Leveraged products are trading derivatives that allow traders to speculate on underlying assets with a larger position size by depositing a small initial investment, known as margin. These products are popular among beginner traders due to their ease of use, wide range of markets, accessibility, and profit potential1. Here's a breakdown of what leverage products are and how they work:
- Understanding Leverage: Leverage in trading enables you to open a position worth much more than the money you deposit, typically by borrowing funds from your broker. For example, you might be able to multiply your position size by 5, 10, 20, or even 33 times your initial outlay2.
- Types of Leverage Products: Leveraged products can take various forms, including Forex Futures, CFDs (Contract for Differences), Options, Financial Spread betting, Cryptocurrency, Binary options, and ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) with leverage ratios1.
- How Leverage Works: When you trade with leverage, you only need to put down a fraction of the full trade’s value upfront, and the rest is loaned by your broker. This means you can control a much larger position than your deposit value. While this amplifies potential profits, it also increases losses, as all losses are magnified by the leverage ratio2.
- Characteristics of Leverage Products: These products offer high risk and high reward potential. They are suitable for traders who can manage risk, as they require strict risk management techniques to avoid large losses. Leverage products are particularly vulnerable to margin calls and liquidations1.
- Leverage in Different Markets: Leverage products are available across various markets, such as stock indices, commodities, national currencies, and cryptocurrencies. They allow retail clients to trade the same assets as institutional investors but with smaller capital and higher risk1.
In conclusion, leverage products are trading derivatives that enable traders to gain exposure to markets with a smaller initial investment, amplified by borrowed funds. While they offer the potential for high returns, they also come with increased risk and require careful management to avoid large losses.