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Earnings season can be a great time for a trader to get insight on their equity investments, as well as benefit from short-term volatility. But in order to maximize this trading opportunity, there are some key considerations to make before diving in. Read on for our three steps to follow when using earnings reports for trading. 3 STEPS FOR USING EARNINGS REPORTS IN YOUR TRADING Preparing for earnings season involves choosing the companies to focus on and undertaking thorough research on the market before executing the trade. 1) Choose Companies to Focus On The first step is to select the stocks to trade during the period. It is advisable for traders to go for a small number of companies, perhaps stocks with which they are familiar or trade already and find out the dates on which their earnings will be released. Large bellwether stocks are worth investigating, whether one is trading them or not, as their results can impact wider industries. When deciding on the stocks to go for, traders should understand that the relationship between an earnings result and subsequent price reaction is not always straightforward. Although better-than-expected earnings are generally bullish, they do not always translate to immediate price gains and the opposite holds true as well. An example of this can be seen below, with Walmart’s strong earnings in Q3 2018 failing to excite market participants. While encouraging, a quarterly report is more than last quarter’s results compared to expectations. Indeed, analysts are often much more concerned with the future expectations of the firm as price is a forward-looking metric, with future earnings being calculated in current prices. With that in mind, it becomes more reasonable when investors shy away from a stock with strong results for the past quarter, but an abysmal outlook for the future. A weaker outlook can seriously undercut a stock’s current valuation, regardless of past performance, a fact that is realized all too often during earnings season. Read our guide on How to Pick Stocks to choose the right companies for your stocks portfolio. 2) Do Your Research Doing your stock research properly will involve looking at estimated earnings for your chosen stock and how they compare with analysts’ expectations. Also, traders should make sure they look at historical figures to get a feel for how the market has responded to releases in the past. While earnings season is typically thought of in terms what the results mean for a single stock, the season as a whole can also offer important takeaways. Information is offered on a company-specific basis, but common themes can ring true throughout. Headwinds like coronavirus, geopolitical tension, regulatory uncertainty or cyclicality can combine to form a wave of worries across a sector if cited often enough. Traders should investigate how such headwinds impact one sector or stock compared to others. For example, while a great many industries suffered during the coronavirus outbreak, March 2020 saw Greece-based tanker vessel operator Top Ships Inc (TOPS) experience a surge in product demand in areas such as cleaning supplies and paper products leading to increased shipping requirements. This in turn created higher trading volume and volatility. The effect of headwinds has also been witnessed, for example, with Brexit as companies delay capital expenditures until a post-Brexit order is established and the business environment is stable. Similarly, frequent mentions of trade-related headwinds have worked to undermine a variety of sectors from semiconductors to consumer staples in the US amid the US-China trade war, evidenced in the chart above by the surging mentions of ‘tariff’ in earnings reports for companies in the S&P 500. While these issues may not doom a stock to negative returns singlehandedly (as the TOPS example demonstrates), their appearance across an entire market can hint at their pervasiveness and the broader downward pressure they can exert on outlooks and valuations. Consequently, traders should monitor common complaints among corporations as it may help inform their broader macroeconomic strategy as anecdotal evidence builds to form a tangible threat to the broader index. 3) Formulate a Trading Strategy – and Follow It Formulating a trading strategy for earnings season should include methodology for entry and exits, profit goals, time spent trading and a risk management plan. Trading earnings reports is difficult and risky. For some, trading around the event may not suit their risk profile. As such, any position taken should be adequately hedged and include a stop. That said, volatility can create unique circumstances, ripe with opportunity for a few specific strategies. When formulating a strategy for earnings season, traders should be aware that quarterly earnings are capable of seriously uprooting an ongoing price trend due to their relative infrequency and importance. This causes traders to position for severe price swings – evidenced by heightened implied volatility. Since it is exceedingly difficult for the average investor to correctly forecast how the company will perform – never mind the eventual impact on its share price - the risk-reward of entering a position immediately prior to a report can be skewed. If an investment vehicle of choice is impacted by implied volatility, the effect on the position can be particularly acute because implied volatility remains high until the results are released but typically collapses quickly afterward resulting in what is known as ‘IV Crush’. IV Crush is, as the name would suggest, when the implied volatility of a stock drops significantly, usually because the uncertainty has passed. The abrupt reversal in implied volatility is often accompanied by realized volatility, but not always. The discrepancy between implied and realized volatility allows for some unique trading strategies like straddles and strangles which seek to capitalize on absolute volatility of option contracts or short straddles and strangles which aim to capitalize on IV crush. Straddles Straddles involve buying both the call (buy) and the put (sell) option simultaneously with the same strike price (the fixed price at which the holder of an option can buy or sell), and the same expiration date. When applied to earnings, traders might straddle before the release and can profit from either a rise or fall in the stock’s price, as long as the stock’s price deviates from the strike price by an amount more than the total cost of the premium. This could potentially make a straddle a viable choice if traders think absolute volatility will be high but aren’t sure of the direction the move will take. The chart below shows Apple’s August 2019 earnings release prompt more trading and higher absolute volatility, as shown by the Volume and Average True Range indicators respectively, representing an example of a potentially favorable outcome for a straddle. A short straddle involves selling both the call and put options with the same strike price and expiration date. This move is often suited to ‘IV crush’ instances when the trader believes the price will not move too much over the course of the options contract. Strangles Strangles are similar to straddles, and can likewise have a long and short route. But while straddles have the same strike price for the call and put options, strangles have different strike prices. Strangles may potentially be a viable choice if the trader believes a stock has more chance of moving in one direction than the other following an earnings report, but still seeks protection if the position takes a contrary swing. TRADING EARNINGS SEASON: KEY TAKEAWAYS When trading earning season, there may well be a period of uncertainty and extreme volatility ahead. This makes picking the right stock, thorough background research and intelligent risk management key to navigating the period as planned – as well as implementing the right trading strategy. With these things in place, traders can maximize their chance of success and hopefully carry some key knowledge over to the next earning season. MORE ON EQUITIES AND STOCK TRADING Hungry for more information about equities? Make sure you check out our stock market section for comprehensive guidance on how to navigate this asset class, including: Beginner’s Guide to Stock Trading Types of Stocks How to Invest in Dividend Stocks DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets. DISCLOSURES Peter Hanks & Ben Lobel 19 July 2021

