HF Markets Review

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HF Markets is a multi-regulated and socially responsible online broker who have won numerous awards for the services that they provide. They give you access to the global markets via user-friendly yet powerful trading platforms for web, desktop and mobile. You can utilise a generous variety of trading tools to conduct in-depth market analysis and make informed decisions. They have a great selection of financial instruments for trading with tight spreads, competitive commissions and reliable execution speeds. There is a handy collection of educational content for beginners and free demo accounts are available if you wish to practice trading online before making a commitment. I think they can be a good choice for anyone who is looking to trade online with minimal hassle and in a regulated environment.

Summary

Operating since 2010, HF Markets are a popular global online broker formerly known as Hot Forex. They offer retail and institutional trading services on a wide range of instruments across multiple markets including Forex, Commodities, Cryptocurrency, Stocks, Shares, Indices, Metals, Energies, Bonds & CFDs. I think there is a great selection of instruments for everyone with very competitive trading conditions. The platforms are easy enough for new traders whilst having enough functionality to satisfy the more demanding traders out there.

The broker has an impressive client base with over one million live account holders. The quality of the company is evident as they have won plenty of awards for their transparent broker services. They employ hundreds of staff across the globe and provide support around the clock 24/5 in more than 27 languages. One of their main missions is to provide the best customer service to traders. From my experience during the time I have held an account with them, they have always provided prompt and polite support.

HF Markets have a policy of providing the best possible trading conditions including tight spreads from just 0.0 pips, fast execution speeds and competitive commission fees. They offer a range of flexible account types, trading platforms, trading tools and unrestricted access to a liquidity pool for all traders. This means that you can get access to some of the best prices on the markets at all times.

I appreciate how the broker has a deep-rooted sense of social responsibility and believe that they should help those who are less fortunate. They actively lend assistance when the appropriate opportunity arises to do so. Some of the work they do includes charitable donations and other social initiatives to help contribute to local communities. It is always good to see a broker give something back to the community.

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Regulation

When it comes to choosing a broker, regulation is one of the most important things to look for. I would always prefer to use a regulated brokerage firm as they can give certain protection that an unregulated broker cannot. I am therefore pleased to say that the broker is regulated in multiple jurisdictions. I consider them to have top-tier regulation and would therefore have no problem trusting them for my trading activities.

Each of the HF Markets companies are under strict regulation which helps to give clients peace of mind that they are using a trusted and reliable broker that must abide by strict regulatory rules. You can choose to open an account at the relevant entity according to your jurisdiction and trading requirements. Just keep in mind that the available products and features may vary depending on the entity that you opt for.

Regulated brokers must comply with strict financial standards which includes capital adequacy requirements. HF Markets is required to submit financial reports to the regulator on a quarterly basis whilst maintaining a sufficient amount of liquid capital to cover all of their clients’ deposits, potential fluctuations in the company’s currency positions, and outstanding expenses. A detailed annual audit is performed by an independent internal auditor to inform the regulator of any deficiencies.

HF Markets and HotForex are unified brand names of the HF Markets Group that includes the following companies.

HF Markets (Europe) Ltd

HF Markets (Europe) Ltd is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). CySEC is the supervisory and regulatory authority for Investment Services firms in Cyprus and is a member of the Committee of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). HF Markets (Europe) Ltd. is required to disclose information relating to its capital, the risks that the Company is exposed to as well as to promote market discipline. They must also be compliant with the European Union’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) which is in place to provide a harmonised regulatory regime for investment services within Europe. The primary objectives of MiFID are to increase efficiency, enhance financial transparency, increase competition, and offer greater consumer protection in investment services.

HF Markets (UK) Ltd

HF Markets (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is an independent public body governed by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), working alongside the UK Treasury with the aim to support and empower a healthy and successful financial system where firms can thrive and consumers benefit from honest, fair and effective markets that are trustworthy and transparent. The UK and European companies have some trading restrictions because of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) influence. This includes maximum leverage of 1:30.

HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd

HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Aiming to develop, administer and enforce world-class regulation of financial services within the Middle East’s leading financial hub, DFSA is the independent regulator of financial services conducted in or from the Dubai International Financial Centre.

HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd

HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd is an authorised Financial Service Provider from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. FSCA is an independent institution established by statute to oversee the South African non-banking financial services industry. It regulates the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the largest exchange in the African continent.

HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd

HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd is regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA). The authority is the regulator for non-bank financial services in the country and is responsible for the licensing, supervision and development of the non-bank financial services industry of the Seychelles.

