Spread Betting Tutorial

Written By

Christian Harris

Written By

Christian Harris

Christian is a seasoned journalist with decades of experience. He transitioned from tech journalism to finance to follow his interest in investing. He has been trading stocks, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies for more than 5 years, becoming an eToro Popular Investor. With hands-on expertise across various assets, he offers valuable trading insights.

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Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

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Fact Checked By

William Berg

Fact Checked By

William Berg

William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.

» William Berg Profile Page

Updated

Oct 2, 2024

Spread betting is a high-risk, high-reward way to speculate on the financial markets. This guide covers everything you need to get started, from explaining spread betting basics to understanding the tax benefits.

Best Spread Betting Brokers

What Is Spread Betting?

Spread betting is a trading method where you speculate on the price movement of financial assets, such as stocks, commodities, or forex, without owning the underlying assets.

Unlike traditional stock trading, where you buy and own shares, spread betting involves making bets on whether an asset’s price will rise (buying) or fall (selling).

In spread betting, you place a bet on the spread, which is the difference between the buying (bid) price and the selling (ask) price of the asset. You profit or incur losses based on the extent to which your prediction is correct, and your stake size determines the magnitude of your gains or losses.

Spread betting typically involves leverage, allowing you to control a more extensive position with a smaller initial investment. While this can magnify profits, it also escalates potential losses.

The cost of initiating your trade is typically integrated into the spread. As a result, the spread entails buying slightly above the market price and selling slightly below it.

Take the FTSE 100, for example, with a spread of 1 point. This signifies that the buy price is situated 0.5 points higher than the current market price, and the sell price is 0.5 points below. Within this 1-point spread, your broker’s fees for opening and closing your position are encompassed.

In some countries, such as the UK, spread betting offers tax advantages over traditional trading methods.

However, the high level of risk involved, coupled with the use of leverage, means that it’s crucial to understand the markets you’re trading in, employ effective risk management strategies, and be aware of the local regulatory and tax implications.

Christian Harris

Author

What Markets Can You Spread Bet On?

Spread betting allows you to speculate on the price movements of a wide range of financial markets. The markets available for spread betting can vary depending on the spread betting provider and the regulations in your region, but typically include:

• Stocks: You can spread bet on individual company stocks, such as Apple or Meta, by betting on whether their prices will rise or fall.
• Indices: Major stock market indices including the S&P 500 or Nasdaq 100 can be traded through spread betting.
• Currencies: The forex market offers opportunities to spread bet on currency pairs, such as EUR/USD or GBP/JPY.
• Commodities: This includes assets like gold, oil, and agricultural products. You can speculate on whether their prices will go up or down.
• Bonds: Some platforms offer spread betting on government bonds and other fixed-income securities.
• Cryptocurrencies: With the rise of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, some spread betting providers offer the ability to bet on their price movements.
• Interest Rates: You can place spread bets on interest rates, including short-term interest rates or government bond yields.
• Options And Futures: Some providers allow you to speculate on the future prices of financial derivatives.
• Sectors: Rather than betting on individual stocks, you can spread bet on entire sectors, like technology, energy, or healthcare.
• Volatility Indices: Some platforms offer spread betting on indices that measure market volatility, including the VIX.

Spread Betting Vs CFD Trading

Spread betting and contracts for difference (CFDs) are both forms of derivative trading, but they have some key differences:

Market Access

Spread betting typically offers access to a wide range of financial markets, including stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, and more.

CFD trading similarly offers access to a variety of financial markets, such as stocks, indices, forex, and commodities.

Ownership Of Assets

In spread betting, you do not own the underlying assets. You are speculating on the price movement of the asset without owning it.

CFD trading also does not involve ownership of the underlying asset. It is a contract between you and the CFD provider to exchange the difference in price between the asset’s opening and closing prices.

Trading Mechanics

In spread betting, you bet a certain amount per point move in the asset’s price, and the profit or loss is determined by the number of points the price moves in your favor or against you.

