CFDs vs. Stocks

First Published date: 15. August, 2022Last Updated: 31. January, 2023Fact-checked by Adrian Müller
Stocks and CFDs (Contracts for Difference) are two of the most popular forms of trading. Both of them have benefits and drawbacks. Knowing their differences can help determine which type of trading is right for you. So, what are the differences between CFDs vs. Stocks?
CFD trading and stock trading are two types of approaches to trading the stock markets. Although they are similar, they each have distinct features. Understanding them can be the difference between loss and profit.
In this article, we will analyze the benefits that each type of trading offers and how to pinpoint the one which works best for you. So, let’s dive into CFDs and stocks and explore their differences.
Table of Content
Advantages Of CFDs
CFD trading is a special type of agreement between investors and institutions. In CFDs, investors guess the future value of a certain asset. Many investors use them due to their many advantages. The following describes some of the main advantages of trading with CFDs:
Reduced Trading Costs
The main advantage of CFD trading is that it drastically reduces the cost of trading. CFD trading offers greater returns compared to traditional trading. CFD traders typically do not have to pay brokerage fees or commissions.
However, the only cost associated with CFD trading is the spread. This allows for greater flexibility for traders in determining the amount of money to be invested and the return on the investment.
Increased Trade Leverage
CFDs also allow for increased trade leverage compared to other types of trading. You can open trades using leverage by paying a deposit known as your margin (only 5%) rather than paying the full amount of the investment. This means you can take up greater positions on a given asset with much less capital.
It becomes easier for investors to get into high-earning potential trades while keeping their capital safe, allowing them to amplify their trades with minimal risk.
High Earnings Potential
CFD trading offers traders the potential to make profits with comparatively small initial investments. With CFD trading, you can take advantage of market instability by opening positions in both falling and rising markets.
This means you can profit from increased volatility and trading volumes, regardless of the market trend. This is advantageous for investors as it maximizes the return on investment.
Traders have more control over how, where, and when they enter a market, giving them more freedom to seize opportunities. Due to the possibility of opening both long and short positions, CFD trading is a very versatile form of trading. You have much more flexibility than regular shares that trade at the exchange.
Increased Hedging Options
Hedging can be used to minimize losses and capitalize on gains. It also protects your asset base and maximizes your profits. By hedging, you can limit your exposure to market movement risks while partially or fully offsetting any losses on one asset through exposure to another.
CFDs allow you to create hedge positions, helping you better manage and control your investment risk. With increased hedging options, you can protect your portfolio from unexpected losses while still having the chance to achieve higher returns.
Variable Lot Sizes
CFD trading also offers variable lot sizes so traders can take positions in different contract sizes. This makes CFD trading for diversifying portfolios without incurring high costs. The contracts can be of various sizes, making investing in the market much easier and more accessible to those with limited capital.
Start with the smallest possible lot sizes to reduce risk when starting trading. You can always increase your lot sizes as you gain confidence in your trading strategy.
Disadvantages Of CFDs
CFDs provide an excellent means of diversifying and hedging your portfolio. But they come with several drawbacks, which you must consider before entering into CFD trading. Here are some of the most common disadvantages of CFD trading:
Industry Regulation Is Weak
The lack of regulation in the industry is a significant disadvantage for CFDs. Instead of government standing or liquidity, a CFD broker’s credibility is built on reputation, financial position, and longevity.
Many CFD brokers are not regulated and thus have no oversight from a professional organization, leaving traders at risk of fraud or manipulation. For this reason, traders are often advised to ensure they are dealing with a trustworthy and reliable broker.
Traders Pay The Spread
In CFD trading, traders pay a spread, or a cost of trading, because they do not own the underlying asset they are trading. Depending on the situation, the spread can be large, reducing a trader’s potential returns when trading CFDs. The chance to make money from minor trades is gone when you have to spend the spread for entries and exits.
The spread also reduces winning trades and increases losses. This makes it difficult to assess your trading costs accurately, affecting your overall gain when trading CFDs.
Leverage Risks
Another disadvantage of CFD trading is the risk of taking too much leverage. Leverage is the ability to control a large amount of money by trading on margin. This can be highly beneficial if used correctly.
However, excessive leverage can subject a trader to considerable losses in a short time. You may suffer massive losses if your predictions are wrong and the markets move against you. So, it is wise to use leverage with caution.
Liquidity Risks
CFD trading also has significant liquidity risks. Low trading volume assets generally carry a high risk of loss. CFDs may be subject to high market volatility, meaning an unexpected move in the asset’s price could easily erase a trader’s potential returns.
If you cannot cover value drops, your supplier may terminate your position, and you will be forced to pay the loss regardless of what happens to the underlying value.
Advantages Of Stocks
Stock trading is a great way to invest. It is one of the oldest and most popular ways to make money in the financial markets. Here are some of the most common benefits of stock trading:
Convenience
This is one of the biggest advantages of stock trading. Stock exchanges are using various technological improvements to give more convenience to investors. All trades are performed on an electronic platform to provide investors with the best investment possibilities in an open atmosphere.
You can trade stocks online any time, no matter where you are. You can easily buy and sell stocks online. All you need is an internet connection and trading software or an account. You can also access up-to-date information on the stock market as soon as it is released.
Regulatory Framework And Environment
The Securities and Exchange Commission regulates the stock exchange. This regulatory framework protects investors’ rights when they invest in financial goods on the stock market. This considerably reduces the risks associated with corporate fraud. Both buyers and sellers must follow specific rules and regulations.
This helps ensure that both parties are treated fairly and at a reasonable price, helping reduce risks when trading. The regulations also ensure that stocks on the exchanges are appropriately valued and not just manipulated.

Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to share trading, crypto and a thorough selection of CFDs.
79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Award-Winning Trading Brokers:



Rating:
Regulated By:
FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FMA, FSA, FSCA
CySEC (EU), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia)
BaFin, FCA
Demo Account:
✔ Free
✔ Free
✔ Free
Live Account:
$100
$200
0
Spreads From:
Variable from 0.5 bps
Variable from 1.0 bps in EUR/USD
Variable from 0.4 bps
Selection Of Instruments:
2000+
1000+
17.000+ (FX, Stocks, CFDs, Commodities and more)
Support:
24/7
24/7
24/7
Payout:
1 – 3 Days
1 – 3 Days
1 – 3 Days
79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Greater Liquidity
Stock trading is a highly liquid market, and there is usually a greater volume of trades, making it easy to buy and sell stocks quickly.
You don’t have to wait long or pay high fees for buying or selling orders. This means you can take advantage of short-term opportunities to make money in the stock market.
Versatility
Another great advantage of stock trading is its versatility. There are many stocks to choose from, like bonds, shares, derivatives, and mutual funds. Each has different characteristics and risk levels.
This gives investors a broad selection of products to put their money into. It makes it possible for investors to diversify their portfolios and reduce the risk of concentrated investments.
High Returns In Less Time
The stock market provides the chance to make high returns in less time if done correctly. This is because of the high liquidity and the rapid buying and selling of stocks. You can also earn dividends on your stocks and capital gains on their sale.
This further helps you enhance your profit generation goals. Because of these advantages, stock trading can help investors realize gains quickly and make higher returns in a shorter amount of time.
Disadvantages Of Stocks
We at Trading for Beginner know that the stock market is a great way to make money, but there are also some disadvantages to trading stocks. Here are some of the possible drawbacks:
Time
Time is one of the most important things to consider when trading stocks. To trade stocks successfully, you’ll need to do lots of research. You will need to monitor the market and the stock you’re interested in.
Also, you’ll have to make decisions on when to buy and when to sell. Furthermore, you’ll need to watch the market for any changes so that you can adjust your strategies.
Risk
Trading stocks involves risk. The stock market is unpredictable. Therefore, your money is in danger as its value could abruptly rise or fall. Your entire investment could be gone if the stock you own drops in value.
Investors will sell a company’s shares if it performs poorly, which will cause the stock price to fall. So, it is essential to research and understand the risks before investing.
Common Stockholders Paid Last
When companies issue stock, they issue two types of stock – common and preferred. If the company is bankrupt, common stockholders get paid out after all other creditors and preferred stockholders.
This means that common stockholders are usually the last to be paid back. This can make stock trading a risky game, resulting in significant financial losses.
Emotional Ups And Downs
Stock trading can be emotionally draining. You may expect to make money on a particular stock and then end up experiencing losses. You may experience extreme highs and lows as the value of your investments fluctuates.
This can leave you feeling discouraged and emotionally drained. It’s important to understand that you can never predict what will happen in the stock market. You have to be prepared for the unexpected.
Comparison Of CFDs And Stocks
The main distinction between a CFD and trading stocks is your ownership of the underlying asset. When you trade a CFD, you bet on the price movement of a market without owning the underlying asset. On the other hand, when you trade stocks, you must own the stocks you are trading.
The following table summarizes the differences between CFDs and Stocks:
Stocks | CFDs | |
Derivative Product | Not a derivative product | A derivative product with flexible underlying |
Leveraged Product | Need to have a margin account | Built-in leverage |
Transaction Costs | Brokerage commission | Swaps and spreads |
Short Selling | You must borrow shares from your broker | Straight-forward procedure |
Flexible Trading Style | Ideal for swing traders and individuals interested in stock ownership. The Pattern Day Trading (PDT) regulation applies to traders in the United States | It can be used for any trading style (swing trading, day trading, scalping) |
Considerations When Choosing Between CFDs And Stocks
If you intend to hold trades for longer than four to six weeks and are eager to own a share of the firm, stocks are the ideal option. Stocks offer investors ownership over the underlying asset and the ability to generate sustained gains.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to share trading, crypto and a thorough selection of CFDs.
79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
On the other hand, if you are a short-term investor not interested in committing to a long-term investment, you could try CFD trading to capitalize on market changes. You can take advantage of the market’s opportunity by utilizing CFDs. This makes it an ideal option if you are looking for quick gains.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to consider which suits your needs best before deciding whether to invest in CFDs or stocks. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and understanding each option’s risks and rewards is crucial.
If you want to make a quick profit, you can go for CFDs; if you want a more sustained profit, you can invest in stocks. Ultimately, deciding whether to invest in CFDs or stocks is yours. You should ensure that you make an informed decision.
Award-Winning Trading Brokers:



Rating:
Regulated By:
FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FMA, FSA, FSCA
CySEC (EU), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia)
BaFin, FCA
Demo Account:
✔ Free
✔ Free
✔ Free
Live Account:
$100
$200
0
Spreads From:
Variable from 0.5 bps
Variable from 1.0 bps in EUR/USD
Variable from 0.4 bps
Selection Of Instruments:
2000+
1000+
17.000+ (FX, Stocks, CFDs, Commodities and more)
Support:
24/7
24/7
24/7
Payout:
1 – 3 Days
1 – 3 Days
1 – 3 Days
79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
About the author – T.R. Carnegie
I am a retired investment banker who has invested heavily in energy stocks since 2005. My goal is to help people understand what is really going on behind the scenes and to provide them with the information they need to take control of their financial future. These days, I am an energy stock investor who has made money from oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power, wind, solar, biofuels, storage, and battery technologies. In this blog, you’ll find ideas about investing in companies that will help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, increase access to clean energy, improve efficiency in manufacturing processes, and build products that save people money and protect the environment.