FAQ

CFD FOREIGN MARKETS FAQ

Account Opening

  • 01. What should I do if I want to trade in Online CFD Foreign Securities Markets?

    For Existing Lim & Tan Securities client with CFD (SGX):
    Complete the "Application For Access To Online CFD Foreign Securities Markets Trading". Forms can be downloaded here.

    For Existing Lim & Tan Securities client:
    Complete the "Application For Access To Online CFD SGX and CFD Foreign Securities Markets Trading". Forms can be downloaded here.

    For New Lim & Tan Securities client:
    Please open a new Online Cash account first by clicking here.

  • 02. If I am currently trading CFD (SGX), can I trade Online CFD Foreign Markets as well?

    CFD Foreign Markets is a separate account with a different user interface. You will need to first open an Online CFD Foreign Securities Markets Trading account. Please refer to Q1 above.

  • 03. Can a US citizen be allowed to trade in US securities and securities from CFD Foreign Markets?

    US citizens or residents are allowed to trade in CFD Foreign Markets but not in the US Market.

  • 04. Is there any processing fee required to open the account?

    No. There is no processing fee for opening the account.

  • 05. What are the charges* involved in trading CFD Foreign Securities Markets?

    Charges for the following markets:
    Market Commission Minimum Commission
    Australia 0.20% AUD 15
    Hong Kong 0.25015% HKD 100
    London 0.35% GBP 15
    US <USD 21 USD 0.03 per share USD 20
    >USD 21 0.20% USD 20
    Other Charges HK$
    Stamp Duty HK$1.30 per HK$1,000

    • For opening a long position (Australia), a finance charge of 6.5% per annum will be levied.
    • For opening a long position (Hong Kong), a finance charge of 8.5% per annum will be levied.
    • For opening a long position (London), a finance charge of 7.0% per annum will be levied.
    • For opening a long position (US), a finance charge of 8.0% per annum will be levied.
    • For opening a short position (All), a finance charge of 4% per annum will be levied.
    • Finance charges on outstanding positions are debited daily.
    • Commission rates are applicable to both long and short contracts. Prevailing GST applies.

    *Charges are subject to change from time to time.

  • 06. Can I use my limtan Login ID and Password to access and trade in the Online CFD Foreign Securities Markets?

    Yes. You can use the same login to your limtan.com.sg Online trading account to access and trade in the CFD Foreign Securities Markets.

    Please note that CFD Foreign Markets can only be traded via our Online Trading website and separate login is not required.

Margin Requirements

  • 01. What is the Initial Margin?

    As a percentage of the full contract value, it is the amount required to open a CFD position. Listed on ASX, HKE, LSE and the US markets, each marginable security is assigned a margin rate for the computation of Initial Margin.

  • 02. How much can I trade?

    Subject to cash deposit and gross exposure limit (cap imposed on portfolio value), you can trade up to 10 times the Initial Margin.

    Cash deposit for Online CFD Foreign Securities Markets Trading cannot be used for purpose trading of CFD (SGX) and vice versa.

  • 03. What is Free Equity?

    This is the surplus funds for opening new positions. This is effectively the available trading limit. A negative Free Equity means there is no available trading limit.

  • 04. What is Gross Liquidation Value (GLV)?

    GLV = Free Equity + Initial Margin

    GLV is the remaining value after all open positions are closed at the current market price excluding charges.

  • 05. Why is the available trading limit fluctuating?

    The computation of Initial Margin is subject to marked-to-market prices. As such, Initial Margin and Free Equity are constantly updated, hence the available trading limit.

  • 06. When is Margin Call issued?

    It is issued when the margin percentage (i.e. GLV / Initial Margin) is less than 100% where Free Equity is negative. You have 2 days to top-up the margin requirements to bring the margin percentage to at least 100%.

  • 07. When will Force-Selling take place?

    It happens when margin percentage is less than 75%, or upon the expiry of the Margin Call.

  • 08. How am I notified of the Margin Call?

    You will receive an email notification of the Margin Call.

  • 09. Can I withdraw cash from my CFD account?

    You may withdraw cash from your CFD account as long as there is Free Equity. The margin percentage must be at least 100% after withdrawal.

  • 10. What happens if the underlying securities are suspended?

    If the underlying security is delisted or suspended from trading, Lim & Tan Securities may at its absolute discretion choose to terminate the relevant CFD or vary the margin requirements. Lim & Tan Securities shall determine the CFD Contract Value at its sole discretion upon termination.

  • 11. How do corporate actions affect my CFD positions?

    Your CFD account will be credited the net dividend for long positions and debited the gross dividend for short positions. Rights issues, bonus issues and capital repayments that are applied to the underlying security will be reflected in the value of your CFD account. Lim & Tan Securities reserves the right to close all open positions before the ex-date for any corporate actions relating to the underlying security.

Trading

  • 01. How would I know what are the lot sizes for different securities in the different markets?

    To view the lot size for a security, click the icon on the left-hand-side of the security and select "More" followed by "Profile".

  • 02. How do I place an order?

    To start an order entry, you may click the icon on the left-hand-side of the security and select "Buy".

    Alternatively you may click on the "Ask" price of the security.

    Once you have keyed in your order details, please make a final check and then click on the "Place Buy Order" button at the bottom.

  • 03. How do I place an advanced order?

    a) Protect against losses
    Step 1: Select the Stop Loss Strategy for the order - None, Regular or Trailing

    Step 2: If you selected Regular or Trailing in Step 1 above, choose from the drop-down list to specify how you want to apply the stop loss strategy to your order and then key in the applicable value:
    - Regular: Points or Price

    - Trailing: Points, Percentage or Price Step

    Step 3: Click "More" to display more fields.

