During Easter, markets and exchanges around the world are closed at certain times. Global Trading’s operating hours over this period are given below. Please note that even during these hours some markets and exchanges may not be available.
FX and Metals Schedule*
| DATE | FX | FX METALS |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | Closed | Closed |
*May be subject to change, depending on liquidity providers and venues.
Stocks and Stock Options
Futures and Options
CFDs on Futures
CFD Index Tracker
April 2019 New Products & Platform Updates
Product Updates & Enhancements
New product overview in GTS and GTS Pro
In April, we will be launching a major upgrade to the Product Overview pages in GTS and these pages will be made available in GTS Pro.
The overview pages will continue to offer an in-depth overview of the instrument selected in the watchlist, positions list, order list or through the global search function in the platform.
Summary
The Summary tab will continue to offer market overview for the instrument and can include:
- -market depth (for exchange traded instruments)
- -a simple range chart showing price movements for a selected period
- -Trade Signals (from Autochartist)
- -news
More sections with more information are planned in the near future.
Combination orders for Exchange Traded Options in GTS and GTS Pro
In April, we will launch an Option Strategies trade ticket in the GTS desktop and GTS PRO platforms offering multi-leg exchange-traded option trades.
The new Option Strategies module:
- -offers a choice of common option strategies
- -supports custom strategies with up to 4 legs
- -will be launched from the option chain
- -will initially support US listed options
- -supports configurable columns for Greeks and market data
New Net FX Exposures module in GTS Pro – from April
In April, we will be launching a new FX Exposures module in TraderPRO which will give a detailed breakdown of your net FX exposures by currency.
The FX Exposures module will be available from the TraderPRO Menu as a module that you can dock in your workspace.
FX Exposures shows a breakdown of net position by currency for a selected account or group of accounts.
The columns show your net FX exposures:
- -by currency
- -in your account currency a
- -in USD
Customizable columns offer sorting by currency, exposure in account currency or exposure in USD. Exposures can be itemized by trade, P/L and cash components of the exposure.
The FX Exposure module also displays your exposure limit for each exposure currency the % utilization, and your total FX Net Open Position (NOP) exposure limits.
Advanced search – available from April
From April, an enhancement to the search will be available allowing you to refine searches by for example product, currency, country and sector and will allow you to sort results by product, popularity or alphabetically.
The down arrow on search fields will give access to the Advanced search options which allow you to filter results by:
- -Product (FX, FX Options, CFD indices, CFD Stocks etc.)
- -Currency (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)
- -FX category (Majors, Minors, Exotics)
- -Country (for exchange listed products, Mutual Funds and Bonds)
- -Sector (for stocks, futures and CFDs)
- -Type (bonds, mutual funds, ETFs)
Results can further be sorted by:
- -Popularity (default option)
- -Product
- -Alphabetically
New chart feature
2- and 3-minute chart intervals are now available on charts in the TraderGO and TraderPRO platforms.
These can be added to the Period selector in charts by clicking the Customize link in the selector.
Operational Changes
Equity Research services discontinued
As previously announced, Equity Research will be discontinued in April 2019 and the Equity Research and Stock Screeners will be removed from all platforms.
Please contact [email protected] if you have further questions about these changes.
New equity risk rating model
EFFECTIVE: Sun, 10 March 2019 at 12:00 GMT
We are implementing a new equity risk rating model on the March 10th. These changes will impact single stock CFDs and short stock option position margin requirements, and where applicable, the collateral for cash shares/ETF positions.
You should be able to see all the scheduled changes and how they could impact current positions in the platform’s ‘Margin Monitor’ tool. The tool can be accessed via the ‘Info’ icon, under ‘Account Summary’.
Clients that could have been exposed to a large margin usage swing have been contacted individually.
If you have any questions, please send us an email at [email protected]
February 2019 New Products & Platform Updates
Product Updates & Enhancements
FX trailing stop order handling
From 19 December 2018 we have implemented a small but significant change to the way that we handle FX trailing stop orders.
