary terminal offers TradingView-powered charts which deliver dozens of technical indicators and studies
- The broker offers up to 98% payouts on binary options, which is more than alternatives like Pocket Option, only offering up to 92%
- Keen traders can take part in trading contests with cash prizes
Cons
- There's no automated trading support for algo traders
- IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
- The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts
RedMars
"RedMars is the best fit for experienced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader 5 platform and based in the EU, where the broker is authorized by the CySEC. However, the threadbare education and research tools make it unsuitable for beginners."
RedMars Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 15 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.7 |
| Stocks Spread | Variable |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
| Regulator | CySEC |
| Platforms | MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- Getting started on RedMars is incredibly easy - you can be up and running in just a few minutes based on tests
- RedMars offers one of the best platforms for day trading, MT5, hosting 21 timeframes, dozens of analytical tools, flexible templates and algo trading
- Clients in the EU, in particular, can trade with peace of mind knowing RedMars is authorized by the CySEC with up to €20K compensation available through the ICF in the event of bankruptcy
Cons
- RedMars falls short for newer traders, with little in the way of education, no beginner-friendly platform, a steep minimum deposit, and inadequate support during testing
- While RedMars' spreads are within industry averages, they don't offer a significant edge over the cheapest day trading brokers we've personally used, notably IC Markets
- The no-frills trading environment offers little beyond the basics, with no Islamic account, PAMM account or copy trading.
Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 0.005% (£1 Min) |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value |
| Stocks Spread | 0.003 |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
- While primarily geared towards experienced traders, IBKR has made moves to broaden its appeal in recent years, reducing its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
Cons
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
Videforex
"Newer traders will find a lot to enjoy about trading binary options on Videforex's easy-to-use proprietary platform, as well as the broker's copy trading solution. Payouts also remain higher than most alternatives climbing to 98%."
Videforex Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | Floating from 0.2 |
| GBPUSD Spread | Floating from 0.1 |
| Stocks Spread | NA |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Platforms | TradingView |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB |
Pros
- Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering great practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders
- Global clients can make free and fast transfers via a wide range of payment types, from credit cards to cryptocurrencies
- The support times are fast and reliable based on tests - few brokers offer 24/7 multi-lingual video support
Cons
- US clients aren’t accepted due to legal restrictions
- No MetaTrader 4 integration
- The broker isn’t overseen by a trusted regulatory agency
xChief
"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."
xChief Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $100 No Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 70 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.9 |
| Stocks Spread | 50 |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | VFSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF |
Pros
- The low minimum deposit of $10 will appeal to beginners, as well as the beginners’ guides in the Library
- xChief delivers a high-quality day trading environment via the MT4 and MT5 platforms, with market-leading charts, indicators and tools
- Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service
Cons
- The Classic+ and Cent accounts provide access to fewer instruments than the other account types, at 50+ and 35+, respectively
- The total range of 150+ assets is much lower than most competitors who typically offer hundreds
- xChief is an offshore broker with weak regulatory oversight from the VFSC, so traders will receive limited safeguards
Axofa
"Axofa could be a good option for clients looking for social trading features alongside the MT5 platform. The low entry requirements and ECN spreads are particularly promising, but the lack of transparency and respected regulatory oversight raises security concerns."
Axofa Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 10% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | NA |
| GBPUSD Spread | From 1.6 pips |
| Stocks Spread | NA |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | SVGFSA |
| Platforms | MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, IDR |
Pros
- The broker offers a range of local payment methods, especially for clients in Asia, as well as crypto deposits
- Low ECN spreads are available from 0.0 pips, plus reasonable commissions at $3.50 per side
- The $1 minimum deposit across all 3 accounts will appeal to novices and those on a budget
Cons
- The offshore operations and lack of any regulatory oversight is a major concern
- There is a lack of transparency around pricing and account conditions, which significantly reduces the trust score
- Our team found inconsistencies between international subsidiaries and website information
Sage FX
"Sage FX will suit forex traders looking for high leverage and ECN spreads. The broker's prop trading service will also appeal to users looking for funded accounts with up to $200K available."
Sage FX Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $1,500 trading competition |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 5.0 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.9 |
| Stocks Spread | N/A |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Regulator | Pending |
| Platforms | TradeLocker |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- High leverage up to 1:500
- Bonus offers and trading competitions
- Prop trading accounts with multiple funding tiers
Cons
- Not regulated by any reputable body
- Lacks educational resources and other extra features
- Relatively narrow range of asset classes
Plexytrade
"Plexytrade is a newcomer in the brokerage scene with attention-grabbing features like 1:2000 leverage, zero spreads on select instruments and fast execution speeds of less than 46 milliseconds. However, the absence of regulation is a significant concern, while the non-existent research and educational tools place it far behind industry frontrunners."
