Knowing some basic expressions from the financial world is quite important for your trading performance. Have you heard about a spread? Do you know what it is? Let me explain it to you.
Key Takeaways🔑
| →A spread refers to the difference between the offer and bid prices for a particular financial instrument. |
| →Factors such as volatility, liquidity, and volume influence the bid-ask spread. |
| →Olymp Trade utilizes a Mid price, making the trading process simpler and more straightforward. |
Contents
Explanation of the spread
Generally speaking, a spread is a difference between the offer and bid that is the buy and sell prices for a particular instrument. You will often see that brokers quote the prices as the spread. This implies that the price to purchase presented will be a bit higher than the price of the underlying instrument and the selling price a bit lower.
There are also other connotations of the spread in the financial world. Nevertheless, it always indicates the difference between prices.
You can also find an expression of the bid-offer spread which represent how big is the supply and demand for an instrument. A market is tight when the bid and offer prices are comparable and when they are far from each other. It means that the buyers and sellers have different opinions on the value of the asset.
What influences the bid-ask spread
Many factors have an impact on the spread.
Volatility shows how often price changes. The more rapid fluctuations, the higher volatility and the wider spread.
Liquidity provides information about how easy is to buy or sell the instrument. The bid-ask spread will be tighter when the liquidity grows.
Volume measures the amount of assets that are traded on a daily basis. The spread will narrow together with the greater volume.
Fixed and floating spread
Spread is set by the broker on every asset. It may be also viewed as a commission included in the price of an instrument to trade on Forex. When it does not change in different market conditions, it is called a fixed spread. Even volatility will no longer affect the height of the spread. Some traders, especially at the beginning, prefer fixed spread because it makes the trading process more predictable. On the other hand, this kind of spread is usually wider so the costs for traders may be bigger.
Floating spread changes when the volatility changes. It requires the traders to open and close transactions at a very precise moment. A few seconds later and the spread may be quite different. The risk is higher but when you find a good moment to trade, you will find out that the costs of transactions are lower.
Mid price on the Olymp Trade platform
On Olymp Trade you will find a Mid price instead of the Ask and Bid price. It provides the average price between the buy and sell prices. This way reading the trading charts is much easier.
Another consequence is that there are commissions on every asset. You will find the commission rate under the trading conditions tab.
There is a lot of confusion with the Ask and Bid prices. Mid price is a fine solution as the trading process is easier and the costs lower.
Pros and Cons of Spread in Trading 📊
Pros:
- Enables a better understanding of market dynamics. 📈
- Can result in potentially lower transaction costs with a well-timed trade. ⏳
- Provides insights into market liquidity and volatility. 🔎
Cons:
- May lead to higher transaction costs if not properly managed. 💸
- Requires a deep understanding and close market monitoring. 🕵️♂️
- Changing spreads can add to trading uncertainty. ❓
Key Terms and Definitions in Spread Trading 📚
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Spread | The difference between the buy and sell prices for a particular financial instrument. |
| Fixed Spread | A spread that does not change in response to market conditions. |
| Floating Spread | A spread that changes with volatility and market conditions. |
| Mid Price | The average price between the buy and sell prices, used by platforms like Olymp Trade. |
Summary
The difference between the buy and sell prices for a particular financial instrument is known as the spread. We can distinguish a fixed spread that is not affected by the changing market conditions but may be related to higher costs of transaction and the floating spread where the costs may be lower but the risk higher.
The Olymp Trade platform offers its users Mid price which is the average between the Ask and Bid prices. It reduces confusion, makes the process easier and lowers the costs of transactions.
Wish you a great trading experience with Olymp Trade!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Spread in Trading ❓
- Q: What is the spread in trading?
A: It’s the difference between the buy and sell prices for a particular financial instrument. - Q: What influences the spread?
A: Factors such as volatility, liquidity, and volume can affect the bid-ask spread. - Q: What’s the difference between a fixed spread and a floating spread?
A: A fixed spread doesn’t change with market conditions, while a floating spread adjusts with market volatility and conditions. - Q: What is the mid price on Olymp Trade?
A: It’s the average price between the buy and sell prices, which simplifies the trading process and reduces confusion. - Q: How does the spread affect my trading costs?
A: The spread can influence your transaction costs. If not well-managed, the spread might result in higher transaction costs.