In plain English
What Commodity CFD means
Commodity CFDs provide price exposure through a provider’s over-the-counter contract. The reference may be a cash price, a commodity futures contract or another stated benchmark. Contract specifications determine how much a one-point or one-tick movement is worth, whether the contract expires, and whether overnight financing or rollover adjustments apply. Those details can materially affect results even when the commodity price is unchanged.
Why it matters
Physical commodities and commodity CFDs have very different obligations. A CFD does not involve storing, insuring or delivering barrels, metals or crops, but it can still move sharply when supply, weather, geopolitics, inventories or futures-market conditions change. Leveraged exposure means a relatively small price movement can create a substantial gain or loss relative to margin posted.
Example
Assume a gold CFD is quoted at $2,300.0 per ounce and its contract size is 1 ounce. A client buys 10 CFDs, creating $23,000 of notional exposure. If the quoted price rises to $2,310.0, the simplified gain is 10 × $10 = $100. If it falls by $10, the simplified loss is $100, before charges.
Quick answers
Common questions
Can a Commodity CFD require physical delivery?+
Retail commodity CFDs are generally cash-settled contracts with the provider rather than arrangements for physical delivery. The exact settlement method is set out in the provider’s contract specification.
Is a commodity cash CFD the same as a commodity futures CFD?+
No. A cash CFD generally references a current or near-current price, while a futures CFD references a specified futures contract. The latter has an expiry cycle and may reflect carrying costs and market expectations.
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