Forex & CFDs

Forex (foreign exchange) refers to the online market for trading foreign currency and foreign currency derivatives. Unlike the equity market, the Forex market has no centralised location. Instead, exchange prices are established on the inter-bank network where large banks, funds, and liquidity providers can buy and sell currency. It is the largest market globally in terms of daily turnover, and it trades 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

CFDs (contracts for difference) allow traders to gain exposure to an underlying asset without owning it directly. CFDs are similar to derivatives where the price is derived from an underlying asset, and the investor can buy or sell a CFD depending on their view of where the price is headed.

Both CFD and forex trading avoid the transfer of physical assets. They both trade over the counter (OTC), meaning that their transactions are decentralised and take place through a network of financial institutions. Their trades are also typically executed the same way.

Forex and CFDs are similar in the sense that they both trade OTC (over the counter) instead of on an exchange like the ASX, and each product can be traded via the same platform with most brokers. Forex and CFDs both offer traders access to margin trading or leverage, which allows investors to trade a multiple of the funds they have on deposit with the broker, which can amplify gains or losses.

Live AUD/USD Currency rates for 12 months

Kind words from Aussies managing
their own self funded futures

  • SMSF Mate is a unique website because it has ideas about how to approach SMSFs, insurance and other financial topics that come straight from first hand experience. It's much more useful than what you find on all the other financial websites that just offer generic info that you could easily get on the ATO's website. It's also nice to know there's no financial incentive behind the information, it's legitimately there to help people understand self-managed super funds and how to get the most out of them, not to get an affiliate commission from a broker or other financial services provider. The investment product information is also incredibly useful, I've never seen this kind of functionality on any other website that let's you look at such a wide range of products, sort by what info is most interesting or important to you, and subscribe to updates for different funds and financial products all in one place. Definitely worth checking out if you own or are considering an SMSF!

    David G, Self-Employed, SMSF Owner
  • SMSF Mate provides a unique insight into superannuation and financial topics in a way that is easier to understand than conventional websites. The colloquial nature of the site makes it easy to understand and they often speak about complicated topics in lamens terms so I can wrap my head around them. The investment product information is a great way to research funds that I am interested in investing in with my SMSF and there is a lot of helpful information on the site for better structuring my investment portfolio. In comparison to other websites which offer similar information, SMSF Mate excels as the information is free to access whereas many other sites charge a subscription fee for the same thing. Overall, I think SMSF Mate is a great resource for SMSF trustees and is worth looking at for a variety of super-related topics. Thanks.

    Tim B, Business Owner, SMSF Trustee