Educational Articles

Knowledge Base

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

How Does Sports Betting Compare to CFD Trading?

With sports betting more accessible than ever and financial trading platforms bringing the markets to your smartphone, the two activities are increasingly discussed in the same breath. Both involve staking money on an uncertain outcome. Both offer the potential for substantial returns and equally substantial losses. But underneath the surface similarities lie some fundamental structural differences that any informed participant should understand.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

CFD Costs and Fees Explained

What Are the Costs of CFD Trading? CFD trading costs fall into two categories: trading costs that apply when you open and close a position, and holding costs that accrue if you keep a position open overnight. The main costs are the spread, overnight financing charges (swap rates), and in some cases commission. Understanding these costs upfront is essential — they directly affect your profitability and should be factored into every trading decision.

Reading time • 5 minute(s)

Iran-US Ceasefire Under Strain: Why Oil Prices Are Rising Again as Tensions Flare

Oil prices are climbing again after President Trump said the US-Iran ceasefire is "over," following retaliatory US strikes on Tuesday night after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude has jumped more than 6% this morning and is trading back above $78 a barrel, reversing much of the recent slide toward pre-war levels. While the initial announcement triggered one of the sharpest single-day moves in recent years — sending oil sharply lower and global equities higher — sentiment has since become more cautious. Oil has rebounded above $100 as supply disruptions persist and negotiations stall, highlighting how fragile the initial market reaction has been. Here’s what happened, how markets responded, and what traders are watching next. While the initial announcement triggered one of the sharpest single-day moves in recent years — sending oil sharply lower and global equities higher — markets have since stabilised, with investors now focused on whether the ceasefire will hold and what comes next. Here's what happened, how markets responded, and what traders are watching as the situation develops. Update (29 April 2026): Market sentiment has shifted in recent sessions, with oil rebounding and equities showing more mixed performance as uncertainty around negotiations persists.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

CFDs vs Spread Betting UK: What's the Difference?

What Is the Difference Between CFDs and Spread Betting? CFDs (Contracts for Difference) and spread betting are both leveraged financial derivatives that allow you to speculate on the price movement of an underlying asset without owning it. The key differences lie in how profits are taxed, how trades are sized, and how costs are applied. In the UK, spread betting profits are exempt from Capital Gains Tax, while CFD profits are subject to CGT but losses can be offset against your tax bill. Both products are available to UK retail traders and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

Keir Starmer Resigns: What It Means for GBP, Gilts and UK Markets

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on the morning of 22 June 2026, making him the UK’s sixth prime minister to leave office in under a decade. For traders and investors, the key question is not just who comes next, but what the transition means for sterling, UK government bonds, and equity markets. Published on 22/06/2026

Reading time • 3 minute(s)

England vs Croatia: Markets to Watch Ahead of the World Cup Clash

As England prepares to take on Croatia in one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, investors are keeping an eye on more than just the action on the pitch. Major sporting events often capture global attention, but they can also highlight broader market trends. From forex markets and FTSE 100 stocks to oil prices and sports-related shares, there are several investment opportunities and risks worth watching before kick-off.

Reading time • 4 minute(s)

Best Stocks to Watch During the FIFA World Cup in 2026

The FIFA World Cup is more than just the biggest event in football, it's a global economic phenomenon. The tournament attracts billions of viewers, millions of international travelers, and significant spending on merchandise, advertising, food, entertainment, and sports betting. As a result, several industries can experience increased business activity during the competition. For investors, the FIFA World Cup presents an opportunity to monitor companies that may benefit from heightened consumer engagement and global travel demand. While the tournament alone doesn't guarantee stock gains, certain sectors historically receive increased attention during major sporting events.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

A Beginner's Guide to Contracts for Difference

A CFD (Contract For Difference) is a financial derivative that allows you to gain exposure to price movements of an asset without owning it. For someone new to the term, the simplest way to think about it is this: instead of buying a share or a commodity, you make an agreement based on whether its price goes up or down - and that difference is what settles the result. Understanding how that works in practice, including what it costs and what risks it involves, is what this guide covers from the beginning. [updated June 2026]