- -Trailing stop if offered orders to sell will now follow the bid price (previously they followed the offer). They will continue to be triggered on the offer price.
- -Trailing stop if bid orders to buy, will now follow the offer price (previously they followed the bid). They will continue to be triggered on the bid price.
Previously, where a trailing stop if offered order to sell followed the offer price, spread widening would result in the stop order being dragged higher by a temporary spike. When the spread returned to normal levels, the stop order would then be triggered resulting in unexpected trailing stop behaviour.
We have therefore made this small change to protect clients from unexpected order fills as result of spread widening around market volatility or market opening e.g. Sunday open.
New chart features
Extra bars
Extra Bars is a useful new feature that allows you to create space between last updated bar or candle and the y-axis, adding space for projecting annotations into the future.
You can add space from chart configuration menu available from the right-click menu (desktop) or the chat settings icon.
Annotation persistence across chart windows
Chart annotations are now remembered for each instrument and will be available whenever you open a new chart for the instrument.
If you have several instances of a chart open for the same instrument, the most recent changes to the chart annotations will be used.
Time range persistence when zooming
If you zoom or pan in the chart, the chart now persists the time range if you close and reopen the platform, detach the chart or select another instrument. If I pan the chart to show a time range of 2016 – 2017 for example, opening a new instrument in the chart will show the time range 2016 – 2017.
Click on the Reset icon 
to quickly reset to the time range selected.
Improved Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) indicator (9th February)
The calculation behind the Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) indicator will be improved to more accurately display the average weighted price by volume – the value of all trades in a trading session divided by trading volume.
VWAP is similar to a moving average with a lagging indicator used on intraday time periods only. Contrary to the moving average, VWAP accumulates volume throughout the trading session.
VWAP can be used to compare the current price to the VWAP value to determine the general direction for the instrument – if current price is below the VWAP line prices are falling, if above prices are rising.
X-axis time period colour separator (9th February)
To improve the readability you will be able to add colours to the x-axis to make it easier to quickly identify different trading periods.
Go add colours to the time period under Chart Configuration > Lines and Colours the check the Time period colour separator checkbox
Simple order types in GTS Web
From February, an option will be available in the Trade Ticket when placing orders, allowing you to simplify the order types, hiding complex order types and limiting the list to Market, Limit and Stop orders used by most clients.
Design updates
A number of design updates to GTS Mobile will be released in the coming months. In close contact with clients, we have been making a number of usability improvements to the mobile trader. Most notably we will increase the font sizes and certain navigation buttons and icons to improve legibility and navigation.
Font sizes will also be increased on GTS Mobile on the desktop.
A number of enhancements will soon be released in the GTS Pro platform allowing traders to more efficiently navigate the platform using the keyboard.
FX stop order simplification
From February 2019, FX stop orders will be simplified where Stop if Bid and Stop if Offered will be labelled Stop orders throughout the platform in trade confirmations and order and position lists. Similarly, Trailing stop if Bid and Trailing Stop if Offered orders will be labelled Trailing Stop orders.
These orders will continue to be placed and triggered in the same way.
Operational Changes
Mandatory event notifications and corporate actions on Bonds
To provide better service clients, we are happy to announce that from 4th February 2019:
Notifications on mandatory corporate events
Corporate Action Notifications will be provided on mandatory events for Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds.
Clients can access this information under Account > Other > Corporate Action Mandatory Events. Events will be shown until their Ex date/effective date + 30 days.
Equity Research services discontinued
Equity Research available through the platforms will be discontinued in April 2019.
We are working on a replacement for this service which will be available before the Equity Research is retired.
Spot metal XPDUSD to be discontinued
Due to a deterioration in the underlying liquidity available in XPDUSD, we are no longer able to support trading in Palladium/USD.
