When dealing in CFDs you get indirect access to stocks’ or indices’ price movements. In other words, you can access share price movements without ever taking delivery of the actual shares. As an investor in CFDs you will be effectively dealing on which direction the share price will go, so you can make money when the value of a share falls as well as when it rises. In addition, because CFDs are 'geared', you simply pay an initial deposit of as little as 10% of the contract value. This allows you to take a larger position than you might usually be able to and can translate into much higher profits, or indeed losses.

What is the risk level associated with CFD dealing?
CFDs carry a high level of risk to your capital and you should only deal with money you can afford to lose. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may lose significantly more than your initial margin payment. If you want to deal in CFDs you need to sign a risk warning notice.

How can I trade CFDs?
You can trade CFDs online via our Interactive Trading Platform (ITP) or you can deal over the phone by calling us on 0845 355 0803. This service is available to all Barclays Stockbrokers CFD clients.

What are the dealing hours for Barclays Stockbrokers CFDs?
The dealing hours for Barclays Stockbrokers CFDs are dependent on the opening hours of the underlying markets but please note that the major index contracts - FTSE 100, Wall St, and S&P are available between 7.00am and 9.15pm. We are also open on most UK bank holidays for restricted periods. Please refer to the Market Information sheets which can be found under Important Information for more detail.

Are commissions charged on opening and closing of CFD positions?
Yes commissions are charged on both sides of the transaction

What happens if Barclays Stockbrokers can’t locate me if they want to urgently discuss a CFD position I am holding?
Depending on the circumstances this may result in Barclays Stockbrokers CFDs closing a CFD position if there are not sufficient funds in your account. Please make sure you have familiarised yourself with our margin call procedures before opening a CFD account.

What does the term LIBOR mean?
LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) is the bank rate at which banks offer to lend money to each other compiled by the British Bankers Association. This rate is the basis for calculating overnight financing charges for CFD positions held overnight.

What is NTR?
NTR (Notional Trading Requirement) is a term used to describe the margin or deposit required to place a CFD transaction.

Do you offer guaranteed stop losses as part of the service?
These are available on limited stocks and when dealing by telephone only.

What are Stop Losses and Guaranteed Stop Losses?
A Stop Loss order allows you to set a price which if reached will automatically trigger a sell order (for long positions) or buy order (for short positions) to close your current position. This facility is available on most deals when placing a deal by telephone. A simple stop loss will be executed at the next available price at the time of dealing. A guaranteed stop loss is, as it suggests, guaranteed to be executed at the price you specify even if the underlying share never actually deals at the price you specify due to a sudden price movement. This guaranteed stop loss facility is available by phone on many leading equities and indices with Barclays Stockbroker CFDs service. There is an additional charge for this service.

What are the different types of Orders available?
Limit Buy
A limit buy order is a limit order that is set below the market to be triggered once the Barclays Stockbrokers CFDs buy price falls to your desired level. With a limit buy order, you may leave subsequent orders to be activated once the limit buy has been triggered, you may leave a linked stop loss and/or a linked limit.

It should be noted that a limit buy may close all or part of any open short position, and would open a further long position for the amount of the limit buy order that is greater than the open short position that will be closed.

Limit Sell
A limit sell order is a limit order that is set above the market to be triggered once the Barclays Stockbrokers CFDs sell price rises to your desired level. With a limit sell order, you may leave subsequent orders to be activated once the limit sell has been triggered, you may leave a linked stop loss and/or a linked limit.

It should be noted that a limit sell may close all or part of any open long position, and would open a further short position for the amount of the limit sell order that is greater than the open long position that will be closed.

You can use a limit order to do the following:
Open a new long position (Limit Buy)
Close an existing long position to achieve a profit target (Limit Sell)
Close an existing short position to achieve a profit target (Limit Buy)
Open a new short position (Limit Sell)

Stop Buy
A stop buy order is a stop order that is set above the market to be triggered once the Barclays Stockbrokers CFDs buy price rises to your desired level. With a stop buy order, you may leave subsequent orders to be activated once the stop buy has been triggered, you may leave a linked stop loss and/or a linked limit.

It should be noted that a stop buy may close all or part of any open short position, and would open a further long position for the amount of the stop buy order that is greater than the open short position that will be closed.

Stop Sell
A stop sell order is a stop order that is set below the market to be triggered once the Barclays Stockbrokers CFDs sell price falls to your desired level. With a stop sell order, you may leave subsequent orders to be activated once the stop sell has been triggered, you may leave a linked stop loss and/or a linked limit.

It should be noted that a stop sell may close all or part of any open long position, and would open a further short position for the amount of the stop sell order that is greater than the open long position that will be closed.

You can use a stop order to do the following:
Open a new long position (Stop Buy)
Close an existing long position to cap a loss (Stop Sell)
Close an existing short position to cap a loss (Stop Buy)
Open a new short position (Stop Sell)

Linked Order
A linked stop loss is a stop order that is put in place to limit the risk of a market moving against a current open position. The Linked stop loss is linked to an individual open position so that if that open position is closed, either by an opposing trade or order activation, then that order ceases to exist.

For example;
You place a trade to Buy £10 of March FTSE at 5350, and you place a linked stop loss against that position at 5300.
If that open position is closed by either an opposing trade, e.g. a sell of £10 at 5320, then the stop loss will automatically be cancelled.

If you leave a limit order to sell at 5380, and that is executed which closes the position, then the order will be cancelled. If the market sell price falls to 5300 and the stop loss order is executed then your position will be closed.

Linked limit Order
A linked limit is a limit order that is linked to an open position. If that open position becomes closed for any reason then the linked limit order will cease to exist.

For example;
You place a trade to sell £10 of March Wall Street at 10680, and you enter a linked stop loss at 10700, and a linked limit at 10620.

If the position is closed before either of your orders are triggered, then both the linked stop loss and linked limit will automatically be closed. If the linked stop loss is triggered, the position will be closed and the linked stop loss will automatically be closed.

Similarly if the linked limit is triggered then the position will be closed and the linked stop loss subsequently cancelled.

What is the minimum amount I can deal in CFDs?
You can deal from as little as one CFD.

What are the charges for dealing in CFDs?
A deposit of around 10% of the contract value is needed when you open the position. Commission is charged on opening and closing a CFD position. Also, if you hold a long position overnight, then a daily financing charge will apply. More details on charges are given on our pricing pages and in our trading guide.

Do I need to hold any other type of account to deal CFDs with Barclays Stockbrokers?
No you can open a CFD account without holding any other Barclays Stockbroker accounts.

Will my CFD deals count towards my Barclays Stockbrokers nominee deal count?
No. CFD deals will not qualify for reduced commission, or be eligible to add to your deal count.

Will flexible commission rates apply to CFD deals I make?
No. CFD deals will not count towards reduced commission rates on other Barclays Stockbrokers accounts.

Do I need a separate login for my CFD account?
Yes, you need a separate login to allow you to view and deal on your CFD account. You will be given this information when you open your CFD account.

Who do I contact for more information on CFD dealing, or if I have a question?
Barclays Stockbrokers CFD team - call them on 0845 355 0800 or