Find out what to expect from Tesla’s earnings results, how they will affect Tesla share price, and how to trade Tesla’s earnings. Source: Bloomberg Shares Tesla, Inc. Price Profit Tesla Volatility When is Tesla’s results date? Tesla announced that it will release its latest figures for quarter two (Q2) of 2021 on Monday, 26 July after market closes. Tesla share price: forecasts from Q2 results Based on Q2 deliveries, whose figures were released earlier this month, it was a record that was roughly within Wall Street estimates on a total of 201,250 vehicles delivered and production at 206,421. From a profit point of view, the issue is that 99% of those deliveries were made up of Model 3 and Y, less than 1% being the high-margin Model S and X models. And while newer versions of the latter two are expected to positively factor into future earnings, for the time being, traders and investors will have to settle with low-margin models to formulate the Q2 earnings story. There have been price increases over the past quarter in an attempt to offset supply chain pressures that included raw materials price increases and chip shortages. And while higher prices and deliveries should translate into higher revenue, overcoming tested profit margins will also be noted. Difficulties in China not just on the regulatory front but also from domestic competition, deliveries rebounding in May and June from April’s slump. There’s also exposure to crypto volatility, which last time around might have been a positive on bitcoin prices surging, but could be in for a bit more pain this time around given prices are considerably lower (roughly half its record $64,900 highs). Reliance on regulatory credits to take earnings into the green will wane as competitors aggressively tackle the electric vehicle (EV) market. But aside from the updates on its latest products, model updates, and production plans, in the end it’s about the numbers, and expectations are for an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.96, and where revenue will nearly double last year’s $6.04 billion at $11.21 billion given the delivery and price increases. Targets continue to vary significantly when it comes to Tesla share prices, the average though close to where its current market price is hovering near. Recommendations are also across the board, but average out to a hold with slight upside bias (source: finance.yahoo.com). Trading Tesla’s Q2 results: technical overview and trading strategies Technicals are of far less relevance when it comes to fundamental events that can take prices past key levels with ease, and the technical overview thus far has been consolidatory as prices oscillate staying above its main weekly long-term moving averages but where other key technical indicators are primarily neutral, an average directional movement index (ADX) no longer showing a propensity to trend in that time frame. On a normal day, those looking to trade conforming to the technical overview might consider reversals (initiating a buy strategy after the fist support is broken only if prices manage to recover to that level, or initiating a sell position after the first resistance level is breached first and only if prices come back down to that level), given fading a volatile move will result in getting stopped out with ease. Those expecting a breakout and for the current technical overview to fail can consider breakout strategies when prices reach those levels to capitalise on a potential move to a new zone. Source: IG Tesla daily chart with retail sentiment Source: IG charts IG client sentiment* and short interest for Tesla shares When it comes to client sentiment, it’s been a consistent heavy buy bias, the latest at 74% and below extreme buy 87% bias back in June as longs got enticed into closing out on the lift off of its previous short-term support level at around $540. As for short interest, it’s considerably less than what it was at around the same time last year, when the figure was above 60 million. As of 30 June it was nearly half that amount, at 34,093,281, and is 4.4% of the shares floated, and dropping from 39,363,717 two weeks before that (source: shortsqueeze.com). Source: IG *The percentage of IG client accounts with positions in this market that are currently long or short. Calculated to the nearest 1%, as of today morning 8am for the outer circle. Inner circle is from the previous trading day. Chris Beauchamp | Chief Market Analyst, London 16 July 2021

