What is stock trading and how do you start trading stocks?

How do you trade stock CFDs?

To begin trading stocks via CFDs or through spread betting, prospective investors must open a brokerage account with a well-regarded broker.

After successfully establishing the account, investors are encouraged to conduct comprehensive research and thorough analysis of the underlying assets to understand the market. These steps are crucial in making well-informed investment choices. Investors can start on a demo account before opening a live trading account.

When prepared, investors can execute orders through their broker to buy (long), sell (short) CFDs, or place spread bets on various stocks.

How do macroeconomic factors influence global stock markets?

A stock’s price is influenced by numerous elements, including the strength of the underlying company’s balance sheet, future prospects, broader economic conditions, and the prevailing attitudes of investors.

Understanding how macroeconomic factors influence the stock market is crucial, as these elements significantly affect market performance, returns and, ultimately, the price movement of the asset.

Investors should, therefore, be mindful of several essential economic indicators to refine their risk management strategies, including:

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

GDP stands as the most all-encompassing economic indicator, capturing the total value of all goods and services produced within a nation over a specified period. It serves as a fundamental measure of economic growth or contraction, thereby indicating the overall economic health.

Unemployment rate

Employment metrics, such as the unemployment rate, play a pivotal role in stock market analysis. Similar to GDP, the unemployment rate is indicative of economic strength or weakness. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly jobs report provides insights into hiring trends, which can forecast future economic activity levels, while in the UK the Office for National Statistics provides the equivalent data.

Inflation

Rising inflation can dampen consumer spending—accounting for more than two-thirds of GDP—and may prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates to manage price stability. Elevated interest rates typically curb economic activity and can halt stock market rallies. Conversely, declining inflation often leads to lower interest rates, potentially sparking stock market growth.

What is the difference between a bull market and a bear market?

A bull market signifies a sustained uptrend in the financial markets, characterised by rising stock prices and often coinciding with periods of robust economic growth and increased employment.

Conversely, a bear market indicates a significant downturn, marked by falling stock prices and typically associated with economic contraction and higher unemployment rates.

In a thriving bull market, the overall economic conditions are positive, which can lead to a continuous rise in the value of stocks. Investors generally exhibit confidence that this upward momentum will persist, reflecting a strong economy with high job creation and consumer spending. The optimistic sentiment of investors further propels the market upward, reinforcing the cycle of growth.

On the other hand, a bear market is identified by a sustained decline in stock prices, usually defined by a drop of 20% or more from recent peaks. This decline often mirrors a weakening economy, where companies face lower revenues and profits, which may prompt layoffs, increasing unemployment. The prevailing pessimism among investors during a bear market exacerbates the downward trajectory, as fears of further economic deterioration lead to more selling.

Understanding these market dynamics helps investors navigate the financial landscape, enabling them to make informed decisions based on prevailing economic indicators and market trends.

How can I manage risk when trading stocks?

Effective risk management is fundamental to long-term returns when trading stocks via CFDs or through spread bets. It encompasses the identification, analysis, and management of uncertainties inherent in investment decisions. In essence, risk management when trading stocks revolves around making calculated decisions to curtail losses and safeguard capital.

Central to risk management is the practice of capping positions so that a significant market shift or a series of losses remains manageable. The goal is to ensure that losses are within a bearable range, leaving enough capital to recuperate through future profitable investments.

Achieving long-term profitability in when trading stocks hinges on a combination of factors:

1. The ratio of winning trades to losing trades (volume).
2. The average profit per trade versus the average loss per trade (value).

Risk management employs various tactics, such as setting stop-loss orders, determining appropriate position sizes, and diversifying investments across different assets. These strategies help investors establish limits on potential losses per trade or over a certain period.

What is a stock CFD?

Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a type of Over The Counter (OTC) financial instrument that enables investors to speculate on the price fluctuations of various assets such as foreign exchange (forex), equities, and commodities without the necessity of actually owning those assets.

It is important to note that non-leveraged, traditional stock trading is not offered by Pepperstone. Only leveraged trading via stock CFDs is offered through Pepperstone, which allows investors to speculate on the price movements of various assets.

What are the different strategies for trading stocks?

A trading strategy is the foundation for a measured approach for engaging in trading stocks via CFDs or by placing spread bets, encompassing predefined rules and criteria to inform buying and selling decisions.

