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Understand how ownership, leverage, settlement, and risk differ across three of the world’s most common trading instruments. Spot trading, futures contracts, and contracts for difference (CFDs) all provide exposure to financial markets — but they operate in very different ways. Although each can track the same underlying asset, differences in ownership, settlement, leverage, expiry, and trading venue can significantly affect risk and suitability. Understanding these distincti

Chicago Mercantile Exchange shifted precious metals margining to a percentage-based model while unveiling a lower-cost silver futures contract, signalling a push toward more flexible risk management and greater retail participation. Chicago Mercantile Exchange said Jan. 12 that it will overhaul margin requirements for precious-metals futures, replacing fixed collateral amounts with a percentage-based system tied to contract value and market conditions. Under the revised frame