Hi @kakchew106, You can see your deposits in My IG > Live accounts > History. All the best - Arvin

Hi @Sydneysider, You will receive a end of financial year statement by the end of July if you received dividends in the previous financial year. Otherwise, you can use the different filters in My IG > Live accounts > History. All the best - Arvin

Hi @krader, There is a partnership between IG and TastyTrade, for any information on this topic please reach out to TastyTrade directly on this page https://www.tastytrade.com/contact-us. All the best - Arvin

Hi @PaulF, You can find all the details about Pre-Market and After-hours trading on this page. Most AU traders can only trade the US stock market's from 23.30 to 06.00 AEST, but with our extended hours you can trade for much longer. CFDs on All Session US shares: 6pm to 10am Monday to Thursday, and 6pm Friday to 7am Saturday AEST Share trading on All Session US shares: 9pm to 7:30am Monday to Thursday, and 9pm Friday to 7am Saturday AEST These are most of the shares available : I hope that it helps. All the best - Arvin

Hi @Stuharps333 @kaisiva, You will need to reach out to 0800 195 3100 or helpdesk.uk@ig.com to check if any additional information is required to trade ETFs. @Inter, Please reach out to 0800 195 3100 or helpdesk.uk@ig.com with your account details. The helpdesk will be able to access your account and check why your position was closed. All the best - Arvin

Hi @kyleOOO, For assistance or update on your account application, please reach out to accountopening.en@ig.com. They will be able to advise what happened with your documents and what is required to complete the application. All the best - Arvin

Hi Jonah, We are sorry to hear that you had issues with your account. The best way to get prompt assistance on such matter, I would recommend call our helpdesk on 0800 195 3100. All the best - Arvin

Hi David, If you type in the actual code or just "GE." the only result will be General Electric Co. As we offer more than 17000 markets we need to have a larger set of results, but adding the dot will narrow down the research. I hope that it helps. All the best - Arvin

Hi, It seems that your application is not completed yet, therefore you won't be able to deposit funds or trade yet. For updates on your application please reach out to accountopening.en@ig.com. All the best - Arvin