In CFD trading, you enter into a contract with a CFD provider to exchange the difference in the price of the underlying asset between the contract’s opening and closing. Profit or loss is calculated based on the change in price.

Taxation

In some countries, spread betting is treated as a form of gambling and is typically tax-exempt. Profits made from spread betting are not generally subject to capital gains tax or stamp duty. However, it may not be available in all countries.

CFD trading is generally subject to capital gains tax or other relevant taxes, depending on your jurisdiction.

Regulation

Both spread betting and CFD trading are subject to regulation in many countries. Regulatory standards are in place to protect traders and ensure fair trading practices.

Spread Betting Vs Stock Trading

The choice between spread betting and stock trading depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and the specific tax and regulatory environment in your jurisdiction.

Spread betting is often favored for its tax advantages and flexibility in trading various markets, while stock trading provides ownership of assets and potential dividends but may come with tax implications.

Spread betting and stock trading differ in several key ways:

Ownership Of Assets

In spread betting, you do not own the underlying assets (e.g., stocks). Instead, you are placing a bet on the price movement of shares.

In stock trading, when you buy shares of a company, you own a portion of that company, with the associated rights and responsibilities, such as voting rights and dividend eligibility.

Tax Treatment

In some regions, spread betting is considered a form of gambling, and any profits made from spread betting are typically tax-exempt. This can make it a tax-efficient option for certain traders.

In stock trading, profits are often subject to capital gains tax, and you may also incur other taxes and fees depending on your jurisdiction.

Leverage

Spread betting often involves the use of leverage, which allows you to control larger positions with a relatively small amount of capital. This leverage can amplify both gains and losses.

Stock trading typically does not involve the same level of leverage. You usually need to invest the full amount to purchase shares, although some brokers do allow the purchasing of fractional shares.

Regulation

Spread betting is regulated in many countries, with rules and standards set by relevant financial authorities.

Stock trading is also highly regulated, with rules and regulations set by stock exchanges and government agencies.

Market Access

Spread betting allows you to speculate on a wide range of financial markets, including stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, and more.

Stock trading involves buying and selling shares of individual companies listed on stock exchanges.

Dividends And Voting Rights

In stock trading, as a shareholder, you may be entitled to receive dividends and have a say in company decisions through voting rights.

In spread betting, you do not have such rights because you do not own the underlying stocks.

Pros & Cons Of Spread Betting

Pros

Cons

How To Start Spread Betting

Let’s go through a detailed example of making a spread bet on oil. Note that this is a simplified illustration, and actual trading involves more complexities and risks.

Step 1: Research And Analysis

Before making a spread bet, conduct thorough research and analysis to understand the market and asset you want to trade. This includes studying the market trends, news, and any other relevant information.

In this example, you believe that oil’s price is going to increase.

Step 2: Choose A Broker

Select a top spread betting platform that offers access to the financial markets you want to speculate on.

You can then create an account with the spread betting provider. This involves providing personal information, verifying your identity, and depositing funds into your trading account.

Step 3: Place The Bet

Considering that you have a bullish outlook on the price of oil and expect it to rise, you initiate a ‘Buy’ trade with a stake of £2 per point. Under this arrangement, for every point that the price of oil climbs, you’ll gain £2. Conversely, if the price of oil drops, you’ll incur a £2 loss for every point of descent.

The ultimate determination of your profit or loss occurs when you decide to close your position. For example, if the price of oil has surged by 50 points since your initial purchase, your profit would amount to (£2 per point x 50 points) £100. Conversely, if the price had declined by 50 points, you would face a loss of £100.

After closing the position, review your spread bet trade, and assess what went well and what could have been done differently. This analysis can help you improve your trading strategy for future spread betting trading.

Taxes

The tax treatment of spread betting depends on the country and its tax laws. In some countries, such as the UK, spread betting is considered a form of gambling, and any profits made from spread betting are normally tax-exempt. This can make spread betting a tax-efficient option.

In the usual investment scenario, realizing a profit involves selling your security such as shares, and any earnings are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duty, with the total tax dependent on your capital level and earnings.

