What Is Leverage in Trading? A Simple Explanation
Leverage is a fundamental concept in trading. It allows participants to control a larger position in the market with a smaller initial deposit. This is achieved through borrowing provided by a broker. While leverage can make markets more accessible, it also increases risk exposure. Understanding how leverage functions is important before participating in any leveraged product, such as CFDs. Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing all your invested capital. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your investment. How Leverage Works Leverage is expressed as a ratio, such as 1:10, 1:20, or 1:30 . The ratio indicates how much larger a market position can be relative to the margin deposit required. For example, with 1:10 leverage, a margin of $1,000 allows control of a $10,000 position. The broker provides the additional exposure, but the participant is responsible for m...