With world economies slowly emerging from the devastation wrought by the pandemic, we look at some of the industries that could play a key role in the recovery, and pick five stocks to keep an eye on. Source: Bloomberg Indices Shares Commodities Investment Compass Group National Express What's on this page? 1. Recovery investment trends 2. What industries are shaping the economy reopening? 3. Top 5 recovery stocks: our analysts’ choice 4. How to trade or invest in recovery stocks Recovery investment trends According to our chief market analyst, Chris Beauchamp, a key phrase to keep in mind when thinking about recovery stocks is ‘a return to normality’. Overall, the argument is that as the dust settles from lockdowns, market uncertainty and immense supply chain disruptions, the pre-Covid patterns of demand may begin to re-establish themselves. Additionally, governmental stimulus packages in influential economies – like the US and those of Europe and Asia – will likely spur investor and consumer spending. This could result in an increased aggregate demand for goods and services. What industries are shaping the economy reopening? Although by no means an exhaustive list, the following industries could benefit from the much-anticipated lifting of restrictions: Mining: as aggregate demand begins to pick up, economies will consume higher amounts of input materials Banking: in combination with government stimulus packages, renewed consumer and investor confidence could lead to an increased demand for banking products and services Catering and support services: with people returning to work and countries reopening to public gatherings and events, the hospitality and support industry could once again see strong returns Alcoholic beverages: eased restrictions around alcohol sales and venues will likely result in a surge in demand – most especially in emerging markets Transport: while commuter travel should intensify as normal work routines begin to re-emerge, travel for the purposes of tourism may also see a period of growth as people are once again allowed to travel freely within national boundaries Source: IG Charts Top 5 recovery stocks: our analysts’ choice We asked our market analysts for their top picks for economic recovery stocks. In keeping with the industries that are set to contribute to a return to normality, the following are candidates for consideration: BHP Group Barclays Compass Group AB InBev National Express Group You can trade all of the above recovery stocks with us. To get started, open an account and search for your chosen company on our world-class platform. BHP Group BHP is one of the world’s largest mining firms. It’s a dual-listed company, meaning that while conducting business as a single operation and having identical boards, the Australian BHP Group Limited and the British BHP Group PLC are listed separately – and owned by different shareholder bodies. BHP Group PLC has a primary listing on the LSE, while BHP Group Limited has a primary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The group specialises in major commodities, including iron ore, metallurgical coal and copper. It also has interests in oil, gas and energy coal. The mining powerhouse faced several challenges in the early stages of the pandemic – notably the decline in demand owing to worldwide lockdowns and supply constraints resulting from interruptions to operations. Despite these challenges, however, BHP earned roughly $8.3 billion in profits over the 2019/2020 fiscal year. In addition to several positive performance indicators – for example a one-year return of 31.85%1 – the company’s dividends have also increased substantially: the September 2020 final dividend payment of 42.11p rose to an interim dividend of 72.99p in March 2021.2 What do our analysts think? Beauchamp notes that with economies kicking into full-scale recovery mode, demand for basic resources is set to gain momentum, especially in resource-hungry and industrialised countries. Start trading BHP Group shares Barclays While headquartered in London, Barclays is a multinational bank operating two divisions: Barclays UK and Barclays International. The bank is regarded as one of the world’s most powerful transnational corporates, and has come to play an integral role in the functioning of the global financial system. The bank listed on the LSE in 1953 and, with a market cap of just under £28.5 billion, is a constituent of the FTSE 100. Barclays UK consists of personal banking, business banking and Barclaycard consumer businesses, while Barclays International consists of a corporate and investment bank, and card, consumer and payment businesses. Owing to the pandemic-caused decline in global economic activity, Barclays stock fell from a share price approaching the mid-180p range in early 2020, to just above the 80p mark in late March 2021. With a one-year return of 51% at the time of writing, and a share price that has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, Barclays seems to have weathered the storm.1 But, more good news could be in store. What do our analysts think? Beauchamp suggests that banks – like Barclays – with high levels of international exposure to US, European and Asian markets, are in a good position to capitalise from government stimulus packages. Start trading Barclays shares Compass Group A multinational food, hospitality and support services provider headquartered in the UK, the Compass Group operates in 45 countries. It’s the largest contract food service company in the world, servicing five key sectors: business and industry; health and senior care; education; sports and leisure; and defence. The group was admitted to the LSE in February 2001, is a constituent of the FTSE 100, and has been listed as a Fortune 500 company. As could be expected however, with offices, factories, schools, universities, sports grounds and public spaces being closed during lockdown – and only recently reopening once again in the UK – the Compass Group has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Reports indicate that in the wake of the outbreak, profits declined by approximately 78%, and the group had to lay off 7000 workers. However, the