Commodities Trading

Spread betting is a risky game of trading in which you can lose more than you have in your account. That's because of leverage. Every time you buy or sell a market, you just need a small fraction of your total trade – a margin, which can be as low as 1-2%. If the market goes against you quickly, then you could be in trouble. That's what most people think – but are they correct? Spread betting has in fact some risks, and losing more than what you have in your account is a real possibility, but depending on your provider and on the type of trades you carry, it can be a really low one. Before going broke, there is a margin call trigger, in which most providers will automatically start closing positions you have in your account until the margin is again satisfied.

The pictures and stories from Japan have shocked us all. The human aspect of this country’s struggle to cope with the earthquake and tsunami tugs at our hearts. The same applies to those in Middle Eastern countries crying out for freedom and democracy only to be responded to with bullets and bombs. While the human factor is not to be taken lightly, the economic consequences are making the most headlines. These headlines helped to bring back some market volatility that reminded me somewhat of 2008. The markets pulled back and rebounded from the news in Japan, Egypt and Libya relatively quickly. However, the indicators that track investor confidence tell us that investors are becoming more nervous about the future. What is the individual investor to do in these volatile times? I would urge you to do nothing IF your portfolio is properly allocated. Why? Investors tend to do poorly when they react to what the market does instead of preparing...