Issued by Global Markets Pty Ltd · AFSL · Date of Issue: 1 March 2025 · Version 2.0
This Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is issued by Global Markets Pty Ltd, holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), authorised by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
This PDS contains important information about Contracts for Difference (CFDs) offered by Global Markets. You should read this document carefully and in its entirety before deciding to trade CFDs. If you do not understand this document or are in any doubt, you should seek independent financial advice.
This PDS is not financial advice. We provide execution-only services and do not provide personalised financial advice or recommendations. You are responsible for your own trading decisions.
A Contract for Difference (CFD) is a financial derivative product that allows you to speculate on the price movements of an underlying asset without owning the asset itself. Global Markets offers CFDs on the following asset classes:
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. They are not suitable for everyone. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
CFDs are Over-The-Counter (OTC) products. Global Markets acts as market maker and is the counterparty to all your trades. Prices are set by Global Markets and may differ from exchange prices.
CFD trading involves substantial risk. You should not trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
| Fee Type | Amount | When Charged |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Variable (embedded in price) | On every trade |
| Overnight Swap | Varies by instrument (typically 0.5–2% p.a.) | Each day position held overnight |
| Inactivity Fee | None | Not applicable |
| Deposit Fee | None (bank fees may apply) | On deposit |
| Withdrawal Fee | None | On approved withdrawal |
| Currency Conversion | Up to 0.5% | When converting between currencies |
All fees are subject to change. The spread is the primary cost of trading and is reflected in the difference between the buy and sell price.
Leverage allows you to control a position larger than your deposit. ASIC's product intervention order imposes maximum leverage limits for retail clients to protect against excessive losses.
| Asset Class | Max Leverage (Retail) | Min Margin Required |
|---|---|---|
| Major Forex Pairs | 30:1 | 3.33% |
| Minor Forex / Gold / Major Indices | 20:1 | 5% |
| Commodities / Minor Indices | 10:1 | 10% |
| Equities (Individual Stocks) | 5:1 | 20% |
| Cryptocurrencies | 2:1 | 50% |
If your account equity falls below the margin requirement, your positions may be automatically closed (margin call). Ensure you maintain sufficient funds in your account at all times.
As required by ASIC, Global Markets provides Negative Balance Protection to all retail clients. This means your losses on any individual account cannot exceed the funds deposited in that account. If market movements cause your account balance to go negative, we will reset it to zero at no cost to you. You will never owe Global Markets more than the amount you have deposited.
Note: Negative balance protection applies per account and does not apply to professional clients who have opted out of retail client protections.
As a CFD provider acting as market maker, we have potential conflicts of interest with our clients:
We manage these conflicts by maintaining a conflict of interest policy, ensuring prices are competitive and transparent, and treating client interests fairly.
Tax laws in relation to CFD trading are complex and depend on your personal circumstances, country of residence, and applicable tax jurisdiction. We strongly recommend you seek independent tax advice from a qualified tax professional.
Generally, in Australia, profits from CFD trading may be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) or assessable as ordinary income, depending on the nature of your trading activity. Losses may be deductible. Global Markets does not provide tax advice.
If you have a complaint or dispute, please contact us first through our internal complaints process:
ASIC regulates our activities. You may also contact ASIC at www.asic.gov.au or call 1300 300 630 with enquiries about financial services regulation.
This PDS was prepared by Global Markets Pty Ltd (AFSL). It is current as at the date of issue. The latest version is always available at globalmarkets.fx/pds.