IFS Markets Review

IFS Markets is a global online forex brokerage company registered and regulated in multiple regions. IFS Markets is a registered trading name of Forex Financial Services Pty Ltd. It is authorised and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under license number 323193.

IFS Markets trading solutions integrates exceptional spreads, continuous streaming liquidity, and instant trade execution, the company says.

Customers can trade more than 60 currency pairs (classic and exotic), 14 global indices, and 4 commodities (Gold, Silver, WTI and Brent). As an ASIC-regulated company it provides up to 1:400 leverage for currency pairs.

There are two trading accounts: Standard and Pro. They differ mainly in spreads and commissions. Both offer leverage up to 1:400 and require no minimum deposit amount. The Standard account provides commission free trading. The commission in the Pro account is USD7 per lot (100,000 units) and will be charged at the time of opening the position. Accounts can be funded by bank transfer, credit/debit cards, Poli, Skrill, Neteller, Fasapay and Bitcoins.

Customers can trade through the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) terminal, one of the world’s most popular trading platforms. MetaTrader 4 offers real-time charts, real time news events and a suite of analytical tools. Clients have access to advanced Trading Tools, Trading Signals, the MetaTrader Market, and a global community of traders. The algorithmic trading is also available and can be applied directly to the chart of the trader’s choice. The terminal is available as a desktop version and as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

The company also offers social trading through ZuluTrade. It allows users to select the traders they want to follow based on reviews and feedback through their own algorithms and ranking systems.

There is a Trading Resources section that contains news, economic calendar, and platform tutorials.

The Product Disclosure Statement document reveals that the IFS is acting as principal to you and so is responsible for setting the prices of opening and closing contracts and IFS does not act as your agent to find you the best prices. There is also written: ‘ We may enter into OTC transactions as principal with a number of reputable counterparties to hedge some of the market risk arising from our transactions with you (and our other clients). We may in our discretion, choose not to hedge our transactions with you in which case you will be wholly reliant on our ability to meet our counterparty obligations to you to settle the contract.’ This means the company is a market maker and a conflict of interest arises because when you lose the company benefits. The same document reveals that you may lose substantially more than the initial investment. You may incur losses to the extent of your total exposure to us and any additional fees and charges that apply. These losses may be far greater than the money that you have deposited into your account. In other words, there is no negative balance protection and you can owe money to the company. In addition, all orders are subject to slippage and stop loss orders are not guaranteed. They can be filled at the first available market price.

In general, this is a well-regulated brokerage company that offers competitive conditions such as tight spreads, low commissions, higher leverage, and no initial deposit requirement. However, IFS Markets acts as a market maker, there is no negative balance protection and there are no shares available for trading.