However, spread betting works differently since you never take actual ownership of assets. When you close your spread betting position, the profits you earn are entirely yours, free from tax obligations.

For instance, let’s consider you purchased 1,000 shares in a company at £1 each and then closed your position when the share price reaches £1.60, resulting in a profit of £600.

If we assume a CGT rate of 20% and a 0.5% stamp duty, the total tax liability would be 20.5%, equivalent to £123, leaving you with £477.

In contrast, if you executed the same trade as a spread bet, your £600 profit would remain entirely tax-free.

Tax laws can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another, and they may change over time.

Therefore, I recommend consulting with a tax advisor or financial professional who is knowledgeable about the specific tax regulations in your country to understand how spread betting is treated for tax purposes.

Christian Harris

Author

Terminology

Below is a spread betting glossary, where you will find a breakdown of all the essential jargon.

• Bet size – This decides how much you will stand to make or lose for every point of movement in the price of your market. It is also known as stake size.
• Spread/Bid/Offer spread – The financial spread is the difference between the buy and sell price for a particular bet. The spread will usually be based on live market data.
• Controlled risk bet – This is when you limit your maximum loss through a guaranteed stop. This could be triggered by a major news event, for example. This will prevent you from suffering a much larger than expected loss. You will normally pay a premium to place a controlled risk bet.
• Down bet – This is when you place a spread bet with the anticipation a price will fall for a financial instrument. For example, if you believe the price of aluminium is going to plummet, you’d place a sell bet at the bid price.
• Up bet – You’ll place an up bet on a market when you think the price will climb. For example, you’d place an up bet in the UK FTSE 100 or 250 market if you think the FTSE price will rise. You will buy at the ‘ask’ price, which is the higher price of the quoted spread.
• Expiration – The expiry date is when the bet will close. On expiration, your bets will be settled at the relevant closing price and specified time.
• NMS (Normal Market Size) – Today it is more commonly known as Exchange Market Size and represents the exchange-specified quantity of shares that a spread betting market maker is compelled to quote a two on, in a certain underlying market.
• Slippage – This represents the difference between the level of a stop order and the actual price it is executed. Slippage can take place during periods of high volatility. A guaranteed stop is an effective way to prevent slippage.

Bottom Line

Spread betting effectively reduces the financial entry barrier for beginner traders and provides a diverse alternative market. While the allure and risks of excessive leverage remain a prominent concern in spread betting, the modest initial capital requirement, the availability of risk management tools, and tax advantages render it an attractive option for speculators.

Use our rankings of the best spread betting brokers to get started.

FAQ

How Does Spread Betting Trading Work?

Spread betting is a trading product where you speculate on the price movement of various assets, such as stocks, commodities, or currencies, without owning the underlying assets.

It involves making bets on whether the price of an asset will rise or fall, with profits or losses determined by the accuracy of the prediction.

What Is The Difference Between Spread Betting And CFDs?

Spread betting and CFDs are leveraged financial instruments that allow you to speculate on the price fluctuations of financial markets, but they employ distinct mechanisms.

In spread betting, you place a wager by staking a specific amount per point based on your market prediction, while CFDs involve trading contracts that entail exchanging the price difference of an asset from the moment you initiate the position to when you terminate it.

What Countries Allow Spread Betting?

The UK and Ireland are well-known for offering spread betting, and it is a popular form of trading in these countries. However, spread betting is also available in some other countries, including Australia and South Africa, where it is regulated.

The availability and regulation of spread betting can vary, and it is not currently permitted in the United States.

Is Spread Betting More Profitable Than Stock Trading?

The profitability of spread betting versus stock trading depends on individual trading strategies, market conditions, and risk management.

While spread betting offers tax advantages and the potential for leverage, it also carries higher risks.

How Are Spread Bets Taxed?

This depends on the country. Spread bets are exempt from capital gains tax in the UK, for example, which means you’re not liable for tax on your profits, unlike in traditional share dealing. Additionally, there’s no stamp duty to be paid.

With that said, tax laws can vary depending on your trading frequency and profitability.

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