Trading strategies can vary greatly in complexity. They might consider factors such as investment style (like value versus growth companies ), company size (market capitalisation), technical analysis, fundamental analysis, industry sectors, portfolio diversification levels, investment duration, risk tolerance, leverage usage and more.

Crucially, a trading strategy should be grounded in objective data and analysis and consistently followed. Nevertheless, it should also be revisited and adjusted periodically to reflect evolving market conditions or shifts in personal financial objectives.

There is a wide array of trading strategies and techniques available. The diversity of these methods allows people from various backgrounds to find an approach that suits their preferences and goals, making participation in financial markets accessible to many.

Trading strategies can be categorised into different types, each with its unique characteristics and suitable for different time frames and risk appetites. The main types of trading strategies include:

• Trend Trading: Capitalising on the direction of market momentum.
• Range Trading: Profiting from predictable price oscillations between support and resistance levels.
• Breakout Trading: Identifying and trading securities that are poised to move beyond established resistance or support levels.
• Reversal Trading: Betting on the direction change of a security's price after a peak or trough.
• Gap Trading: Exploiting price gaps that occur when a stock opens significantly higher or lower than its previous closing price.
• Pairs Trading: Engaging in market-neutral trading by pairing long and short positions in two correlated securities.
• Arbitrage: Taking advantage of price discrepancies between different markets or forms of the same asset.
• Momentum Trading: Investing in securities that show strong recent performance with the expectation that this momentum will continue.

What are the benefits of trading stocks?

Trading stock CFDs or through spread betting presents numerous benefits compared to traditional stock trading, such as:

• Utilising leverage: With CFDs and spread bets, investors can leverage their investments, allowing them to manage larger positions with a smaller capital outlay. This can significantly increase potential profits, though it also heightens the risk of losses.
• Profiting from declining markets: CFDs and spread bets facilitate short selling, enabling investors to benefit from falling market prices by selling (shorting) assets.
• Reduced costs: In many regions, CFDs and spread betting (in the UK) are exempt from stamp duty, lowering the overall cost of transactions.
• Broad market access: CFDs and spread bets grant investors the ability to access a diverse array of global markets - including stocks, indices, commodities, and forex - through a single platform.
• Lower fees: CFDs and spread bets incur lower fees and commissions than traditional stock trading, as costs are often confined to the spread (the difference between the buying and selling price).
• Avoidance of asset ownership hassles: When trading stocks via CFDs or through spread betting, investors do not take ownership of the underlying asset, sidestepping the logistical challenges and expenses associated with ownership, such as storage and insurance for physical commodities.
• Strategic hedging: Investors can utilise CFDs or spread betting to hedge against potential losses in their existing portfolios. For instance, they can short sell CFDs to protect against declines in the value of their stock holdings.
• Round-the-Clock trading: Many CFD and spread betting platforms offer 24-hour trading, allowing participants to respond to news and global developments outside regular market hours.

IPOs can be very popular with stock traders, and Pepperstone has compiled a list of upcoming IPOs in 2025.

What are the risks in trading stocks?

Trading stocks via CFDs and by placing spread bets carries a myriad of risks that investors need to be aware of, such as:

• Leverage: Trading stock CFDs or placing spread bets enables investors to leverage their positions, allowing control over a large amount of stock with a smaller capital outlay. This leverage can significantly magnify both gains and losses. Even minor adverse market movements can lead to substantial losses that exceed the initial investment.
• Market volatility: Stock CFD and spread betting prices are highly volatile and sensitive to market fluctuations. Unexpected market changes can result in rapid and significant losses.
• Liquidity risk: Certain stock CFDs or spread bets may lack liquidity, making it challenging to buy or sell at desired prices. This lack of liquidity can cause slippage, where trades are executed at prices different from those anticipated, leading to unanticipated losses.
• Margin call risk: If market conditions turn against an investor’s stock CFD or spread betting position, their broker might demand additional funds to maintain the margin. Failure to meet these margin calls can result in the broker closing their positions, often at a loss.

What is margin trading and how does it work when trading stocks?

Margin trading involves a trader’s deposit being magnified or geared by their broker.

The allure of margin trading lies in its potential for higher returns compared to traditional share trading. By leveraging, investors can amplify their gains. However, this also means that any losses are equally magnified, making it a high-risk strategy.