HFM Investments Ltd

HFM Investments Ltd is authorized by the Capital Markets Authority (CIMA) in the Republic of Kenya as a non-dealing online foreign exchange broker.

Funds

Security of client funds is a top priority. In order to allow traders to focus on their trading without needing to worry about safety of funds, they have implemented additional security measures. Clients funds are already protected under the regulatory requirements and to further safeguard liabilities against clients, HF Markets EU have an insurance program at no extra cost to client. This insurance is limited to 5 million and covers against risks that may lead to financial loss such as errors, negligence, omissions, fraud, etc.

HF Markets EU hold client funds in separate accounts with major global banks so they cannot be used for any other purpose. There is negative balance protection which means that in volatile market conditions, the client is not responsible for a negative balance scenario.

HF Markets EU is a member of the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). The purpose of the ICF is to secure the claims of covered clients against the ICF members through the payment of compensation if the necessary preconditions are fulfilled. This fund was established under the Investment Firms Law of 2002 as amended (‘the Law’) and the Establishment and Operation of an Investor Compensation Fund for Customers of CIFs Regulations of 2004 which were issued under the Law. The Fund constitutes a private legal entity which is administered by a committee of five members who are each designated for three-year terms. The Fund has been operating since May 30, 2004.

Countries

The HF Markets Group accepts clients from all over the world, excluding USA, Canada, Sudan, Syria and North Korea. If you find that they do not accept client from your country, please feel free to browse our broker reviews for some alternative options.

Platforms

HF Markets offer the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 trading platforms. MetaTrader is available for desktop, web and mobile. It is worth noting that HF Markets offer a vast array of trading tools that can be added to the platforms to improve overall functionality. I am a big fan of the MetaTrader platforms and think they are ideal for manual and automated trading. You can also get free access to both platforms through other brokers including RoboForex.

MetaTrader Platforms

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

Developed by MetaQuotes Software and released in 2005, MetaTrader 4, also known as MT4, is an electronic trading platform that is the most widely used platform today. It is often seen as the entry platform for those who are new to online trading whilst being advanced enough to satisfy the needs of the more experienced traders.

MT4 is very well known for its user-friendly interface, variety of trading tools and resources. It allows users to analyse different asset charts across multiple timeframes with 50+ built in indicators and tools for conducting thorough technical analysis.

The built in MetaEditor can be used to develop your own custom indicators and automated trading systems (expert advisors) in the MQL4 programming language. There is also a large online community where users share indicators and expert advisors.

MT4 supports one click trading, multiple order types, displays live price quotes in the market watch window, has a news feed embedded directly within the platform and shows real time client account summary including account balance, equity, margin and floating profit/loss.

MT4 is available on desktop (Windows / Mac), web and mobile (iPhone / iPad / Android / Tablet).

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) Platforms

Multi-Terminal

The multi-terminal platform offers an efficient way to simultaneously manage multiple trading accounts from one interface. It has the familiarity and powerful features of MT4 with added functionality. It supports an unlimited amount of trading accounts that are updated in real time. You can monitor live price feeds, view account history and execute multiple order types.

MT4 Web Terminal

The MT4 web terminal provides the same intuitive platform and functions as the MT4 desktop platform directly from any web browser. This is beneficial as you do not need to download, install and run any other additional software whilst you can trade from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Other benefits include trade directly from charts, configurable charts and real-time quotes.

MT4 Mobile App

The MT4 mobile terminal is compatible with Android and iOS devices. It is specifically designed for trading on the go with full functionality. You can access your account and conduct your trading activities from anywhere at any time, provided you have an internet connection. The MT4 mobile app is available to download for free from the relevant app stores.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

MT5 gives you all the benefits of MT4 with some extra features including 21 different timeframes, 100+ technical indicators, ability to view 100+ charts simultaneously, enhanced order management capabilities and more.

MT5 is a powerful but user-friendly platform that offers total control of your trades for an enhanced trading experience. Whilst MT4 would be suitable for most traders, MT5 is also easily accessible and available on desktop (Windows / Mac), web and mobile (iPhone / iPad / Android / Tablet).

MT5 Web Terminal

The MT5 web terminal gives you all of the same features as the MT5 desktop terminal without the need to download, install or run any software. You can just launch the web terminal from any computer and browser then start trading in seconds with all the same functions as the MT5 desktop platform.