    Step 4: In the Order Type list, select the pricing instruction (e.g. Limit, Market or Market+ to Limit) for the stop loss strategy order.

    Step 5: In the Limit Price box, key in the limit price for the stop loss strategy order. (Only applicable if you selected Limit in Step 4.)

    Step 6: In the Lifetime list, select the lifetime (e.g. End Of Day or Good Till Cancel) for the stop loss strategy order.

    b) Protect your profit
    Step 1: Select the Take Profit Strategy for the order - None or Regular

    Step 2: If you selected Regular in Step 1 above, choose from the drop-down list to specify how you want to apply the take profit strategy to your order (i.e. by Points or Price) and then key in the applicable value.

    Step 3: Click "More" to display more fields.

    Step 4: In the Order Type list, select the pricing instruction (e.g. Limit, Market or Market+ to Limit) for the take profit strategy order.

    Step 5: In the Limit Price box, key in the limit price for the profit strategy order. (Only applicable if you selected Limit in Step 4.)

    Step 6: In the Lifetime list, select the lifetime (e.g. End Of Day or Good Till Cancel) for the take profit strategy order.

    For more information, please refer to the "Help Centre" on your ViewPoint Platform.

  • 04. How do I know my order has been filled?

    All partially/fully filled orders will automatically be updated under the status of your 'Order Book'. At all times, please attempt to check the actual quantity filled under 'Order Book' status.

  • 05. Can I amend or cancel orders?

    Yes you may amend or cancel orders for quantities that have not been fulfilled yet.

    Amend Order
    To amend order, click the icon on the left-hand-side of the security and select "Amend".

    Once you have keyed in your amendment, please make the final check on your order and then click on the "Amend Buy Order" button at the bottom.

    Cancel Order
    To cancel order, click the icon on the left-hand-side of the security and select "Cancel".

    Please note that HKEx has restrictions on order modification or cancellation between 9:15am to 9:30am HK time. Any amendments or cancellation made during this time will be processed when the market opens.

  • 06. How do I create a Watchlist?

    To create a Watchlist, click the icon at the top bar, drag and drop "Watchlist" from "Add Widget" directly onto your worksheet.

    Save the Watchlist by clicking on "Save As" and then key in the name of your Watchlist in the popup screen.

  • 07. How do I add counters to a Watchlist?

    Key in the Name of a security or Security code and click on the security.

  • 08. How do I search for a security?

    Key in the Name of a security or Security code and click on the security.

  • 09. How do I view the Chart?

    To view the Chart, click the icon on the left-hand-side of the security and select "More" followed by "Chart".

  • 10. Is the price data live?

    Prices are delayed by at least 20 minutes.

    All newly opened Online CFD Foreign Securities Markets Trading accounts will automatically be entitled to 2 months free access to US live prices.

    You may also subscribe to live prices for the following markets for a fee. Redemption for live prices is available via our loyalty rewards redemption catalogue using loyalty points or payment by cash.

    Free Live US Market Data will not be available for clients who are considered a Securities Professional.

    A monthly charge of SGD 8, is payable should you choose to subscribe to real time US market data. Alternatively, you may access delayed US market data free of charge.

    Kindly note that if you are a Securities Professional, you will not be entitled to any promotions related to free access to real time US market data.

    CFD Foreign Markets Data Fees:
    Market Per User Fee Feed Type
    Australia SGD 22 per month Real-time
    Hong Kong Level 1: SGD 22 per month
    Level 2: SGD 36 per month    		 Real-time
    US - NASDAQ & NYSE SGD 8 per month Real-time
    London Nil Delayed

  • 11. How do I logout of the system?

    Click the icon at the top right corner of the page.

    Note: All users are encouraged to logout of the system. Due to security measures, there may be future cache issues if a user does not logout properly.

  • 12. Will I be able to amalgamate my CFD Foreign Market trades?

    CFD Foreign Market trades will be amalgated if they meet the following conditions:
    • The trades must be fulfilled on the same trading day
    • Trades must be of the same stock
    • Trades must be of the same action (only buy trade will amalgamate with another buy trade and conversely for sell trades)
    • The trades must be done through the same account

  • 13. How do I know how much I need to pay?

    Lim & Tan Securities Pte Ltd will issue contract notes for all filled trades and these will be mailed to you on T + 1. Please check the contract notes for the settlement amount required.

  • 14. What are the trading hours for each market?

    Monday - Friday (Singapore Time)
    Countries Morning Session Afternoon Session
    Australia 0700 - 1300 (Daylight Saving Hours)
    0800 - 1400 (Normal Standard Hours)
    Hong Kong 0930 - 1200 1300 - 1600
    London 1600 - 0030 (Next Day)
    US Summer Daylight Saving*
    (Singapore Time)    		 Winter**
    (Singapore Time)
    Full-Day Trading 2130 - 0400 (Summer) 2230 - 0500 (Winter)
    Half-Day Trading 2130 - 0100 (Summer) 2230 - 0200 (Winter)
    *Daylight Savings effective from 2nd Sunday of March to 1st Sunday of November.
    **Effective from the 1st Sunday of November to the 2nd Sunday of March.

  • 15. Is short selling allowed?

    Yes. You can trade CFD shares Long and Short. Counters eligible for Shorting will have a "Y" in the Place Order page "Allow Short Sell" field.

System Requirements

  • 01. What should I do when the system is not available?

    Please contact your Trading Representative to check on the status of your orders or to place new orders.