Cost of rollovers

[psycho]

The last time I discussed rollovers with IG support, I was told that it was cheaper to do an auto rollover as the spread was halved instead of manually rolling over.  However, my current rollovers in the gold contract seem to have been made at the full spread.  Could you please advise why?

Also, how close to the futures expiry date is the next contract available to trade?

Thanks in  advance.

[psycho]

To my horror, I have been told that this is no longer the case and the contract is rolled over at the current spread.  I have to then wonder what the advantage of automatic rollovers are; especially considering the fact you don't even get an email reminder when the rollovers are to take place and have no idea at what price.  Surely any sensible trader would take it upon him/herself to manage the rollover?

[Guest John]

16 hours ago, psycho said:

To my horror, I have been told that this is no longer the case and the contract is rolled over at the current spread.  I have to then wonder what the advantage of automatic rollovers are; especially considering the fact you don't even get an email reminder when the rollovers are to take place and have no idea at what price.  Surely any sensible trader would take it upon him/herself to manage the rollover?

Although if you hold trades for a few weeks during a trend means needing to roll over though, on spot metals, commodities when its not possible to buy the underlying.   

I agree the roll over at full spread makes no sense, (you are paying for the borrowing), not to buy and sell every day. Seems like an extra way to slide in charges ........