"I was wondering why you use spread betting? is it just the tax advantage? and why IGindex? What about cfd's?

I thought one of the problems with spread betting is that you can end up trading against the spread betting company, which inevitably leads to losses for oneself and gains for the company?

David Fuller's view The absence of CGT on spread betting in a few countries, including the UK, is an important point. However spread betting losses cannot be offset against profits elsewhere.

Spread betting firms claim that they hedge large positions, as one would hope. They also have a commercial interest in successful clients. The spread, which is the equivalent of a commission for customers, are competitive for actively traded markets. Most people who trade shares actively prefer CFDs to spread bets.

I use IG Index for trading because I have had a client relationship with the firm since it opened. I knew the founding managers, lectured for them on occasion in previous decades, and believe that the firm remains well managed and well financed.

For the record, I am just another customer for IG Index and have no other relationship with the firm.

For my personal investments, I use both a conventional broker and an online broker.