subject: Spread Betting Comparison: IG Index versus ETX Capital [print this page] Spread Betting Comparison: IG Index versus ETX Capital
IG Index were the first spread betting provider to launch many years ago. They still lead by market share and have the best trading platform - overall and also offer PDA, mobile and iPhone dealing.
IG Index also list lots of AIM and small cap stocks. Another pro is that they do lots of far months, for instance, now you can trade March, June, Sept. Some spread betting don't offer the September far month for instance; heck CMC Markets even discontinued the futures contracts sometime ago!
The margins are also competitive. There are lots of good reasons. The real question is why choose ETX Capital? Perhaps because they have better spreads on some markets?
I have a credit account with IG Index so don't need to have funds on account. To be eligible for a credit account you need to show IG evidence of sufficient liquid funds. A credit account is handy as you don't have to constantly make margin payments but beware that if your account is substantially in the red, they will still want you to cover quickly! In the main I don't make use of the limited risk account or guaranteed stop loss facilities.
In any case as far as spread differences go, this is one area to consider. It is useful to phone up IG Index and ETX Capital and request price for the same stock. There won't be much difference but it's worth checking anyway since the size of the bid-offer spread is the main cost in spread betting.
Just keep in mind that in a very fast market, your order may be re-quoted and although spread trading companies deny reading customer positions (i.e. wanting you to lose more before closing out), slippage can be an issue. But if closings are 'sticky', simply close over the phone.
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