⚡ Quick Start: Key Risk Settings

SettingWhat to knowRisk Management Considerations
Margin LevelLower levels increase the risk of position closureMonitor regularly
LeverageHigher leverage increases exposure and riskConsider lower leverage
Stop LossHelps limit losses; execution price isn't guaranteedConsider for risk management
Take ProfitCloses a position at a selected level, subject to executionSet according to your approach
Position SizeLarger positions increase potential gains and lossesConsider smaller positions

01 | Understand Your Margin

Think of margin as the amount required to open and maintain a leveraged position. It's not the cost of your trade.

Example: With $100 of your own money and 1:100 leverage, you could open a position with a notional value of up to $10,000. That $100 is your margin. Your margin level is one of the most important indicators of your account health. If it drops too low, positions may be closed in accordance with applicable margin requirements. Position closure does not guarantee that losses will be limited to a particular amount.

How is it calculated?

Margin Level = Equity ÷ Used Margin × 100%

ScenarioPositionsUsed MarginMargin Level
Example 1Position A: $50$50$100 ÷ $50 × 100% = 200%
Example 2Position A: $30Position B: $20$30 + $20 = $50$100 ÷ $50 × 100% = 200%

Key point: Used Margin is the sum of all open positions' margins. The more positions you hold, the higher your used margin, and the lower your margin level.

Risk management tip: Keep an eye on your margin level. Lower levels increase the risk of position closure.


02 | Choose Your Leverage Carefully

Leverage lets you control a much bigger position than your deposit alone. Our platform offers leverage from 1:1 up to 1:1000.** Subject to the instrument, account type, jurisdiction and applicable restrictions. At 1:1000 leverage, every $1 of margin can provide exposure to up to $1,000 of trade value.**

Example: Trading 1 oz of gold (~$4,400 notional value)

LeverageMargin RequiredGold Price Move (%)Gold Price Move ($)Leverage-Related RiskRisk Consideration
1:01$4,400100%~$4,400Lower relative leverage riskHigher margin required
1:100$441%~$44ModerateGreater price impact
1:300$14.670.33%~$14.67HighSignificant price impact
1:1000$4.400.10%~$4.40Very HighVery high price sensitivity

⚠️ In this example, a 1% move at 1:100 and a 0.1% move at 1:1000 would each correspond to approximately $44 and $4.40 respectively. Higher leverage means smaller market movements can have a greater impact on your account.


03 | Understand How a Trade Works

3.1 Buy & Sell, Quantity

Click Buy if you think the price will rise, or Sell if you think it will fall.

Set your trade size, measured in lots or units depending on the platform. A larger trade size requires more margin and increases both your potential profit and potential loss.

Example: You buy 1 unit of gold for $4,000.

Rises to $4,020 → you profit $20

Drops to $3,980 → you lose $20


3.2 Stop Loss / Take Profit

Two commonly used order types for managing positions are:

A Stop Loss is designed to close your trade when the relevant level is reached, helping limit potential losses.

A Take Profit is designed to close your trade when your selected level is reached, helping lock in gains.

Both can be added when you open the trade or while it is still running. Trading costs and other applicable charges may still apply.

Consider using a Stop Loss to help manage risk.

Important: Stop Loss and Take Profit orders are not guaranteed to execute at the exact price you select. During periods of high volatility, low liquidity or market gaps, they may be affected by slippage and executed at the first available price.


3.3 Sell When Price Is...

You can also place an order that opens automatically when price reaches a level you choose. In the platform, this appears as "Sell when price is...".

You can place a pending order to automatically open a Sell position when the market reaches a price level you choose. On the mobile app platform, this option appears as “Sell when the price is…”, while on the Web Platform, it appears as a Sell Limit or Sell Stop order.

Important: The order is not guaranteed to be executed at the exact price selected. During periods of high volatility, low liquidity or market gaps, it may be executed at the first available price.

Your SettingWhat It Means
Price above current marketYou expect price to rise first, then fall
Price below current marketYou expect price to fall further

Example: Gold is currently $4,400.

Set "Sell when price is $4,500" → the order opens a Sell position if price rises to $4,500

Set "Sell when price is $4,300" → the order opens a Sell position if price falls to $4,300

Note: "Sell when price is..." is different from Stop Loss / Take Profit. It opens a new position, while SL/TP closes an existing one.


04 | Know What You're Trading

There's no single "right" market to trade. Consider your knowledge, experience, objectives, financial situation and risk tolerance before trading.

Type

Examples

What to Know

CommoditiesGold, SilverGold is often viewed by some market participants as a safe-haven asset during periods of uncertainty, although its price can still be volatile.
CryptoBitcoin, EthereumHigh volatility, with bigger price swings in shorter timeframes.
IndicesNasdaq 100, S&P 500Trade the performance of major economies and top companies in one position.
ForexEUR/USD, USD/JPYA highly traded global market, generally available during the trading week. Liquidity and spreads vary by instrument and market conditions.

05 | Not Ready to Start?

That's completely fine. Here are three ways to build confidence first:

Try DEMO. Practice with virtual funds in a simulated trading environment.

Explore the Platform. See what tools and features are available to support your trading. https://laravel.markets.com/trade/trading-tools/

Visit the Learn Centre. Guides, tutorials, and market insights. https://laravel.markets.com/education-centre

You can explore a DEMO account and practise with virtual funds before considering live trading.

Demo accounts are for practice only. Simulated trading may not reflect live market conditions, execution or the emotional and financial impact of trading with real funds.


Risk Warning: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, investment research, or a recommendation to trade. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Markets.com. When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange), and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leveraged products can result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Before trading, ensure you fully understand the risks involved and consider your investment objectives and level of experience. Cryptocurrency CFD trading restrictions may apply depending on jurisdiction.

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