MT5 Mobile App

The MT5 mobile terminal gives you full control over your account on your Android and iOS phone or tablet devices. This platform is useful for traders who need to conveniently access their accounts on the go from where in the world. You can place traders, manage positions and conduct chart analysis. Push notification signals are also supported by the trading app which is a great way to get notified when price reached your desired level.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) Platform

Tools

HF Markets clients have access to download premium trader tools which provide institutional quality technology, advanced trading tools, market news and analysis. Premium tools can be used by all levels of traders and different requirements. They have evolved over time based on user feedback and each tool includes detailed user guides and tutorial videos. I think there is more than enough tools available for everyone, regardless of your trading style. You can setup the platforms to be as simplistic or complex as you need them to be.

Trade Terminal

This useful tool is full of features for analysing instruments and executing trades. There are a number of extra features that are not usually included by default within the trading platforms which can improve the speed and ease of trading.

The trade terminal supports one click trading, gives an overview of current account metrics, displays a list of all open positions and pending orders, allows users to carry out multiple operations all at once, set money management rules templates and analysis of positions.

Mini Terminal

This is an extension of the trade terminal designed for traders who want to concentrate on a specific market. It displays the same deal ticket as the trade terminal in the context of a specific trading chart and can be undocked from its trading chart into a floating window. Smart lines let you set stop loss and take profit levels by drawing lines. The deal ticket in the mini terminal allows you to set money management options and create templates for frequently used functions. There are quick links for buying, selling, closing all positions, reversing positions or hedging.

Connect

The connect tool provides a fully customisable automatically updated news feed and economic calendar. You can choose to receive the real time news relevant to you and set alerts.

Sentiment Trader

The sentiment tool shows the current and historical market sentiment on a chosen instrument by displaying the number of HF Market traders who are short or long. This is often used as part of a contrarian trading strategy against the sentiment.

Session Map

The session map shows you an overview of the key markets and time zones. It shows the current time which is adjustable according to your location, markers for up and coming news releases, overview of price movements from each trading session. The main trading sessions are New York, London, Tokyo and Sydney.

Alarm Manager

The alarm manager is like having a personal assistant that can notify you and your social media followers about specific events and can perform a number of automatic actions for you including opening positions, sending emails and more. This can be a great way to keep track of the markets without needing to watch charts all day long.

Excel RTD

This tool can use simple formulas to send real time account, ticket and price data directly into Excel. If you have the programming skills, it can also send trade commands from Excel or any other COM environment.

Market Manager

The market manager is a small window that stays on top so you can keep it in view whilst using other applications such as your web browser or media player. It provides an overview of all account activity and supports multiple actions from within the window.

Correlation Matrix

The correlation matrix displays the correlation between different markets with colour coded highlighted areas of low or high correlation. This correlation information can be used as part of the technical analysis for a trading strategy.

Correlation Trader

The correlation trader enables users to compare the correlation between 2 different instruments for spotting emerging differences. It also shows any open positions on the chosen symbol and recent price activity.

Tick Chart Trader

This tool displays various different types of tick charts and can be used for fast order entry using single mouse-clicks or keyboard shortcuts.

MT4 Indicator Package

This is a package of very useful and commonly requested additional chart indicators for the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform. Indicators include Renko bars, pivot points, chart-grouping, highs and lows, order history, candle countdown, and freehand drawing directly onto the chart.

Autochartist

The Autochartist tool will scan your chosen instruments for chart and technical patterns then alert you when it finds an opportunity. This saves you time from having to scan multiple charts yourself and patterns can be filtered by probability. I think this is a superb tool for automated market analysis that can be customised to your preferences. It is one of the best tools for market analysis and not available through many brokers, Forex.com being another option.

Autochartist

The HF Markets App

The HF app provides clients with live streaming market prices, news, market analysis and access to the HF Markets client area. Other trading tools are available from within the app as is a collection of educational material to help you learn whilst on the go.

HFcopy

HFcopy allows traders to offer signals for followers to copy automatically to their trading account. Signal providers can receive a performance fee whilst followers maintain full control over their account and can choose from and manage the traders they are following at any time. It must be noted that past signal performance is by no means any guarantee of future performance. If you are looking for a signal service, please feel free to take a look at our best copy trading platforms.

Economic Calendar

The customisable economic calendar lets traders keep track of the latest global economic news events with indications on the potential impact the news can have. Actual, consensus and previous results of the news releases are displayed. Users can filter the news according to the date, country and level of impact. This calendar can be used to assist with fundamental analysis. I think it is a vital tool and always like to check for any pending news releases before making any trade decisions. It is not nice to get caught on the wrong side of a major news event. It is worth noting that there is an economic calendar built-in the MT5 platform which is quick and easy to access, saving you from needing to switch between tabs constantly.