Plexytrade Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 120% Cash Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 0.8 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.8 |
| Stocks Spread | 5 |
| Leverage | 1:2000 |
| Regulator | Unregulated |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- Despite lacking regulation, Plexytrade provides negative balance protection and reinforces safety protocols by holding client funds in segregated accounts.
- There are various VPS packages starting from $50 per month, but they become complimentary once specific deposit thresholds are reached.
- US residents are accepted as clients, distinguishing Plexytrade as one of the rare offshore brokers that cater to US-based traders.
Cons
- There are no research and educational materials, falling short of alternatives like IG, while access to the economic calendar is restricted to clients with balances of $500.
- Plexytrade lacks regulation in major jurisdictions, significantly increasing the risks of opening an account and depositing funds.
- There are no social or copy trading features for inexperienced traders to replicate the trades of more experienced investors, trailing category leaders like eToro.
What Is A CFD Trading Strategy?
Firstly, a CFD is a contract-for-difference, a financial derivative product that allows investors to speculate on the price movement of assets from a range of markets, including forex, commodities, indices and shares, without owning the underlying asset.
This means that you can easily take a position on rising and falling markets. CFDs are a leveraged product, which allows you to put down a small amount of money, known as a margin, and trade with a larger sum.
CFD trading strategies are essentially game plans. You can think of it as the instructions that the manager of your team would give out before a big match.
Strategies are designed to play to your trading strengths, as well as those of the market itself.
How CFD Trading Strategies Work
CFD trading strategies work by establishing a set of rules and procedures that you, the investor, must follow while trading. Some strategies can have loosely designed rules, while others are stricter.
Let’s take some CFD trading strategy examples. Rangebound (range) trading has a very defined set of rules that act mechanically, meaning they can even be programmed to run automatically.
With range trading, there are two rules to set for any CFD. When the value hits X, buy, and when the value hits Y, sell. This is one of the most straightforward trading strategies.
Another example is dividend CFD trading strategies. CFDs, like traditional shares, have the added benefit of dividend income. This is calculated at the close of trade the day before the stock’s ex-dividend date.
One strategy to use here is to go long on the shares on the day before they go ex-dividend and sell the contracts immediately afterwards.
Provided the price does not drop by the entire dividend amount, the investor stands to gain from this.
Top 5 CFD Trading Strategies
Here, we will run through some of the best and most popular CFD trading strategies and tips.
News Trading
One of the most popular CFD trading strategies, following the news involves simply following a comprehensive economic and financial calendar. This will keep you aware of upcoming events that could impact the value of the underlying asset.
This approach splits into two main CFD trading strategies, either investing before a statistics release or just after. The first option aims to try to understand and predict the reactions to the release.
This is the riskier of the two approaches as it can be difficult to know how the market will respond, though investors stand to make a larger profit this way.
The second option is to go with the flow and trade after the statistic or news release. This way, you can see initially which way the market moves in reaction to the release and follow it.
There are still risks with this method as prices can rapidly change direction, therefore it is important to implement stop loss and take profit orders when trading to protect your capital.
Technical Analysis Trading
Using technical analysis is the foundation of many CFD trading strategies, each with its own combination of indicators and graphical tools.
The approach involves studying available historical data and charts to make analytical predictions. The key here is to make a note of all past trends.
If you are a day trader, look at the daily and intra-day charts. If you are going to hold for longer, study 3-month to year-long charts instead.
Setting up useful indicators can be a massive help with technical analysis CFD trading strategies. Investors can set support levels that are equal to established lows and resistance levels that are equal to established highs.
Trends
Trend lines are another simple and easy indicator to use. These involve drawing a straight line between two points on your chart.
To show an increasing trend, draw a line between two lows and to show a decreasing trend, draw a line between two peaks. Once a trend line has been touched three times, it has been validated.
Another indicator to help your technical analysis CFD trading strategies is the oscillator. Oscillators indicate overbought or oversold conditions in markets. They show whether the asset has either risen or fallen too far and that a change is imminent.
Using all these indicators combined with the study of historical data is one of the most popular CFD trading strategies.
Pair Trading
Pair trading is one of the more popular CFD trading strategies for stocks, although it can also be used with currencies and commodities.
This strategy can be used with both high or low market volatility and the direction of movement is not important.
Pair trading involves investing in two CFDs that are within the same industry, one with a long position and one with a short.
Correlation is essential, measuring the relationship between the price movements of the two assets. The two assets need to be those that are usually highly correlated but have started to become less correlated.
With pair-focused CFD trading strategies, investors take advantage of the divergence of the asset’s values. The first thing is to decide which is the weaker asset and which is stronger.