From Monday 21 January 2019 clients are no longer be able to open new positions in XPDUSD and by Friday 15 February 2019 all existing positions must be closed. After this date, we will close all open positions and cancel any open orders on your behalf.
Please note that should you wish to gain exposure to Palladium, we continue to offer trading of Palladium CFDs and Palladium (PA) Futures.
Please contact [email protected] if you have further questions about these changes.
New standard margin rates as of 21 November 2018
Dear client,
On Wednesday 21 of November 2018 at 08:00 GMT we will be implementing new standard margin rates for FX and CFDs. These margin rates will remain in effect until further notice.
These margin rates will remain in effect until further notice, as we continue to monitor the geopolitical and market situation closely.
What will the margin rates be?
The following tables gives you an overview of the affected instruments on your account.
FX
| FX | Current minimum margin | Minimum margin from 21 November |
|---|---|---|
| SEK | 2.5% | 3.0% |
| RUB | 7% | 7.5% |
CFDs
| Index Tracker CFDs | Current minimum margin | Minimum margin from 21 November |
|---|---|---|
| EU Stocks 50 | 3% | 4% |
| Swiss 20 | 3% | 4% |
| France 40 | 3% | 4% |
| Netherlands 25 | 3% | 4% |
| Germany 30 | 3% | 4% |
Commodity CFDs
| Commodity CFDs CFDs | Current minimum margin | Minimum margin from 21 November |
|---|---|---|
| NY Cocoa | 5% | 8% |
| Cotton | 4% | 5% |
| Soybeans | 4% | 5% |
| Silver | 8% | 5% |
| Gasoline US | 8% | 5% |
| UK Gas Oil | 8% | 5% |
| Heating Oil | 8% | 5% |
You can check the upcoming changes to margin rates and collateral requirements for your respective margin profile in the trading platform under ‘Account – Margin and Collateral’.
Margin Monitor Feature
Since Monday 22 October, the new ‘Margin Monitor’ feature is be available in GTS Web and GTS Pro, to complement the existing Margin and Collateral changes module. This provides an overview of the positions that are affected by margin changes, and shows the current and the simulated margin after all changes have been applied.
Access to the Margin Monitor
The Margin Monitor will be available through an icon on the Account Toolbar (on the Account Summary in GTS Pro). The Margin Monitor is also available in My Account.
How does this impact your trading?
If you have open positions in any of the affected markets, please ensure that you monitor your positions carefully and maintain sufficient funds in your account to meet the increased margin requirements during this period of turmoil.
We recommend you keep the following in mind, especially when trading during periods of potential market volatility:
- Consider placing relevant resting orders in advance. Market liquidity may vary substantially, and trade/quote requests may be unavailable at times as existing resting orders and new market orders are filled as priority
- Market orders are not guaranteed to be filled at any specific price – they will be filled “at best” according to available market price when processed
- Stop Loss orders are converted to Market orders once triggered, so are not guaranteed to be filled at your stop order level – gaps in available liquidity can result in significant slippage on Stop orders
- Using Stop Limit type orders (rather than Stop Market) can be very beneficial as they allow the client to specify the worst acceptable immediate fill rate after triggering, and they will rest in the order book if not able to be filled immediately
- Buying options (i.e. puts to protect long positions and calls to protect short positions) could be a hedging vehicle suitable for market uncertainty since they offer protection at the fixed Strike price, rather than Stop orders where fills on gapped prices can occur
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
New standard margin rates for CFDs from 2 November 2018
Dear client,
On Friday 2 November 2018 at 08:00 GMT we will be implementing new standard margin rates for CFDs, as a result of the continued uncertainty surrounding the Brexit negotiations.
These margin rates will remain in effect until further notice, as we continue to monitor the geopolitical and market situation closely.
What will the margin rates be?
The following table gives you an overview of the affected instruments on your account.