Compass Group still enjoys a large market cap of £26.8 billion, and its one-year return of 35.56% suggests that it’s recuperating.1 Group chief executive, Dominic Blakemore, has noted that as of May 2021 already, Compass Group has seen an increase in its first time outsourcing rate, and a 20% rise in the acquisition of new accounts when compared to a pre-pandemic benchmark. What do our analysts think? Beauchamp points out that catering and support service providers now face the opportunities presented by a reopening economy – including the catering needs of a large population eager to return to normal day-to-day living. Start trading Compass Group shares AB InBev Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (known as AB InBev) is one of the world's leading producers of beers. It has 630 beer brands, and enjoys a strong market presence in over 150 countries. Considered one of the largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies globally, AB InBev resulted from a merger between the US-based Anheuser-Busch and InBev – itself a merger between the Belgian Interbrew and the Brazilian AmBev. The group focuses on two core sectors: The production of beers, including: Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois, Beck's, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Castle, Castle Lite, Bud Light, Skol, Brahma, Quilmes, Michelob, Harbin, and Sedrin The production, bottling and sales of alcohol-free drinks, including: soft drinks, malt beverages, bottled waters and ice teas Importantly, it’s net sales are distributed around the world, with a large portion concentrated on North, Central and South America (about 72% combined). The company has a primary listing on the Euronext Brussels, and secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Mexico City Stock Exchange (Mexbol). Amid the mass restrictions on pubs, restaurants and retail alcohol sales worldwide, AB InBev’s share price dropped from highs of around €75 in December 2019 to lows of under €30 in March 2020. As of July 2021, this has recovered to the €60 range – leaving room for further improvement as market demand in emerging markets picks up. What do our analysts think? Eased restrictions around alcohol sales and venues will likely result in a surge in demand – most especially in emerging markets. Start trading AB InBev shares National Express Group National Express operates bus, coach, train and tram services across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the US, Canada, Morocco and Bahrain. It also provides long-distance coach services in Europe. The company was admitted to the LSE in April 1995, is a constituent of the FTSE 250, and currently has a market cap of just over £1.6 billion. After seeing an 80% decline in passenger numbers in 2020 due to travel bans, the carrier suffered a £445 million loss for the year – down from a pre-tax profit of £187 million in 2019. It’s been reported that National Express was forced to temporarily lay off, or furlough, close on 40,000 employees across the business during the peak of the pandemic. CEO, José Ignacio, has said that the operator should emerge from the pandemic ‘learner, fitter and financially stronger’ owing to the steps taken to endure the impact of travel restrictions. At the time of writing, the National Express share price, although much recovered from April 2020 lows – and showing a one-year return of 57.7% – still has ground to gain on its 2019 levels.1 In June 2021, the group announced the acquisition of Transportes Rober (Rober) in Spain for a headline consideration of €13 million. What do our analysts think? With the lifting of the lockdown restrictions in the UK, Beauchamp argues that the tourism industry within national boundaries could experience an uptick in demand. Importantly, the anticipation of increased demand could result in positive investor sentiment and an upward trending share price. Start trading National Express shares How to trade or invest in recovery stocks With us, you can either invest in recovery stocks, or trade them long or short. When investing, you’ll use one of our share dealing accounts to buy shares outright. You’ll also receive any dividends if the company grants them. When you trade stocks, you do so with derivatives such as CFDs. You won’t own the stock, but you can use leverage to open a position while putting up just a percentage of the capital. It’s important to bear in mind, however, that leverage will amplify both your profits and your losses, and that you could lose more than your deposit. You should never risk more than you can afford to lose, and always take steps to manage your risk. With CFDs, you won’t have to pay stamp duty and can offset any losses against profits for capital gains tax.3 How to trade recovery stocks Create an account or Open MyIG Choose CFDs and search for your opportunity Select ‘buy’ to go long, or ‘sell’ to go short Set your position size and take steps to manage your risk Open and monitor your position How to invest in recovery stocks Create an account or Open MyIG Search for the recovery stock you’d like to invest in Select ‘buy’ in the deal ticket (you can only go long when investing) Choose the number of shares you want to buy Open and monitor your position Best recovery stocks summed up Investment trends for recovery stocks could centre on a ‘return to normality’ – ie, patterns of economic activity that resemble those found pre-Covid-19 Industries that stand to benefit from this normalisation include: mining, banking, catering and support services, alcoholic beverages, and transport Whereas thematic investing can yield positive results, sound investment always relies on thorough analysis, good research and the correct management of risk Stocks to consider from within each of the above industries include: BHP Group, Barclays, Compass Group, AB InBev and National Express With us, you can trade recovery stocks using CFDs, or you can invest in them by opening a share dealing account Footnotes: 1 London Stock Exchange, 9 July 2021 2 BHP dividends information, 9 July 2021 3 Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK. Timothy Joubert | Financial Writer, Johannesburg 16 July 2021

