Question: I have read a lot of information on your web-site and am a bit confused about whether my CFD buying would be treated as an "investment" or "trade". I am a full time Sch E employee in a bank earning c£100k p.a. Throughout this year in my spare time I have invested a significant amount in CFDs. I have built up a sizeable CFD position of c£1.6m (across about 30 different companies) and I currently have realised a significant unrealised profit of c£400k. I also have realised losses of c£60k from Q4 last year. I would classify myself as an investor because I plan to hold the CFDs for the long term (rather than a series of short term trades), and have not really sold any of my CFDs (other than some small holdings that were sold due to stop-losses being activated etc). Given the above circumstances, do you think HMRC would view me as an investor or trader? . . . (to read the remainder of this article, please log in below.)
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