Contracts for Difference: The Simplest Derivative in the Financial Market

Contracts for difference or CFDs are derivatives that may refer to underlying assets such as stocks, forex, indices or any other financial instrument. Although similar to some other derivative products available for trading, contracts for difference are slightly different.

Contracts for difference refer to agreement between a buyer and seller stipulating that the seller will pay the buyer, or receive as the case may be, the difference between the current value of the contract and the value at the time the contract was made. The purpose is to allow traders to speculate on price movement; there is no commitment as to actual delivery of the underlying asset. Traders can benefit from downward price movements as well by going short or sell CFDs as prior ownership is not an issue.

It can be said that most of the features of contracts for difference mimic the features of derivative products such as call and put options and futures. However, there are some basic differences that need to be understood. Options involve attaining the right (although not the obligation) to buy the underlying asset at a fixed price at a later date. CFDs do not give this right to a buyer.

However, the biggest difference is with time value. The value of options decays with time. The time premium reduces as the expiry date approaches near. It is not the case with contracts for difference as they mirror the price of the underlying asset. It is this simplicity of pricing that makes CFDs more popular than other derivatives. Add the ability to employ leverage and you have the simplest derivative in the financial market.

Reducing the Risk of Contracts for Difference

Every kind of investment carries with it some kind or amount of risk and Contracts For Difference are no exception. In fact, they could be considered as a high risk investment because you can easily lose more than you invest. However, there are ways to mitigate this risk somewhat and one particular way is to use what is known as a Stop Loss Order.

The Stop Loss Order can be set to whatever you choose. For instance you may buy cfds at $3.00 each and set the Stop Loss Order at $2.60. A stop loss order signals the cfd provider to close your position so that you do not sustain further loss. Unfortunately such stop loss orders can be slow in going through if there is a rush of like orders. And in the case of a dramatic and quick fall where liquidity is in short supply, you may still lose a great deal more than you intended. This is more of a problem on equity prices than indices and currencies that usually experience very active trading.

However you can also have what is known as a Guaranteed Stop Loss Order (GSLO), if your cfd provider offers it. You have to pay an additional charge for this benefit and there are certain restrictions imposed, but it is better than being subject to large losses if the market moves against your plan. So if you are planning to get into investing with cfds it is wise to find out all about how you can best reduce the risks inherent in such a product.