Traders with a strong understanding of technical indicators are usually better equipped to navigate the financial markets than those that lack this knowledge. While personal investing goals, risk appetite and trading style will help to determine a strategy and trading plan, knowing what technical indicators to use in your approach can help to determine possible entry and exit points. Hundreds of technical indicators exist, and clear signals can be identified using effective indicators as part of a strategy. This article will cover six of the most popular technical indicators for stock trading. BEST TECHNICAL INDICATORS FOR STOCK TRADING For traders looking for the most effective technical indicators, it is important to consider the objectives of the trading strategy as well as the current market condition. For individuals trading individual stocks, it is often beneficial to apply indicators to the stock index in which that share belongs to get a holistic view of the larger market as a whole. Below are six of the most popular technical indicators to use when analyzing stocks: INDICATOR NAME TYPE OF INDICATOR CHARACTERISTICS Client Sentiment Contrarian Indicator Shows client positioning of the market Indicates when markets are nearing extremes Leading indicator Useful in trending markets Relative Strength Index (RSI) Momentum Oscillator Plotted between 0 – 100 Indicates when the market is overbought or oversold Leading indicator Useful in trending markets Stochastic Momentum Oscillator Plotted between 0 – 100 Consists of two lines, %K and %D line Indicates when the market is overbought or oversold Leading indicator Useful in rangebound markets Simple Moving Average (SMA) Trend following indicator The SMA represents the average price of a security over a specified period of time Equal weighting is given to all points in the data set Used to confirm the direction of the current trend Lagging indicator Useful in trending markets Exponential Moving Average (EMA) Trend following indicator The EMA represents the average price of a security over a specified period of time with a greater emphasis on recent prices Higher weighting is given to recent points in the data set Lagging indicator Useful in trending markets Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) Momentum oscillator The MACD measures both momentum and the trend Overbought and oversold signals occur above and below the zero-line Lagging indicator Useful in trending markets CLIENT SENTIMENT Client sentiment data is derived from a brokerage’s execution desk data, measuring live retail client trades to determine possible directional biases in the market. When sentiment is approaching extreme levels, stock traders may begin to see a reversal as more likely which is why it is seen as both a contrarian indicator as well as potentially having a leading component. Below is an example of the IG Client Sentiment Index, IG’s sentiment gauge derived from execution desk data, for the Dow Jones index (Ticker: Wall Street). Based on the data below, 64% of traders have short positions which means that majority of traders expect the price of Wall Street to drop. However, sentiment is seen to be bullish, meaning that based on this data the price of Wall Street may be expected to increase. Although it is not advisable to trade-off sentiment (or any individual indicator) alone, an individual who is trading a constituent of the DJIA could use this data as an informative tool before applying additional indicators. DailyFX provides client sentiment data which isderived from live IG retail client trades for forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies and major stock indices. Stock sentiment analysis is also available for individual shares on the IG platform where applicable or available. RELATIVE STRENGTH INDEX (RSI) The relative strength index (RSI) is a momentum oscillator that measures the magnitude of price movements to determine whether a market is overbought or oversold. A market is seen to be oversold when the RSI is below 30 and is overbought when the RSI is above 70. These are key levels could indicate a potential reversal, classifying the RSI as a leading indicator. The chart below shows the RSI being applied to the daily chart for Uber Technologies (Ticker: UBER). The RSI trades between 30 and 70 for some time before falling below the 30 level. Below the 30 level, the first signal is a false signal because although it looks like the trend is going to reverse to the upside, the price continues to fall. However, the second signal is present when the RSI is below 30 and turns towards the upside. However, the RSI only confirms the reversal by crossing above the 30 line the next day. STOCHASTIC The stochastic oscillator is another momentum indicator which is used to determine overbought and oversold conditions when trading stocks. Unlike the RSI which measures the speed of price movements, the stochastic measures current price in relation to its price range over a period of time. The %K line (the black line) is calculated by using the latest closing price relative to the lowest low and highest high over a specified period of time and the %D line represents the simple moving average of the %K (three period Simple Moving Average is the most common).With stochastics, a bullish crossover occurs when the %K line (the black line) crosses over and above the %D line (the red dotted line). Likewise, a bearish signal occurs when the %K line crosses under and below the %D line. The strongest signals will often occur when there is a bullish cross-coupled with a move above 20 from below and a bearish signal coupled with a move below 80. In the image below, the stochastic indicator is applied to the S&P 500 price chart (Ticker: US 500). As indicated on the chart, a bearish crossover occurs from above the 80 line, indicating that the trend may reverse to the downside. The reversal is then confirmed once the lines cross 80. Likewise, the bullish crossover occurs below 20 and the reversal is confirmed once the 20 line is crossed. SIMPLEMOVING AVERAGE (SMA) A simple moving average (SMA) is a lagging indicator which represents the average price of a security over a specified period of time. In a trending market, the moving average modulates short-term price fluctuations and allows stock traders to identify the trend in a simplistic way. As depicted in the chart below, in a rangebound market, it is also possible to use a moving average to identify support and resistance levels. By applying the 50 day MA to the Boeing price chart, it is clear that the 50-day SMA can also be seen as potential support even as Boeing is trading in a ranging environment. EXPONENTIAL MOVING AVERAGE (EMA) As with the SMA discussed above, the exponential moving average (EMA) is a lagging indicator which represents the average price of a security over a specified period of time. However, unlike the SMA which gives equal weighting to all data points in the series, the EMA gives more weight to recent prices, removing some of the lag found with a traditional SMA. This makes the EMA an optimal candidate for trend trading as it allows traders to get a holistic view of the market without missing out on opportunities with may be due to the lag of a simple moving average. MACD The MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) is a technical indicator that can be used to measure both momentum and the strength of the trend. The MACD displays a MACD line (blue), signal line (red) and a histogram (green) which shows the difference between the MACD line and the signal line. The MACD line is the difference between two exponential moving averages (the 12 and 26 period moving averages using common default settings), whilst the signal line is generally a 9-period exponentially average of the MACD line. These lines waver in and around the zero line, giving the MACD the characteristics of an oscillator with overbought and oversold signals occurring above and below the zero-line respectively. With reference to the chart below, featuring Apple, Inc. (Ticker: AAPL): A bullish signal is present when the MACD line crosses ABOVE the signal line from BELOW the zero line. A bearish signal is present when the MACD line crosses BELOW the signal line from ABOVE the zero line. TECHNICAL INDICATORS FAQ’S What is the difference between a leading and a lagging indicator? Although leading and lagging indicators are both derived from historic price data, a leading indicator is used to indicate expected price movements in the market while lagging indicators are used to provide entry and exit signals once the trend has been identified. Although similarities and differences exist between the two, both are equally important and it is often beneficial for traders to use both leading and lagging indicators simultaneously. FURTHER READING ON STOCK TRADING Learn how to apply stock market sentiment analysis Explore the differences between stock trading and investing Bookmark our guide to stock market trading hours DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets. DISCLOSURES Tammy Da Costa , Markets Writer 16 July 2021

