> You get leverage, it is a fraction of the cost, there is no tax on gains and you can sell short assets you think are over valued.
Do you benefit from dividends or is spread betting like tracker bonds in that respect? What, if anything, is the underlying asset in which money is invested or is it simple a wager?
> However, spread betting is not for everyone. You need to understand how it works and the markets you are trading. You also need to have the cash to put at risk.
So presumably spread betting might be classified as having a high risk/reward profile and, as such, generally only of relevant to those who already have a portfolio well diversfied by asset class, risk/reward profile, geographic location and investment timeframe (e.g. their own house, a pension, an SSIA, perhaps some equity based investments, etc.)? Sounds to me like spread betting might be the sort of peripheral "investment" that people who have already ticked the above boxes to prudently create a well rounded portfolion might engage in as a bit of fun rather than as a core investment?
> The big plus with spreadbetting is the leverage- but it can work for or against you.
So the big plus can be a minus?
> Yes Delta index is running workshops over August and September.
Presumably information about the mechanics of spread betting and how to engage in it is available for free in the public domain?