Margin trading effectively uses leverage to enhance the impact of your investment decisions.

In essence, margin trading requires a margin deposit, which is a portion of the total trade value that serves as collateral. This margin deposit is determined by the margin rate, expressed as a percentage of the total trade value.

CFD stock trading example:

Imagine an investor wants to purchase 10 shares of Nvidia stock priced at $100 per share. In standard trade, an investor would pay the full $1000 upfront in exchange for the 10 shares.

However, with a margin rate of 20%, the investor would only need to deposit $200 to gain exposure to the entire $1000 value of the shares.

This allows investors to control a larger position with a smaller initial investment, highlighting both the advantages and risks associated with margin trading.

How can I use leverage effectively in my stock CFD trading strategy?

Leverage is often represented as a ratio, such as 5:1, 10:1, or even higher. A 10:1 leverage indicates that for every $100 of the investor’s capital, they can open a $1,000 position, significantly increasing their position.

To put that into context, with 10:1 leverage, an investor can gain an exposure of 500 shares of a Lloyds stock valued at $20 each, amounting to a $10,000 position, compared to just 50 shares without leverage.

Now imagine that the stock price appreciates by 10% to $22 per share.

Without leverage: The investor holds 50 shares. The total investment becomes $1,100 , yielding a profit of $100.

With leverage: The investor holds 500 shares. The total investment value reaches $11,000..

This example highlights how leveraged stock trading can significantly boost profits. However, it also poses substantial risks, potentially causing severe losses, especially when utilising higher leverage levels as while any gains are quickly magnified, so are losses.

How do I perform advanced technical analysis on stocks?

Technical analysis involves evaluating price movements over a defined period with the aim of predicting market trends. While forecasting the market is challenging, by utilising charts it can provide investors with valuable insights. Further, advanced techniques in technical analysis often incorporate multiple indicators or methodologies to enhance market predictions, including:

Trading charts

Chart patterns are foundational to technical analysis. Analysts rely on various charts to gather essential data. The main chart types include line charts, bar charts, candlestick charts, and point and figure charts, each serving different trading objectives.

Technical analysts use chart patterns to identify potential trading signals, as they believe certain patterns recur and yield similar results. This foundational understanding allows traders to effectively analyse daily and intraday charts, avoiding the misleading nature of short-term views when isolated.

Support and resistance

Support and resistance levels are key concepts in technical analysis. These levels indicate points where the market price struggles to move beyond a specific level.

Support levels form when a declining market hits a low and rebounds, while resistance levels occur when a rising market reaches a high and then falls back.

Investors use these levels to make informed trading decisions and anticipate trend reversals.

Correlation

The relationship between the movements of different stocks is another important aspect of technical analysis. Stocks with movements that consistently follow each other are positively correlated. For instance, rising oil prices often lead to higher gas prices. Conversely, negatively correlated stocks move in opposite directions. Understanding these correlations is beneficial for portfolio diversification, as non-correlated stocks can offset losses within a portfolio.

Moving averages

Due to the volatile nature of price movements, interpreting chart patterns can be challenging. Moving averages help by smoothing out daily fluctuations, making trends more discernible and aiding in the identification of support and resistance levels.

The simple moving average is the most common type, with other variations including the exponential moving average and the linear weighted moving average. Common periods for calculating moving averages are 50, 100, or 200 days, offering varying degrees of trend visibility.

What is pair trading with stocks and how can I identify good pairs?

Pairs trading is a sophisticated investment technique that aims to profit from the relative price movements between two related financial instruments. Unlike traditional trading strategies, it does not depend on the overall market direction.

In practice, this strategy involves purchasing the undervalued asset while short-selling the overvalued one, thus ensuring a neutral stance regarding market movements. This is why pairs trading is also known as a market-neutral or statistical arbitrage strategy.

The chosen securities can originate from the same sector or from different markets, provided they exhibit a strong positive correlation.

To implement a pairs trade, the initial step is to identify two securities with a high degree of correlation. For instance, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Utilities Average are two indices that frequently move in tandem. Analysing their historical price movements can provide insight into their correlation and potential trading opportunities.

What are the challenges and opportunities of trading stocks in emerging markets?

Emerging markets, typically located in developing regions, are known for their rapid economic growth, increasing productivity, expanding populations, and rising industrialisation.