HI Filip, The error 'Exchange Unavailable' is usually popping when you need to provide us with further information to trade. For example to trade US stock you will need to complete a W-8BEN form. To do so go on My IG > Settings : All the best - Arvin

Hi @denislaw, The type of auction an exchange would hold depends on the time of day, and the principles of supply and demand. https://www.ig.com/uk/glossary-trading-terms/auction-definition All the best - Arvin

Hi @Sirakard, Once the platform is opened you can search for the market your on the search bar at the top left-hand side of the screen. Once you select the market you are interested in, the chart will appear as well as the dealing ticket on the right-hand side. You can use the 'info' tab on the dealing ticket for further information. On the IG website you can use https://www.ig.com/au/help-and-support to search any definition you need. All the best - Arvin

Hi @benjfranklin, Unfortunately we do not offer a Share trading demo account. You can still buy shares on a CFD demo account but with leverage. All the best - Arvin

Hi All, Once your documents are verified and uploaded to the system the account opening team still need more time to activate your account. If you want to check on your application’s progress, email us at newaccounts.uk@ig.com. All the best -Arvin

Hi @RFSmithers, Thank you for your message and welcome ! You can find our Forex forums on https://community.ig.com/forums/forum/32-foreign-exchange-fx/ . All the best - Arvin

Hi @pal99999, For any queries regarding account application, I would recommend to reach out to newaccountenquiries.uk@ig.com . All the best - Arvin

Hi @kodr21, Could you please let us know which stocks you would like to buy? We will be able to check why they are unavailable to open a position. Thank you - Arvin

