Index trade example - the US SP 500

We quote the US SP 500 at 1270.7/1271.1 and you believe that the US SP 500 will rise.

This is how your investment in CFD indices might look ...

Opening position


Buy price (US$) 1,271.10
Number of underlying contracts 20
Value of position (US$) 25,422.00
Margin required @ 100:1 leverage (US$) 254.22
   
Total outlay (US$) 254.22

Closing position - if the market rises


After two days, the US SP 500 price rises to 1275.6, at which point you decide to sell the underlying contracts.

Sell price (US$)  1,275.60
Gross profit (US$)  90.00
Overnight financing (2 days) (US$)  (6.36)
Net profit (US$)  83.64
   
Return on investment  33%

Closing position - if the market falls


However, if the sell price moves in the opposite direction you will realize a gross loss.

Sell price (US$)  1,251.90
Gross loss (US$)  (384.00)
Overnight financing (2 days) (US$)  (6.36)
 Net loss (US$)  (390.36)
   
Return on investment  -154%

Financing charge: this is the daily debit or credit to a trading account based on positions held open at 17:00 Eastern Time (US). Based on this automatic rollover, funds are subtracted or added to your account in respect to open positions. Please see our Rollover & Interest Policy for more details.


Forex and CFD trading carry a substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors. Please refer to our Risk Warning policy (PDF) for more information.