CFDs
| CFDs | Minimum margin from 2 November |
|---|---|
| UK 100 | 5% |
| EU Stocks 50 | 4% |
| Swiss 20 | 4% |
| France 40 | 4% |
| Netherlands 25 | 4% |
| Germany 30 | 4% |
You can check the upcoming changes to margin rates and collateral requirements for your respective margin profile in the trading platform under ‘Account – Margin and Collateral’ from Friday 19 October 2018 and onwards.
Margin Monitor Feature
From Monday 22 October, a new ‘Margin Monitor’ feature will be available in GTS Web and GTS Pro, to complement the existing Margin and Collateral changes module. This gives you an overview of the positions that are affected by margin changes, and shows the current and simulated margin after all changes have been applied.
Access to the Margin Monitor
The Margin Monitor will be available through an icon on the Account Toolbar (on the Account Summary in GTS Pro). The Margin Monitor is also available in My Account.
How does this impact your trading?
If you have open positions in any of the affected markets, please ensure that you monitor your positions carefully and maintain sufficient funds in your account to meet the increased margin requirements during this period of turmoil.
We recommend you keep the following in mind, especially when trading during periods of potential market volatility:
- Consider placing relevant resting orders in advance. Market liquidity may vary substantially, and trade/quote requests may be unavailable at times as existing resting orders and new market orders are filled as priority
- Market orders are not guaranteed to be filled at any specific price – they will be filled “at best” according to available market price when processed
- Stop Loss orders are converted to Market orders once triggered, so are not guaranteed to be filled at your stop order level – gaps in available liquidity can result in significant slippage on Stop orders
- Using Stop Limit type orders (rather than Stop Market) can be very beneficial as they allow the client to specify the worst acceptable immediate fill rate after triggering, and they will rest in the order book if not able to be filled immediately
- Buying options (i.e. puts to protect long positions and calls to protect short positions) could be a hedging vehicle suitable for market uncertainty since they offer protection at the fixed Strike price, rather than Stop orders where fills on gapped prices can occur
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
October 2018 New Products & Platform Updates
GTS desktop and tablet ticket upgrades
During the month of October, we will be updating the trade and order tickets available in GTS for desktop and tablet, aligning the platforms with the current ticket offerings in GTS Mobile and GTS Pro.
Keyboard controls for GTS and GTS Pro
We now have keyboard controls in grids which have been focused on (i.e. active window in GTS Pro or part of the workspace that has been clicked on with the mouse).
- Cursor up and down will move up and down items in selected grid
- Page up and down will work as expected
- Same for HOME and END keys
- ENTER will trigger primary action in same manner as mouse double click and launch:
- Trade Ticket from Watchlist
- Modify order ticket from Orders blotter
- Close position dialogue from Positions grid
- Trade Ticket from Closed positions grid
Removal of Dow Jones and S&P stock indices subscription after June 30th 2018
EFFECTIVE: Jul 01st 2018
Please be advised that we are no longer going to be supporting Dow Jones and S&P stock indices subscription due to substantial increases in pricing associated with offering this subscription.
IMPORTANT: These are just the non-tradable stock indices, not exchanges. All US equities and derivatives and the DJIA and S&P Index derivatives, such as options on these indices currently offered in the platform will still be tradable.
Subscription to be removed
Current view of the instruments
Please contact trading support ([email protected]) if you have any further questions about these changes.
Introduction to Carrying Costs and Holding Fee
EFFECTIVE DATE: AUG 1ST, 2017
The global standards on bank capital (the Basel agreements) set stronger prudential rules for banks to keep sufficient capital reserves and liquidity to make them even more solid. These regulatory requirements are increasing the cost of holding the client’s positions and conducting business in Futures, Listed Options, and Expiring CFDs.
Therefore, as of August 1st, 2017, we will be introducing the following:
- Carrying Cost on Futures, Listed Options, and Expiring CFDs
- Holding Fee on bought Listed Options (above 120 days maturity)
Carrying Cost on Futures, Listed Options and Expiring CFDs
Overnight positions in Futures, Listed Options and Expiring CFDs will be subject to a carrying cost. The carrying cost will be calculated on the basis of the daily margin requirement and applied when a position is held overnight.