Hi @idanigtf, On iOS once you are on the dealing ticket, just below size you should have a field saying "When Filled", from there you can select Force open or Net off. Alternatively, if you tap on Account at the bottom right-hand corner of the app, then Settings then Net Off / Force Open you can activate to show the option on the ticket and select an option as default. I hope that it helps ! All the best - Arvin

Hi @Ravuol, You can't have a "Manual conversion" setting on a CFD account. But if you are using a share dealing account with "Manual conversion" yes you will only pay the conversion twice. Keep in mind that in Manual conversion you will pay 2 cents per share with a minimum charge of $15 on US stocks. - Arvin

Alibaba and Tencent’s rumoured decision to partner up could mean the levelling of the playing field for investors, according to an IG analyst. Source: Bloomberg Shares Tencent Alibaba Group Big Tech China WeChat Alibaba Group Holding Limited (HK) share price jumped up 3.7% a day after it was reported that the company is seeking to accept Tencent’s WeChat Pay as a payment method on its e-commerce platforms Tencent Holdings Ltd share price also rallied as much as 2.8% IG analyst Yeap Jun Rong says this latest tie-up eases some regulatory concerns On the other hand, it also begs the question of whether these steps are enough to appease authorities On Tuesday, China’s antitrust regulator also approved Tencent’s proposed takeover of the country’s third largest search engine, Sogou Inc Interested to trade Alibaba and Tencent shares at just a fraction of the cost? Open a full or demo account with us today to get started. Alibaba, Tencent share price: why are they on the rise? Chinese technology titans Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd are reportedly considering introducing their services on each other's platforms. Both companies are seeking to remove restrictions that will allow Tencent's WeChat Pay to be accepted as a payment mode on Alibaba's online marketplaces - Taobao and Tmall, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday (14 July 2021). A day after the report, Tencent shares rallied as much as 2.8%, while Alibaba shares spiked up 3.7%. IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong says that this potential tie-up implies that the landscape for China tech companies ‘may have shifted’. ‘Near-term, it may ease some concerns by showing that these big tech companies are taking steps to adhere to regulations, softening some regulatory risks from authorities,’ says Yeap. ‘On the other hand, there may be some uncertainty on whether authorities will be satisfied with just this move, or whether there may still be more to come. There will also be some uncertainty revolving around the impact to growth potential by opening up to competition.’ Despite this air of ambiguity, Yeap is optimistic that investors do not have to avoid China’s big tech in the long run. He says that as more countries start gaining more control over big tech firms, the playing field may ultimately be levelled. However, in the short run, ‘investors may still be awaiting more clarity, considering that both Tencent and Alibaba are still largely in a downtrend, with a series of lower price highs and lower price lows since February’, he adds. Are the tides turning for China’s big tech firms? This latest move to collaborate comes amid an ongoing crackdown by the Chinese government on anti-competition practices among the country's top tech companies. In April, Alibaba was fined a record US$2.8 billion, while Tencent was one of 34 companies that was instructed to improve its problematic practices. Nevertheless, investors had other reasons to cheer this week. On Tuesday, China's anti-competition body - the State Administration for Market Regulation, approved Tencent's proposal to acquire the country's third largest search engine Sogou Inc in a private US$3.5 billion undertaking. Markets have been watching with bated breath on the outcome of the deal, as it would indicate where Beijing currently stands in its clampdown strategy. In fact, the Hang Seng Index rose 1.9% following the announcement, recording its biggest gain in three weeks. ‘Regulators are still considering each deal case by case and not rejecting all of them. The sentiment is not that negative now,’ Castor Pang, head of research at Core Pacific Yamaichi, told Bloomberg. ‘Any good news will trigger buying on dips in the sector.’ What’s your call on Chinese big tech stocks? Go short and long with spread bets, CFDs and share dealing on 16,000+ shares with the UK’s No.1 platform.* Learn more about trading shares with us, or open an account to get started today. * Best trading platform as awarded at the ADVFN International Financial Awards and Professional Trader Awards 2019. Kelvin Ong | Financial writer, Singapore Thursday 15 July 2021

Hi Amir, You can't change the leverage on MT4 as the margin requirement are the same as the ones on the IG platform which can;t be changed. I hope that it helps. All the best - Arvin