Reading time • 12 minute(s)

CFD Trading for Beginners: How to Start Smart and Avoid Common Traps

CFD trading allows you to speculate on price movements of assets like stocks, forex, or commodities without owning them - using leverage and a regulated broker account as your entry point to the market. The mechanics are straightforward to learn, but the practical side involves costs, risk parameters, and decision habits that go well beyond simply opening a position. This guide covers what beginners need to understand before placing their first trade - and what most of them get wrong.

Reading time • 15 minute(s)

ETF Trading - What are they and how to invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

Investing in an ETF gives you the opportunity to participate in a professionally managed mutual fund and allows you to focus on a selected market sector. The popularity of investing in ETFs is currently booming and peaking among investors due to the desire to diversify investments, reduce risk, and interest in select industries or market sectors. The spike in the formation of more ETFs occurred after the pandemic, in 2020. Meanwhile, the pace of new fund creation accelerated in 2021 and the trend doesn't seem to be slowing, with the ETF market now worth more than $7 trillion USD.

Reading time • 2 minute(s)

How to Look for the Best CFD Broker

Choosing the right CFD broker is a critical first step for any trader looking to access the global financial markets. With hundreds of brokers offering similar services, it can be challenging to identify which one truly aligns with your trading goals, experience level, and risk tolerance. Whether you're a beginner seeking user-friendly tools or an experienced trader demanding tight spreads and advanced platforms, knowing what to look for is essential.

Reading time • 12 minute(s)

Energy Trading - How to invest in electricity & power?

Markets did not expect increased geopolitical tensions, deglobalisation trends, problems in supply chains and inflation to change sentiment toward energy companies. The global trend toward zero-carbon and green energy sources has also become an additional driver of positive change for the energy sector. The global energy crisis is not just rising gas or electricity prices driving inflation. It's also changing revenue expectations for companies operating in the market, from electricity or LNG suppliers to uranium producers to electric car companies. In this article below, we will identify ways, listed companies and financial instruments that can respond to improving sentiment toward the energy industry. We will answer the question: how to invest in electricity and power?

Reading time • 2 minute(s)

CFDs allow traders take position on whether the value of a financial market - for example, a share, commodity, currency pair, or stock index - will rise or fall in short, medium or long term.

Reading time • 9 minute(s)

Forex Trading - How to Invest in Forex CFDs

In this article, you will learn the importance of the FX market, the factors affecting it, and how to trade in the forex market.

Reading time • 7 minute(s)

What Is Leverage in Trading?

Every trader will probably encounter the term “financial leverage” and the option of leveraged investing sooner or later. So what is leverage in trading? What are the potential advantages of leverage and what risks does it involve? What is a margin and a margin call, and how do they relate to leverage? You will find answers to all these questions and more in this article.

Reading time • 6 minute(s)

Coffee Trading - Investing in Coffee CFDs

Coffee is one of the most popular raw materials traded by investors. What is and why is it worth investing in coffee CFD? The answers to these and other questions can be found in this article.

Reading time • 14 minute(s)

Emissions Trading - How to Invest in Carbon CO2?

Contracts on CO2 emissions have been traded for a long time, but nobody expected such an increase in popularity among retail investors. Meanwhile, the energy crisis gives hope for the continuation of this trend.

Reading time • 17 minute(s)

How to Choose the Best Forex and CFD Broker

Forex brokers are institutions that give their clients the opportunity to invest in the currency exchange market. Find out how to choose the best one for your needs in this article.

Reading time • 2 minute(s)

3 Strategies for Trading on the USFANG

In this article, we present three ways to use USFANG CFDs that are based on the NYSE FANG + index.

Reading time • 3 minute(s)

CFD (definitions)

Learn the most important definitions to know when entering the world of CFD trading. From leverage and swaps, to learning how to place take profit and stop loss orders.

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