Traders Board

The traders board allows users to get breaking market news, identify the biggest currency movers, gauge market sentiment with a breakdown of client positions and analyse volume traded per symbol.

One Click Trading

The one click trading functionality lets you place trades with a single click which can be useful for those who depend on fast execution such as scalpers.

HF Markets VPS Hosting

A VPS lets you run your trading platform 24/7 without needing your computer switched on which can be useful for those traders who wish to run automated systems (expert advisors) and those who have an unreliable internet connection. They can minimise downtime and be accessed remotely.

HF Markets VPS provider is Beeks Financial Cloud who have a presence in nine international data centres so as to ensure lightning-fast response times. Their focus is to provide low latency, rock solid VPS and infrastructure solutions for traders with an easily accessible trading platform.

I have my own VPS through a third-party and find it to be an invaluable tool for remotely running multiple instances of the MT4 platform. I use it to compare brokers and test out my automated trading strategies to see how they perform. I think it is great that a VPS allows me to do so without needing my own computer on all of the time.

HF Markets offer a virtual private server (VPS) starting from $30 per month or free upon request for eligible clients who meet the $5,000 minimum account requirement to qualify. It is worth noting that you can get access to a free VPS from other brokers such as IC Markets.

HF Markets Calculators

There are a number of different trading calculators that can help with planning and managing positions. The calculators can calculate risk percentage, multiple targets, pivot points, pip value, position size, risk/reward and Fibonacci levels. This can be a handy way to quickly perform calculations if you are in a rush or just not very good at maths.

Education

HF Markets have a good range of educational resources aimed towards improving trader’s knowledge and skills. There is something for every level of trader with free live webinars, market analysis, training videos, eCourses and more. IronFX also have a great range of educational guides and videos if you are a beginner and looking to get up to speed.

Live Webinars

There are frequently run free live webinars which include tips and knowledge from HF Market experts. Webinars cover a variety of different trading topics from strategies to market analysis. They are concluded with Q&A sessions that allow you to communicate directly with the presenter. Past webinars are also available to view from the archive.

HF Markets Exclusive Analysis

HF Markets have a team of experienced market analysts with over 25 years of experience sharing the latest market analysis and forecasts with traders. This includes detailed fundamental analysis of news releases, technical analysis across multiple asset classes and special reports. There is a very generous amount of frequently updated materials to help you understand how the markets work and for you to keep up to date with the latest market happenings and to find potential trade opportunities.

Educational & Tutorial Videos

HF Markets offer a series of educational videos that cover the trading basics, help you to understand various financial markets, give you insights into fundamental/technical analysis and explain how psychology can impact your trading.

HF Markets Trading eCourse

Clients can access HF Markets comprehensive educational eCourse from the myHF client portal. The course is easy to follow with step by step trading guides introducing you to the basics of trading. It goes on to show you how you can read and interpret financial charts, understand trading strategies, how to develop the right trading psychology and putting what you have learned into practice.

FAQs

There is a frequently asked question (FAQ) section on the HF Markets website that covers a variety of trading topics such as accounts, platforms, terminology and more. This can be a quick way to get some answers to questions that you may have without needing to reach out to support.

Global Economic Releases

This section explains the importance of economic releases from each country. I think this can be implemented as part of the fundamental analysis of a particular trading strategy.

Markets

HF Markets is a multi-asset broker who have a generous amount of global financial trading instruments covering multiple markets including Forex, Cryptocurrencies, Spot Metals, Energies, Commodities, Indices, Bonds and popular Shares such as Google, Apple and Facebook. There is something for everyone to trade, regardless of your interests. I think everyone will be able to build a diversified portfolio.

Forex

The broker has 50+ major, minor and exotic forex currency pairs to trade 24/5 with very competitive spreads (starting from 0 pips) and commissions.

Cryptocurrencies

You can trade cryptos including Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Metals

HF Markets offer gold, silver and other spot metals in both USD and EUR.

Indices

You can trade indices with a host of the world’s leading Indices such as the UK 100, USA 100 and Shanghai Composite.

Shares

The broker allows you to trade stocks in over 50+ global leading blue-chip companies such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Facebook and Coca Cola.

Energies

There are popular energies for trading such as oil and natural gas. Spreads and margins are competitive.

