What is a CFD?
AContract for Difference (CFD) is a contract between two parties to exchange the difference in the price of an security from the open and close of a contract. CFDs are a leveraged product and require a trader to deposit a fraction of the total value of the position (known as margin) to open a position. The profit or loss of the trade is based on the total value of the position allowing you to gain increased exposure to the market with a lower capital outlay.
What is a margin?
A margin is a deposit used as collateral to fund a CFD position. First Prudential Markets have determined a margin rate for each security we offer which is expressed as a percentage and is determined by the liquidity and volatility of the underlying security. The margin requirement of a CFD position will be adjusted to reflect any changes in the price of the underlying security.
Calculating an Initial Margin
You wish to buy 2,000 Share CFDs at $10.00
The Share CFD has a 5% margin requirement
2,000 x $10.00 = A$20,000 (this is the total value of the trade)
A$20,000 x 5% = $1,000
$1,000 is the initial margin requirement for this trade.