The price of the Index CFD is directly related to the price of the exchange-quoted related future. The price-movement of the Index CFD tracks the movement of the related future, although the price levels differ by an adjustment for interest and dividends (fair-value adjustment).

For example (actual quotes):

IBA Index CFD Price Determination: As discussed the IBA Index CFDs track the related future, adjusted for fair value. The resulting synthetic index level is very close to the cash index, but may differ somewhat as explained below.

In the futures market fair value is the equilibrium price for a futures contract. It is the price at which an investor effectively pays the appropriate rate of interest, and is compensated for the dividends he forgoes by holding the future rather than the underlying shares.

The fair value is determined by adjusting the cash index as follows, taking into account the time remaining to expiry:

Cash Index Value + Interest - Dividends = Future at Fair Value

To determine the value of the IB Index CFD, we reverse the process:

Actual Futures Price - Interest + Dividends = IB Index CFD Value

The result is not necessarily the same value as the cash index. This is because the starting point is the actual price of the future, and the future may trade above or below its fair value.

Having established the level for the synthetic index, the actual CFD quotes show spreads and ticks that reflect those of the underlying future.

Low Commissions and Financing Rates: Unlike other Index CFD providers IB charges a transparent commission, rather than widening the spread of the related future. Depending on the index, commission rates are only 0.005% - 0.01%. Overnight financing rates are just benchmark +/- 1.5%.

Flexible Exposure to Major Markets: IB Index CFDs are available for the main US, European and Asia Pacific indices. They can be traded in lots as small as 1X the index level, a fraction of the size of the related futures. And unlike the related futures, they do not need to be rolled over. You can trade all European and US IB Index CFDs from 09:00 - 22:00 CET.

Margin Efficiency: IB Index CFDs are margined at the same low rates as the related future, adjusted for contract size (subject to a minimum of 5%). IB also offers intraday margin rates on Index CFDs at a level consistent with that of the related futures contract. Intraday rates are generally set at 50% of the overnight rate and are offered during a time frame which begins at the start of liquid trading hours and ends 15 minutes before the liquid trading close. A list of the Index CFDs subject to this change and their liquid trading hours is provided in the table below.

Trading requiring margin involves a high degree of risk and may result in a loss of funds greater than the amount you have deposited.

Dividend Adjustment: Based on ordinary dividends for the constituents of each index. Dividends are accrued on the ex-date and settled T + 2.

Corporate Action Adjustments: None for the CFD. Corporate actions are reflected in the index level

Worked Trade Example:

Opening the Position

You purchase 10 IBUS30 CFDs at $23,534.48 for USD 235,344.80, which you then hold for 5 days.

Closing the Position

CFD Resources

Below are some useful links with more detailed information on IB’s CFD offering:

CFD Contract Specifications

CFD Product Listings

CFD Commissions

CFD Financing Rates

CFD Margin Requirements

CFD Corporate Actions

Frequently asked Questions

What Indices are available as CFDs?

The principal indices in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. Please see CFD Product Listings for more detail.

Do you have CFDs on commodities?

IB does not currently offer Commodity CFDs.

How do you determine your Index CFD quotes?

IB Index CFDs track the related future, adjusted for fair value. It is in effect a synthetic index level that is very close to the cash index, but may differ somewhat as explained below.

In the futures market fair value is the equilibrium price for a futures contract. It is the price at which an investor effectively pays the appropriate rate of interest, and is compensated for the dividends he forgoes by holding the future rather than the underlying shares.

The fair value is determined by adjusting the cash index as follows, taking into account the time remaining to expiry:

Cash Index Value + Interest - Dividends = Future at Fair Value

To determine the value of the IB Index CFD, we reverse the process:

Actual Futures Price - Interest + Dividends = IB Index CFD Value

The result is not necessarily the same value as the cash index. This is because the starting point is the actual price of the future, and the future may trade above or below its fair value.

Having established the level for the synthetic index, the actual CFD quotes show spreads and ticks that reflect those of the underlying future. IB charges a commission rather than widening the spread, enabling a transparent comparison between the returns of the Index CFD and the related future.

How do you determine margins for Index CFDs?

The margins are the same as for the related future, adjusted for size, including lower rates intraday. Please refer to CFD Margin Requirements for more detail.

Are short Index CFDs subject to forced buy-in?

No. As the reference instrument is a future, the index CFD is not affected by stock loan availability.

How do you handle dividends and corporate actions?

The index level itself is adjusted for corporate actions, and no direct adjustments to the CFD are necessary. Index CFDs are however adjusted for dividends as the underlying future is typically based on a price index. The only exception among the currently available IB Index CFDs is Germany 40 (IBDE40), which is based on a total return index.
For an overview please see CFD Corporate Actions.

What do I need to do to start trading CFDs with IB?

You need to set up trading permission for CFDs in Account Management, and agree to the relevant trading disclosures. The trading permission covers both Index and Share CFDs.

Are there any market data requirements?

The market data for IB Index CFDs is free, but you need to subscribe to it for system reasons. It is a global permission (like FX), so you only need to subscribe once. To do this, log into account management, and click through the following tabs: Trade/Configuration/Market Data Subscriptions. Alternatively you can set up an Index CFD in your TWS quote monitor and click the “Market Data Subscription Manager” button that appears on the quote line.

Can I transfer in CFD positions from another broker?

IB does not currently have a facility for transferring Index CFD positions. IB will be glad to facilitate the transfer of Share CFD positions. As the transfer of CFD positions is more complex than is the case for share positions, we generally require the position to be at least the equivalent of USD 100,000.

What account protections apply when trading CFDs with IBA?

CFDs are contracts with IBA as your counterparty, and are not traded on a regulated exchange and are not cleared on a central clearinghouse. Since IBA is the counterparty to your CFD trades, you are exposed to the financial and business risks, including credit risk, associated with dealing with IBA. IBA will handle the client money it receives in accordance
with the rules set out in Part 7.8 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Client Money Rules) and to the extent applicable the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (ASX market) 2010. Where required, IBA will pay such client money into a trust account. Please refer to the IBA CFD Product Disclosure Statement for further detail on risks associated with trading CFDs.

What are the maximum positions I can have in a specific Index CFD?

There is no pre-set limit for position size, but please be aware that trade-size restrictions apply to Index CFDs. Please see the table at the beginning of this document for more detail.

Can I trade CFDs over the phone?

No. In exceptional cases we may agree to process closing orders over the phone, but never opening orders.

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