These markets present a mix of opportunities and risks due to their higher volatility compared to established markets. The financial infrastructures and regulatory frameworks in these regions are often less mature, adding an element of uncertainty for investors.

What is an example of stock CFD trading?

Imagine an investor wants to purchase 10 shares of Tesla priced at $100 per share. In this scenario, an investor would pay the $1,000 in exchange for the 10 Tesla shares.

A week later, the underlying stock price increased to $150 per share. If the investor sells their 10 Tesla shares at this new market price, they will receive $1,500, representing a $500 profit.

Trading Stock CFDs - Upside Example:

Now, let's consider that an investor decides to trade Nvidia stock using CFDs with leverage.

This investor wants to trade CFDs on 10 shares of Nvidia stock, also priced at $100 per share. However, instead of paying the full $1,000, the investor uses leverage. Let's assume a leverage ratio of 10:1 (meaning the investor only needs to provide 10% of the trade value as margin).

For a position worth $1,000 (10 stock CFDs x $100), the investor only needs to put down $100.

A week later, the underlying stock price increased to $150 per share. The value of the CFD position now mirrors the new stock price, so the position is worth $1,500 (10 stock CFDs x $150).

The investor then decides to close the CFD position at this point to lock in their profit. The profit is calculated as the difference between the closing value and the opening value of the position:

• Opening value: $1,000
• Closing value: $1,500
• Profit: $1,500 - $1,000 = $500

It’s important to note that trading stock CFDs can offer significant profit potential but also carries a higher risk of substantial losses. Investors should be aware of these risks and manage their trades accordingly.

Trading Stock CFDs - Downside Risk Example:

Imagine an investor wants to purchase 10 stock CFDs of Nvidia priced at $100 per share. Instead of paying the full $1,000, the investor uses leverage with a ratio of 10:1, meaning they only need to provide 10% of the trade value as margin. For a position worth $1,000 (10 stock CFDs x $100), the investor only needs to put down $100.

A week later, the underlying stock price decreased to $50 per share. The value of the CFD position now mirrors the new stock price, so the position is worth $500 (10 stock CFDs x $50). The investor decides to close the CFD position at this point to prevent further losses. The loss is calculated as the difference between the opening value and the closing value of the position:

Opening value: $1,000

Closing value: $500

Loss: $1,000 - $500 = $500

Impact on Investor:

Initial investment (margin): $100

Loss: $500

Since the investor only put down $100, the loss of $500 would mean the investor loses their entire margin. However, with negative balance protection for retail clients, the loss cannot exceed the capital used to trade, ensuring the investor does not owe additional funds to the broker.

Stock Trading FAQs

What is a stock exchange?

A stock exchange serves as a marketplace where shares of publicly listed companies are traded. The stock exchange acts as an intermediary, ensuring a secure and regulated trading environment.

This centralised platform not only facilitates buying and selling of stocks but also provides transparency through real-time price information and trading volume data.

Investors benefit from the stock exchange's role in maintaining fair practices and market integrity, promoting liquidity and investor confidence. Stock exchanges play a crucial role in the global economy by fostering efficient capital allocation and enabling companies to raise funds for growth and innovation.

Examples of stock exchanges

• New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• London Stock Exchange (LSE)
• Euronext
• Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)

It is important to note that stock CFDs as OTC derivatives are not centrally cleared through stock exchanges, but rather from liquidity providers who will make a market to mimic these exchanges in order to trade stock CFDs.

What is a stock?

Stocks are financial instruments that represent ownership in a company, providing shareholders with entitlements to the company's earnings and assets.

Investors typically buy stocks with the expectation that their value will appreciate over time, reflecting optimism about the company's growth prospects and profitability. As the company prospers, the value of its stock tends to rise, allowing shareholders to potentially sell their holdings at a profit.

It is important to note that for stock CFDs, you don't own or have rights in the underlying asset, simply the ability to speculate on the price movement of the underlying asset.

What is a ticker symbol?

A stock symbol functions as a condensed identifier for publicly traded corporations. When a company opts to become publicly traded, it first designates the stock exchange where its shares will be listed. Subsequently, the company carefully selects a distinct stock symbol to distinguish itself clearly among the multitude of other companies trading on that particular exchange. This symbol not only serves as a unique marker but also plays a crucial role in facilitating efficient trading and investment activities within the financial markets.

