Understanding CFD Rollover Dates

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) are derivatives instruments whose value is derived from an underlying asset/s. They automatically terminate at a pre-set date in the future. However, CFDs with a rollover option allow you to extend the CFD expiry date to a later point in time. This is an open contract with no expiry date. At inception, it is imperative to understand CFD expiry dates, and whether they are rolling CFDs. You may have a poorly performing CFD, but you believe rates will reverse favourably, so you initiate a CFD rollover beyond the expiry date.

CFD rollovers are common. There are rollovers for buy positions and rollovers for sell positions. For a buy position, assume you’re buying 100 contracts of the Germany 30 at a current sell rate of €15,000, and a sell rate for the new futures contract at €15,100, i.e. €100 higher. The adjustment is subtracted from your position to maintain the same equity. [Old contract rate – new contract rate] X [number of contracts] = [€15,000 – €15,100] X [100] = €10,000 subtracted from your account. The rollover adjustment for a sell position is added to your account.

With CFDs, rollovers are determined by the difference between the asset interest rates. If you buy a currency pair such as the USD/ZAR, and the rate is greater than the interest rate on the sold currency, the rollover will be accrued on your trading position. If you’re buying a currency and the rate of the currency is less than the interest rate on the currency sold, the rollover will be subtracted from your trading position. Therefore, CFD rollovers can generate extra income, or result in losses. If you’re holding a forex CFD position overnight, check the roll rates.