Then, open a short position on the stronger asset and go long on the weaker asset. The direction of the market does not matter, as you will be winning with one position and losing with the other.
Profit is based on the relative movement of the assets, so the more they diverge, the more you win.
Hedging
Hedging is slightly different from other CFD trading strategies, it is more like a form of insurance.
This strategy works best when you already have a diverse portfolio of stocks or CFDs that you are holding for the long term. Investors often use hedging to protect against short term drops in value.
Let’s say an investor owns Pfizer stocks. They believe that the sector is weakening and the value of the stocks is going to fall. They do not want to sell their Pfizer stocks to protect against this, as they believe in them for the longer term.
Instead, the investor opens a short position on a CFD for Pfizer stocks. This way, you will benefit from the short-term decrease in the stock value without losing the asset.
Hedging is often used in conjunction with other, primary CFD trading strategies.
Check your broker allows hedging prior to trading.
Swing Trading
The CFD swing trading strategy is all about finding markets that are trending. Focus on markets that are trending in a specific direction. This allows investors to find assets that have the potential to move by large amounts in a short space of time.
These CFD trading strategies combine well with technical analysis. The indicators described earlier can be used to indicate strong trends.
Additionally, resistance levels can show the right time to get out of a trade and take your profit. Oscillators could indicate the peak has been reached and that the trend is about to reverse, allowing you to get ahead of the game.
CFD Trading Strategies For Specific Assets
Oil
CFD trading strategies for oil are numerous but a relatively simple one is a combination of the RSI and CCI indicators. The former will help suggest when an asset is overbought or oversold, while the latter aims to find cyclical trends.
One approach with these is to wait until the RSI demonstrates an overbought condition for a prolonged period, indicating a bullish market.
The next step is slightly counterintuitive and involves waiting for a reset, where the RSI drops down and shows an oversold condition.
To confirm the bullish sentiment, though, ensure that the CCI indicator remains above zero, preferably above 100. When this all comes together, go long on the CFD.
As with all robust CFD trading strategies, you need to place protective measures, in this case in the form of stop losses.
Check the asset value at the last time it was shown to be oversold and place a stop loss here. You should exit the position either at the end of the day or if the CCI drops below zero, demonstrating a new cycle.
Indices
Popular among indices CFD trading strategies is momentum trading, which involves identifying a trend and jumping on the bandwagon. Indices are great for this strategy as it lends itself best to liquid assets, those with a high trading volume.
Momentum trading can be similar to news trading the latter is a great way to inform the beginning of a trend for the former. When a major news announcement is released, it can cause short-term volatility and a persisting longer-term trend, which momentum traders would identify and follow.
Gold
With gold CFD trading strategies, historical data is key. Gold value follows a strong yearly trend, the price tends to rally in January, February, August, September, November and December. Therefore, it is often best to purchase gold CFDs during these periods.
If the price of gold is trading at support in January (the previous low), go long. If the price has rallied, wait until it breaks above resistance to go long. Following this, place stop-loss orders just below the last low swing. Now, hold until the end of February or until you are ready to take your profit. Move the stop-loss up to the most recent low each time.
Stocks
Almost any CFD trading strategies can be applied to stocks. If you hold a diverse portfolio, hedging could benefit you the most. Otherwise, pair trading might be an effective way to trade with less risk, as the direction of movement is not important. Check out our trading strategies page for more.
Final Word On CFD Trading Strategies
CFD trading strategies are the foundation of a successful day trader, all the self-proclaimed forex and CFD millionaires will have strict ones they follow. A good strategy will not only provide good predictions for entering positions, but it will also carefully manage the position’s risk and inform trailing stop or exit positions.
FAQs
What Is A CFD?
A CFD is a contract-for-difference. It is a derivative product that allows you to speculate on the price movement of an asset without having to own the underlying asset.
What Are The Top CFD Trading Strategies For Beginners?
There is no clear answer to this question, each strategy depends on the trader and asset being speculated upon. However, it is often best to start with those that are easier to understand and pick up, like news trading or swing trading.
Do You Own The Underlying Asset When Buying CFDs?
No, you do not. With CFDs, you only speculate on the price movement of an asset and earn profit based on this.
What Are The Best CFD Trading Strategies?
There is no simple answer to this. Each strategy has different benefits and suits different styles and assets, read through them all to figure out which is best for you and trial a few out using demo accounts.
Where Can I Learn More About CFD Trading Strategies?
There are CFD trading strategies books available to help you learn further information about strategies. Equally, the internet is filled with PDFs, videos and more to teach you. We also have a dedicated strategies page for more information on other approaches not specific to CFDs.