Comments on: Sporting Index

By: Man of Mystery

Man of Mystery — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:18:35 +0000

Hi John. Spread betting is all based on margins. If the spread is too large then I’d tend to agree. The search for value continues. Catch you soon mate.

By: The Gambler.

The Gambler. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:53:35 +0000

Cheers MOM.

I think financials on spread betting is a different kettle of fish, and I would bow to your greater knowledge.

Sports betting I think the spreads are too wide.

Good fun though if you have some money you don’t need.

By: Man of Mystery

Man of Mystery — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:58:19 +0000

Hi Nick, thanks for letting me know. This is the start of a feature on spread betting we’ll be running and I don’t use them much these days. But they were one of the first companies I opened an account with. Memory’s not what it was unfortunately. I am getting on, you know. I mainly get involved with the financials at http://www.igindex.co.uk, http://www.cantorindex.co.uk, http://www.paddypowertrader.com, http://www.capitalspreads.com, http://www.finspreads.com, http://www.cmcmarkets.co.uk and http://www.gnutrade.com amongst others. And they’ll all be reviewed over the coming months where my posts might be a bit more accurate.

Thanks again for pulling me up mate.

By: nick

nick — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:23:49 +0000

‘Horse racing is not really featured at Sporting Index’ Have to disagree with this statement quite strongly! Plenty of markets on UK and Irish racing every day.

By: Man of Mystery

Man of Mystery — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:55:22 +0000

If you ain’t got a view backed up with solid research then you’re in just the same position as a mug punter on the horses.

But spread betting does have its place John. Share trading incurs 0.5% stamp duty and stockbrokers’ commission. You are also liable to capital gains tax on profits that exceed your annual allowance.

Making an ‘up-bet’ on a share via spread betting produces the same exposure as buying the shares in the ordinary way, but there is no stamp duty and no stockbrokers’ commission.

For me it’s all about leverage John. You don’t have to pay cash up-front to cover your whole exposure. Bookmakers will often ask for initial margin of just 10% to 20% of the value of your position.

Value? Yes. IMO.

Sorry to read about your health challenges John. A friend of mine has the same. But not through alcohol. We went to school together but his early years were in Malta where they didn’t have bottled water and you couldn’t drink the tap water. So he got addicted to Coca Cola 30+ years ago. On his last visit from Thailand a few weeks ago his skin was in a terrible state. But with a change of lifestyle it’s amazing how quickly the liver can regenerate. Good luck mate.

By: The Gambler.

The Gambler. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:59:16 +0000

Spread Betting a very good way of wasting money.

Cut out the middle man.

Take all your money and throw it on the fire.