Commodities

You can get access to commission free trading on commodities such as coffee, cotton and sugar.

Bonds

HF Markets are one of a few online brokers who support trading bonds issued by the worlds leading economies, including the Euro Bunds, UK Gilts and US 10-year Treasury Notes.

Accounts

HF Markets offer a variety of flexible account types to suit the specific requirements of different traders. Accounts vary from the minimum deposit required, lot sizes and trading conditions. Swap free Islamic accounts that comply with Sharia law are available. Demo accounts can be opened to test the different trading platforms and account conditions before opening a real account.

Micro Account

The micro account is designed for new traders and those who are trading smaller volumes, it allows clients to trade smaller trade sizes and open an account with a lower initial deposit. The minimum deposit is $50, minimum lot size 0.01 and maximum lot size 7. Spreads are variable starting from 1 pip and there is no commission charged. The maximum amount of simultaneous open orders allowed is 150.

Premium Account

The premium account accommodates the more experienced retail traders. One of the key features is the flexibility in position sizing. The minimum deposit is $100, minimum lot size 0.01 and maximum lot size 60. Spreads are variable starting from 1 pip and there is no commission charged. The maximum amount of simultaneous open orders allowed is 300.

Zero Spread Account

The zero spread account is suitable for all traders, but is particularly useful for scalpers, high-volume traders and those who trade with expert advisors. The variable spreads starting from 0 pips are raw direct from liquidity providers with no hidden mark ups and there is a competitive commission charged. Commission starts from as low as $0.03 per standard lot depending on trading volume. The more volume traded, the better the commission that can be negotiated. The minimum deposit is $200, minimum lot size 0.01 and maximum lot size 60. The maximum amount of simultaneous open orders allowed is 500.

HFcopy Account

The HFcopy account is for traders who wish to provide signals and for followers who wish to copy these signals. Signal providers can receive a performance fee whilst followers can get automated trading signals directly to their account. This account is only available to clients whose suitability will be assessed prior to participation. It should be emphasised that past performance does not at all guarantee future results. The minimum deposit is $100, minimum lot size 0.01 and maximum lot size 60. Spreads are variable starting from 1 pip and there is no commission charged. The maximum amount of simultaneous open orders allowed is 300.

Premium Pro Account

The premium pro account is to cater for the needs of clients who qualify as professional traders. It is for the more experienced and knowledgeable traders. The minimum deposit is $500, minimum lot size 0.01 and maximum lot size 60. Spreads are variable starting from 1 pip and there is no commission charged. The maximum amount of simultaneous open orders allowed is 300. One of the main differences of this account is the ability to apply for increased leverage.

Support

HF Markets customer support is available in 27 languages and provided 24/5 via online chat, telephone and email. Local customer support phone numbers are available in 10 countries, including United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, and South Africa. There is a trading desk available to all account holders for clients who wish to close and manage orders over the phone. This can be useful should you lose internet connection. I am really impressed with the support and have always found the broker a pleasure to deal with. However, I do think they could improve by extending support hours to 24/7.

Funding

HF Markets offer a decent selection of deposit and withdrawal methods to suit different client needs. All live account holders automatically qualify for free account funding. They will even refund you if your bank charges you for making a deposit.

The method you choose may depend on how long it takes to process. If you want something quick then you may consider an online payment processor. Please note that some methods may only be available to specific countries.

Some fees may be charged when using certain payment methods. Bank transfers may take a few business days to clear whilst some methods such as card payments can be instant.

Accounts can only be opened in USD and EUR which is quite limited. I think it would be better if they could support some more different currency options as currency conversion fees do not apply when using an account in your own currency. Libertex on the other hand have a good selection of funding options.

Conclusion

Overall, there are many aspects of HF Markets that I am very impressed with. They are a well-established and multi-regulated online broker that offer a great range of trading instruments across multiple asset classes. They have won numerous awards and give you convenient access to the global markets with competitive trading conditions including tight spreads and low commissions. The trading platforms are user-friendly whilst there is a vast collection of high-quality trading tools and educational material available to help with your decision making. I found there to be a good variety of account types and funding options for everyone. The charitable work that they do is highly commendable and shows great social responsibility. If you are an active trader and looking to trade in a regulated environment with a top broker, HF Markets are certainly worth consideration.

$100

HF Markets is a multi-regulated broker with a great selection of financial instruments for trading on the user-friendly MetaTrader platforms with competitive fees. You get access to a good range of trading tools for market analysis and educational content to help make informed decisions.

Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

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