Market Information
TERMS
Tick Value is the cash value of one minimum price movement of the relevant market. Changes in account profit and loss, and margin are calculated based on the value of the tick.
Trade Size varies according to market conditions, equity balance and by market. The indicative minimum and maximum trading sizes per asset are included in the document as well as the size of a standard lot for each product. Trading in micro lots is allowed on the Standard Account.
Spreads on ALB’s trading platforms are among the most competitive in the market. ALB will ensure every effort to achieve the target and minimum spreads indicated in the information sheets. Spreads may vary and widen depending on the underlying market liquidity.
FINANCING & COMMISSIONS
Cost of Trades
If a client holds a position overnight (i.e. after closing at 2300 CET), including on weekends and public holidays, the Trading account will be debited or credited to cover the Cost of funding (Cost).
CFDs
When holding long (buy) trading positions on CFDs, clients will normally pay the Cost and therefore the trading account will be debited. When holding short (sell) trading positions on CFDs, clients will normally earn the Cost and therefore the trading account will be credited.
Forex CFDs
If a client is long the currency with the higher interest rate, the account will normally be credited the Cost. If a client is short the currency with the higher interest rate, the account will normally be debited the Cost.
Cost Charge Calculation–Forex CFDs
Swap rates are calculated using 1 day interest rate differentials for the two currencies that make up an FX pair.
Long Position Cost = Quantity x Swap rate x (-1)
Example:
Long 500,000 EUR/USD on EUR based account
Cost = 500,000 x (-0.000015) x (-1) = 7.50 USD
To convert to account currency: EUR/USD = 1.0690
Cost = 7.5 / 1.0690 = 7.02 EUR
Short Position Cost = Quantity x Swap rate
Example:
Short 100,000 GBP/USD on USD based account
Cost = 100,000 x (0.000029) = 2.9 USD
ALB Limited applies a triple swap on Wednesday 2300 CET for weekend rollovers with some exceptions to this rule:
Triple swap rollovers are applied on Thursday 2300 CET for USD/CAD, USD/TRY and USD/RUB
Commissions–How it Works
For CFDs, clients will be charged a commission based on the size of trade per round trip.
Commission = Number of contracts x commission rate
Example:
Long 10 contracts of UKOIL
Commission rate = 10$ per round trip per contract
Commission = 10 x 10 = $100
MARGIN REQUIREMENTS
Trading CFDs on margin offers the opportunity to traders to only deposit a small percentage of the value of the trade. By leveraging trades, trading profit or losses are amplified compared to the potential return had they been required to invest the total face value.
Margin is provided by the trader before trades are executed and it is suggested that clients place additional margin to cover potential losses.
Margin limits the risk for both the client and the broker. It guarantees market participants are able to honour their obligation to the trade.
ALB Minimum Margin Requirements
With ALB Limited, margin requirements may vary according to the product type. Please refer to our homepage under Our Competitive Spreads for details.
Margin Calls
All CFD trades are monitored in real-time. Traders will receive a “Margin Call” if the equity on the trading account equals or falls below 100% of the margin used on the open trades. In the case of a STOP OUT, ALB will liquidate part of or all Open positions on the client’s account if the equity equals or falls below 50% of the used margin.
The Following is an example in real trading conditions of a Margin call.
Margin requirement depends on the leverage of the instrument – 1:30 or 1:100; and the USD value of the position.
For example, the USD value of a 100,000 AUD/USD (“Standard-Lot” or 1.0 Lot) position bought at price of 1.1000 will be:
100,000 X 1.1000= USD110,000. With a margin requirement of 3.33% (1:30 leverage) The cost of this trade is USD3,666.66 to open the position.
As the AUD strengthens from 1.10 to 1.11 against the USD, the notional profit will be: 100,000 X 1.1100=USD111,000 less USD 100,000 X 1.1000=USD110,000 equal to USD1000.
As the AUD weakens from 1.10 to 1.09 against the USD, the notional loss will be:100,000 X 1.1000=USD110,000 less USD 100,000 X 1.0900=USD109,000 equal to USD1000.
In order to keep this position open, the trader must ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover marked to market losses.
In the example above each 1 point change in the price of AUD/USD results in a USD10 change in equity. If the client holds a losing position and the equity on the trader’s account reaches 100% of the margin used, the client receives a margin call. Here the margin call will be reached when the equity is USD 3,666.66 (100% x 3,666.66 = USD 3,666.66).
With the same example, and a margin requirement of 1.0% (1:100 leverage), the cost of this trade is USD 1,100 (100,000 x 1.1000 = USD110,000 x 1% = USD 1,100)
Margin call is at USD 1,100 (100% x 1,100 = USD 1,1100)
Trading on margin involves substantial risk. CFD trading is highly speculative and may incur significant risk of loss; using a high degree of ‘leverage’ can work in your favour as well as against you due to fluctuating market conditions. Before engaging in trading using leverage, please make sure you have read and understood the rules and conditions.
† Leverage of 1:100 can be offered to professional clients upon request
DEPOSITS & WITHDRAWALS
Our focus is customer service and satisfaction, that’s why we provide simple, hassle-free withdrawal and deposit options.
All client funds deposited with ALB are fully segregated from the company’s own funds and are kept in separate bank accounts. This ensures that funds belonging to clients cannot be used for any other purpose. Our interim and annual financial reports are audited by Price Waterhouse Coopers, a leading global financial auditor, ensuring that our operations are conducted to the highest possible standards.
Compensation
ALB Limited is a member of the Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS).
The Investor Compensation Scheme is a rescue fund for customers of failed investment firms which are licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority. The Scheme can only pay compensation if a licensed investment firm is unable or likely to be unable to pay claims against it. In general, this is when the licensed firm stops trading or becomes insolvent. The Scheme is based on the EU Directive 97/9 on investor-compensation schemes.
More information about the Investor Compensation Scheme is available from www.compensationschemes.org.mt
TRADING CONDITIONS
To review the product spesifications please see the trading conditions ▸ 
