Energy instruments
| Instrument | Symbol | Contract (1 lot) | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Crude Oil (WTI) | WTIUSD | 1,000 barrels | 1:20 |
| Brent Crude Oil | BRNUSD | 1,000 barrels | 1:20 |
| Natural Gas | NGCUSD | 10,000 MMBtu | 1:25 |
What moves oil prices
- OPEC+ production decisions and output cuts.
- Weekly US crude inventory reports (EIA, Wednesdays).
- Global growth expectations, which drive demand for fuel.
- Geopolitical events in producing regions.
- The US dollar, since oil is priced in dollars.
WTI is the US benchmark and Brent the international one; the two usually move together but the gap between them changes with regional supply. With 1,000 barrels per lot, a $1 move in WTI changes a 1-lot position by $1,000 and a 0.01-lot position by $10.
Trading energies responsibly
Energy markets can gap at the weekly open and move sharply on inventory data. Leverage is set lower than on forex for that reason. Use a stop loss and size positions so a single move cannot take a large share of your balance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between WTI and Brent?
WTI is US crude delivered at Cushing, Oklahoma; Brent is North Sea crude and the main international benchmark. They are separate instruments with their own prices.
What leverage do you offer on oil?
Up to 1:20 on WTI and Brent crude, and up to 1:25 on natural gas.
Do I take delivery of oil?
No. Oil is traded as a CFD, which settles in cash. You never own or receive physical oil.
Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This page is general information, not investment advice. Read the Risk Disclosure.