Broker to Trading

CFDs are based on underlying markets, which are mostly real but sometimes algorithmic. If the market can be traded or is traded on weekends, then weekend CFD trading may be possible.

CFDs are contracts between the client and the provider which allow the client to trade markets without owning them. CFDs are closely based on the underlying market. Thus, the market hours for CFDs mirror the market hours for the underlying market. For example, the Forex market is open continuously from late Sunday to Friday (GMT), thus Forex CFDs can be available to trade from Sunday to Friday.

Some underlying markets are open continuously. For example, the Cryptocurrency market is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Thus, CFDs based on Cryptos may be offered at weekends as well as weekdays. However, CFD providers do not necessarily offer CFDs on weekends. If they do, there is typically a short break at the weekend for maintenance.

Some providers offer CFDs based on algorithmic markets (for example, Synthetic Indices). These are markets that are computer programs simulating different types or conditions of markets, for example. They are not based on real markets and therefore can be traded 24/7. Synthetic Indices simulate different types of markets, for example, rising markets or falling markets, as well as conditions such as different levels of volatility.

It is the case that traders may use different means to try and find markets with different levels of volatility or bull or bear markets (for example, using an indicator), but it is impossible to select a CFD based on a real market which has these characteristics preset (volatility can change, and rising or falling markets may alter direction in unexpected ways).

However, a Synthetic Indices CFD which has a given characteristic is not necessarily any easier to trade. One can consider that low volatility markets, for example, present challenges when trading, as do higher volatility markets and bull or bear markets. The trader can still aim to avoid or embrace market conditions that can suddenly appear in other CFDs based on real markets.

An issue with trading is that one may enter a market aiming to trade for a certain type of volatility, but then a very different kind of volatility presents itself, turning a sedate market, for example, into a sea of fractured movement (but steps can be taken to try and avoid such events, for example, by consulting an economic calendar). Synthetic Indices at least aim to provide a way to avoid this type of outcome.

Trading markets open during the week, and weekends present their own challenges, as it may become impossible to switch off and take a break. Weekends can be a good time to reflect on the past week's trading and try out new strategies on a demo account. A range of providers offering different types of weekend CFD trading is provided on this page. For those who want to focus on the MetaTrader platform, there is also MetaTrader weekend trading.