[The hidden cost of copy trading that nobody tells you] Copy | The Real Rayner Teo

[The hidden cost of copy trading that nobody tells you]

Copy trading is a business.

So, if you’re not being charged any upfront fee, then you’re paying more for the spread and overnight fees.

I’ll explain…

For most Forex brokers, the spread on EUR/USD is 1 pip. But on a copy trading platform, you might pay 2 to 3 pips more.

But don’t take my words for it because you can compare the spreads of a normal Forex broker with a copy trading platform and you’ll see the difference.

So, what’s the implication?

Two things.

#1: If you’re a trader being copied, then bear in mind your trading strategy won’t work as well because you’re paying more in spread (compared to a typical Forex broker).

#2: If you’re copying another trader, then it’s best to follow traders who trade infrequently so the spread doesn’t eat up a huge chunk of your profits.

Now, the spread isn’t your only cost because you still have to consider overnight fees (if you’re holding positions for longer than a day).

This fee is calculated by taking Libor + X%.

(Libor stands for inter-bank offered rate. It’s an interest rate that banks charge to other banks for borrowing the money.)

So, what is X?

Well, this is the mark up that’s determined by the copy trading platform and you’ll need to check with them for the exact amount.

The good news is, you don’t have to worry about calculating all these because the platform will likely do it for you—so do check it out before placing a trade.

Now, there are probably other fees to consider but the spread and overnight fees make up the chunk of it.