Trading Commissions on MT5
MT5 trading platforms charge commissions (trading fees) that vary by contract type. These fees are deducted directly from your account balance when opening positions. Below is the detailed commission structure:
| Contract Type | Available Contracts | Leverage | Commission Per Lot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex | 61 | Up to 500:1 | $6 |
| Metals | 8 | Up to 500:1 | $6 |
| Commodities | 11 | 20:1 | $3 |
| Oil | 2 | Up to 500:1 | $3 |
| Indices (e.g., Nikkei225, HK50) | Varies | Up to 500:1 | $0.1–$3 |
| US Stock CFDs | 78 | Up to 5:1 | $0.04 (min $5/order) |
Commission Formula: Commission = Lot Size × Commission Per Lot
Example Calculations:
- SP500 Indices: 0.20 lots × $3 = **$0.60**
- AAPL CFD: 1 lot × $0.04 = **$0.04** (but min $5 applies)
👉 Learn how to optimize trading costs with strategic lot sizing.
Swap Fees (Overnight Financing)
Swap fees are charged for holding positions overnight. Rates differ by asset class:
Calculation Methods:
By Money (Indices)
Swap × Lot Size × Holding Days- Example: 2 lots of DJ30 held for 2 days = -10.3341 × 2 × 2 = -$41.34
By Points (Forex/Commodities)
Lot Size × Unit × Smallest Digit × Swap Rate × Days- Example: 5 lots of GAS-C (Gasoline) = 5 × 42,000 × 0.0001 × -21.9 × 1 = -$91.98
By Percentage (US Stocks)
CFD Quantity × Share Price × Swap Rate%/360- Example: 10 AAPL CFDs at $198.36 = 10 × 198.36 × -6.88%/360 = **-$0.38**
3-Day Weekend Swaps
- Applied Wednesdays to cover Saturday/Sunday non-trading days.
- Forex Example: EURUSD swap -0.1 points becomes -0.3 points on Wednesday nights.
👉 Master overnight fee strategies to reduce costs.
Dividend Adjustments for Indices
Key Concepts:
- Dividends are payouts from index constituent stocks.
- Adjustments credit/debit your account automatically.
Position Impact:
| Position Type | Adjustment Effect |
|---------------|-------------------|
| Long | Credited (+) |
| Short | Debited (-) |
Example:
- Dividend = $5/lot; 0.2 lots held → **$1** credited (long) or debited (short).
FAQs
1. How are MT5 commissions charged?
Commissions deduct from your balance upon opening a trade. Ensure sufficient funds to avoid liquidation.
2. When are swap fees applied?
At 00:00 server time (UTC+3/UTC+2 during daylight savings).
3. Why is the swap higher on Wednesdays?
It covers weekend interest for Saturday/Sunday when markets are closed.
4. Do all indices pay dividends?
Only those with dividend-paying constituents. Check contract specifications.
5. Can I avoid swap fees?
Close positions before 00:00 server time or use swap-free accounts if available.
6. How do I check my commission history?
Go to MT5’s History tab → Right-click → Orders & Deals.
Final Tips
- Monitor Market Watch → Specification for asset-specific swap rates.
- Size positions to account for commissions and swaps.
- Use MT5’s economic calendar to anticipate dividend events.
Optimize your trading strategy by understanding these fee structures thoroughly.