Industry poll shows automated trading is the future of retail CFD and FX markets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 18, 2012 -- The poll, which surveyed sentiment at the Innovation and Algorithmic Trading seminar attended by more than 160 participants from the worlds of trading, technology and academia, confirms trends in the retail FX and CFD markets which show an increasing convergence towards automated trading strategies amongst investors.

Despite this trend, the survey highlighted how only one in four (23%) felt that retail investors are equipped to trade on a par with institutions for FX and CFD trading, showing the void that exists in the current technology and infrastructure available to the retail investor. As retail investors become ever more empowered and confident in their investment strategies, the survey illustrates the need for platforms to cater to their increasingly sophisticated needs.

Highlighting discontent with existing market structure in the FX and CFD markets, the survey also found that a significant proportion (60%) took exception to trading on a platform where a broker takes a position against them, with investors increasingly looking for more transparent and neutral venues to trade.
In addition, 89% of participants revealed that the exchange model is now fundamental to their trading requirements as they search for deep liquidity combined with a neutral service.

Commenting on the survey’s findings, the CEO at LMAX said: "We’ve all known for some time how sophisticated the retail investor has become and the results of this survey show how the man on the street is looking for the tools to trade on a par with institutions. Automated trading is long established in the institutional trading space, and the survey demonstrates just how rapidly the retail FX and CFD trading markets are evolving. With speed of trading and neutrality rising swiftly up the agenda, today's findings offer a telling insight into the future of retail investing.”
Speakers at the conference comprised leading experts in the world of computer trading and technology including Mitul Popat, Department Manager of Equity Options at Optiver, David Cliff, Professor of Computer Science at Bristol University, Peter McBurney, Professor of Computer Science at Kings College London and the CTO at LMAX.

cfd trading     fx trading     online cfd trading     online fx trading