The funding rate used for calculating the carrying cost is based in the relevant Interbank-rate + markup (e.g. 150 bps).
Carrying Cost = Margin requirement * Holding time * (Relevant Interbank rate + Markup) / (365 or 360 days)
EXAMPLE: You BUY 1 Futures Contract in E-mini S&P 500 with a margin requirement of USD 5,500 and hold the position for 5 days.
| Nominal Value | 115,000 USD |
| Margin Requirement: | 5,500 USD |
| Holding time: | 5 days |
| 1M USD LIBOR rate: | 1.00% |
| Markup: | 1.50% |
| Carrying cost: | 5,500 * 5 * (1.00%+1.50%) / 360 = 1.91 USD |
Holding Fee on Long Positions in Listed Options
From 1 August 2017, a Holding Fee on bought long dated Listed Options will apply.
The Holding Fee varies depending on the underlying asset class (Category) and will only apply to bought options with maturity beyond 120 days.
The fee will be calculated based on the below schedule and charged end-of-month.
| Bought Options daily holding fees per million (Nominal Value) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Interest Rates | Foreign-exchange rates and Gold | Equities | Precious metals, except gold | Commodities, except precious metals |
| <120 days maturity | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| >120 days maturity | 0.10 | 0.70 | 1.10 | 1.00 | 1.60 |
Holding Fee per day = Nominal Value / 1,000,000 * Underlying Category Fee
EXAMPLE: You BUY 1 PUT Option on Coca-Cola Co, Expiry in 160 days, Strike 40.
| Nominal Value | 4,000 USD (Strike Price * 100 shares) |
| Category: | Equities (>120 days maturity) |
| Fee per million: | 1.10 USD |
| Holding Fee per day: | 4,000 / 1,000,000 * 1.10 = 0.0044 USD |
May 2017 New Products & Platform Updates
Futures Position Management Changes (Reminder)
GTS is moving to FIFO netting on futures positions from:
- 27 May 2017 on the GTS-web platform, and not April 8th as previously communicated
This means that futures trades must be closed in the order they were opened; platform features which allow you to close trades in a different order will be removed:
- Individual trades in a position cannot be closed directly.
- You cannot place related stop and limit order to close specific trades.
Closing positions
To close or reduce a position, traders can place a trade using either the Close button on the position or by placing a trade using the Trade Ticket.
Related orders
Stop loss and take profit orders cannot be related directly to individual trades. Independent stop and limit orders can be placed instead and managed separately to the position if traders manually close a position, they must also manually cancel any orders.
These changes have already taken effect in GTS Pro, as described in last month’s update:
https://europacbank.com/support/april-2017-new-products-platform-updates/
One-Cancels-the-Other (OCO) Order to be added for Futures in GTS
One-Cancels-the-Other (OCO) order type for futures contracts will be added in GTS Pro and GTS-web platform on 27 May 2017, which will allow traders to continue placing Take Profit and Stop Loss futures orders with an OCO link, after the related order functionality for futures has been removed.
The controls for placing the Take Profit and Stop Loss orders can be toggled between a fixed Price or a distance in Percent from the current market price.
Input Field Usability Improvements in GTS
On 27 May 2017, usability improvements will be made around the price control toggle between Pips/Percent/Price in all Take Profit and Stop Loss dialogs.
Currently all available input types – Pips/Percent/Price – are shown in the main dialog. Traders choose which one to use and populate it with a value. The others input types remain empty in the dialog.
In the new dialog, the input type choice is brought up on the same level as Take Profit and Stop Loss. If a trader would want to change between input types (e.g. from Pips to Percent), click on the price control for the drop down arrow to appear and click again to choose another input type.
|
|