Examples of stock ticker symbols:

• Apple [NASDAQ: AAPL]
• Nvidia [NASDAQ:NVDA]
• BP [LON: BP]
• Shell [LON: SHEL]

How to start trading stock CFDs?

To embark on stock trading CFDs, prospective investors must open a brokerage account with a well-regarded broker.

After successfully establishing the account, investors are encouraged to delve into comprehensive company research and conduct thorough financial analyses. These steps are crucial in making well-informed investment choices. Investors can start on a demo account before opening a live trading account.

What are trading hours?

Global stock markets operate on varying schedules according to their respective time zones, including:

New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Eastern Time)

London Stock Exchange: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Greenwich Mean Time)

Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon): 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Central European Time)

Pepperstone offers investors extended trading services, meaning they can continue to trade in some markets even when those are officially closed, providing them with greater flexibility and opportunities.

Can you sell stock after hours?

Peppersone offers investors the advantage of engaging in pre-market and after-hours trading, alongside 24-hour CFD trading on US Shares.

This expanded access is particularly beneficial during earnings season, as it allows investors to react to corporate reports released outside traditional market hours, a time when such disclosures are typically made by US companies.

This enhanced trading functionality includes 24-hour availability for CFD trading on 37 major US Shares, featuring prominent companies like Apple, Tesla, Amazon, Nvidia, among others.

After hours trading from Pepperstone enables investors to capitalise on opportunities beyond the regular trading day, ensuring they can act promptly based on market-moving news and developments.

What tools do I need for stock CFD trading?

Pepperstone provides a suite of five robust trading platforms, tailored to fit your specific trading needs, no matter your level of experience. These platforms are accessible at no cost and available across various devices, including mobile, tablet, desktop, and through our web application.

How do I handle the emotional aspects of trading?

Trading psychology encompasses how investors manage their profits and losses, reflecting their capacity to handle risks and adhere to their trading strategies. This psychological aspect is crucial, as emotions can strongly influence trading decisions. An investor’s ability to control these emotions is integral to effective trading psychology.

Common emotional challenges in trading stock CFDs include:

• Fear: Many investors experience fear of missing out (FOMO), which arises from the anxiety of potentially losing money or missing lucrative opportunities. This can result in impulsive actions or complete hesitation.
• Greed: The ambition to achieve significant profits can cloud judgement, leading investors to undertake unnecessary risks without proper analysis.
• Revenge trading: Following a loss, some investors may engage in revenge trading, attempting to recover losses swiftly. This approach often results in hasty and poorly thought-out trades, increasing the likelihood of further losses.
• Overconfidence: A series of successful trades can breed overconfidence, causing investors to downplay potential risks and overestimate their market prediction abilities, which can lead to reckless trading decisions.

Understanding and managing these emotional pitfalls are essential for maintaining a disciplined and effective trading strategy. By recognising these tendencies, investors can develop strategies to mitigate their impact, such as setting strict trading rules, maintaining a diversified portfolio, and continually educating themselves about market dynamics.

What is the difference between stock trading via a CFD and stock brokering?

Investing in the stock market can be done through two main avenues: traditional stock trading or trading stocks via CFDs. However, these methods have notable differences, including:

Ownership

• Traditional Stock Brokering: Purchasing stocks gives you ownership in a company. This ownership includes rights to vote on company matters and receive dividends.
• Trading stock CFDs: When trading CFDs, you do not own the actual stock. Instead, you are betting on the stock's price movements without owning the underlying asset.

Leverage

• Traditional Stock Brokering: Buying traditional stocks usually means paying the full price upfront. Leverage is minimal or non-existent, which means you need substantial capital to make large investments.
• Trading stock CFDs: CFDs offer high leverage, allowing you to control larger positions with a smaller amount of money. This leverage can significantly increase both potential profits and potential losses.

Costs and fees

• Traditional Stock Brokering: Typically, buying and selling stocks incurs commission fees. These can vary depending on the brokerage but are generally a fixed cost per transaction.
• Trading stock CFDs: When trading stock CFDs, the costs involved can vary depending on the type of account. Razor accounts typically charge a commission, while Standard accounts include these costs within the spreads (the difference between the buy and sell price). Additionally, there may be other fees, such as overnight financing costs, which can accumulate if positions are held for an extended period.

By understanding these differences, investors can make more informed decisions about which method aligns best with their financial goals and overall risk tolerance