Financial Spread Betting?

Financial Spread Betting?

Author
Discussion

MR DVD

Original Poster:

62 posts

265 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2005
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Thinking of having a dabble on the markets, anyone had any good/bad experiences?

bigbaddom

505 posts

241 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2005
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No experience,
but I wouldnt advise you to do it.
The reason for this advice is that people who work for investment banks are not even permitted to spread bet, as it would make the company look "amatuerish".
Even tho this is what most investment banks do all day, obviously in a different format.
They calculate the risk. This however is only risk.
IMHO

bigandclever

13,949 posts

245 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2005
quotequote all
Would this be a dabble in the sense that you have an understanding of the inner workings of the markets? Or in a 'how hard can it be?' kind of way?

I tried my hand with CityIndex a couple of years ago for about 3 months. I was rubbish, and lost a couple of grand. To quote someone or other "The Street is full of victims who didn't know how and couldn't wait to learn". I followed computer models too closely - most pro traders can expect to make 6 loss deals against 4 win deals. I was running at 9 loss against 1 win.

Can't really fault the CityIndex service though, but things have no doubt moved on since then. There is a trading simulator as well (think you get 10k virtual money to play with), but no doubt you'll need to register.

www.financial-spread-betting.com was a useful source of info for me. Shame it didn't have a section called "Do this and make a fortune"

vixpy1

42,676 posts

271 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2005
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Think very very risky.. then add more risk..

You can make or lose a fortune very very quickly and there's not tax!

rico

7,916 posts

262 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2005
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A few months back i had a few grand to play with and was recommended to do spread betting.

It's VERY easy to be tempted by the thought of making a HUGE profit.

The downside is there is just as big a chance at making a HUGE loss.

In the end i chickened out and invested the money in my company. That money is now worth more and the company is stronger for the input.

If you've got a grand to chuck away... give it a shot... you never know

MR DVD

Original Poster:

62 posts

265 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2005
quotequote all

Many thanks for the replies guys, I've been in the financial sector for some years so have a fair understanding of the markets, as has been said it is a risky pastime however that's what appeals. I feel first point of call is to get my head in the books and do some serious studying...