Atlanticmarkets.co.uk Review

Based on checking the website Atlanticmarkets.co.uk, it appears to be a platform focused on spread bets and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) trading. This domain of finance, particularly involving leverage and speculative instruments like CFDs, is inherently problematic from an ethical standpoint due to its strong resemblance to gambling and the presence of riba (interest) through overnight financing charges often associated with such instruments. The high risk of losing money rapidly, as explicitly stated on their homepage (“68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider”), further underscores the speculative and often detrimental nature of these activities. Engaging in such high-risk, speculative trading with leverage is not aligned with ethical financial principles, which prioritise tangible assets, risk-sharing, and avoiding excessive uncertainty.

Here’s an overall review summary:

Website Focus: Spread bets and CFDs trading.
Ethical Compliance: Not compliant due to speculative nature, leverage, and potential for riba.
Risk Disclosure: Prominently highlights high risk of losing money (68% of retail accounts).
Services Offered: Research, live alerts, trading platforms, personal service, IPO tracking.
Regulatory Status: FCA Authorised (Register No 764562).
Overall Recommendation: Not recommended for ethical reasons.

While Atlanticmarkets.co.uk presents itself as an “Award Winning Multi-asset Advisory Broker” offering “The Professional Edge” and “Expert Research,” the core instruments they facilitate—spread bets and CFDs—remain a significant concern. The allure of “live trade alerts” and “position management” might seem appealing for those looking to engage with financial markets, but the underlying mechanisms involve elements that are best avoided. Their emphasis on a “Dedicated Contact” and “Personal Service” aims to build client confidence, and their FCA authorisation suggests regulatory oversight. However, even with regulatory approval, the nature of the financial products themselves can lead to severe financial detriment for the majority of users, as their own data indicates. For those seeking to engage with financial markets in a permissible and responsible manner, it is crucial to look beyond speculative instruments and towards real asset-backed investments and ethical wealth creation.

Here are some alternatives for ethical financial engagement and wealth building:

Wahed Invest: A prominent global ethical digital investment platform. Wahed offers a range of ethically screened portfolios, from cautious to aggressive, investing in Sharia-compliant equities, sukuk (Islamic bonds), and gold. It provides diversified investment opportunities without engaging in interest, gambling, or other impermissible activities. It focuses on long-term wealth building with transparency and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Amanah Union: An ethical asset management firm that focuses on tangible, Sharia-compliant investments. They offer solutions for individuals and institutions looking to grow their wealth through real estate, trade finance, and other asset-backed ventures, avoiding speculative and interest-based instruments.
Alternative Property Investment Platforms (e.g., Property Partner for fractional property investment): Platforms that allow individuals to invest in real estate by buying shares in properties. This offers a tangible asset basis for investment and a direct link to real economic activity, bypassing the speculative nature of CFDs. Note: Ensure the specific platform’s underlying financing and operational models are free from interest or impermissible elements.
Ethical Savings Accounts (e.g., Gatehouse Bank): These are often offered by Islamic banks or ethical financial institutions. They provide returns based on profit-sharing models derived from ethical investments rather than interest (riba). These accounts are a secure way to save money while adhering to ethical principles, often regulated by the UK’s PRA and FCA.
Zakat and Sadaqah Platforms (e.g., National Zakat Foundation): While not investment platforms, these are crucial for ethical financial stewardship. They facilitate giving to charity and supporting those in need, fostering a community-focused approach to wealth. Engaging in Zakat and Sadaqah is a fundamental aspect of financial ethics, promoting equitable wealth distribution and purification.
Responsible Investment Funds (Look for ESG or Sharia-compliant funds offered by major asset managers): Many mainstream asset managers now offer funds that focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. While not all are explicitly Sharia-compliant, some align closely with ethical principles by avoiding industries like alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and conventional finance. Always scrutinise the fund’s holdings and methodology.
Online Courses for Skill Development (e.g., Coursera, edX for business and entrepreneurship skills): Instead of speculative trading, investing in personal skill development and entrepreneurship can be a highly ethical and sustainable way to build wealth. These platforms offer courses in various fields, from digital marketing to business management, empowering individuals to create real value.

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Table of Contents

Atlanticmarkets.co.uk Review & First Look

Upon a initial review of Atlanticmarkets.co.uk, the immediate impression is one of a professional brokerage aiming to attract clients interested in online trading. The website’s design is clean, with a clear corporate identity. However, the prominent risk warning at the top of the homepage—”Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider”—serves as a critical indicator of the nature of the services offered. This direct admission of significant client losses is a stark reminder of the inherent risks.

The site immediately highlights its “Award Winning” status and claims to offer a “Professional Edge,” which includes access to research, live alerts, and various trading platforms. The focus appears to be on providing tools and support for traders, rather than simply offering a platform. This advisory approach is a key differentiator from many execution-only brokers.

Initial Impressions and Disclosures

The initial visual presentation of Atlanticmarkets.co.uk is that of a well-established financial entity. The use of professional imagery and clear calls to action, such as “Open Account,” aims to inspire confidence. What immediately stands out, however, is the bold, unmissable disclaimer regarding the high probability of losing money. This isn’t just a regulatory formality; it’s a critical piece of information that sets the tone for the entire service. The percentage provided, “68% of retail investor accounts lose money,” is a substantial figure that should prompt any potential client to exercise extreme caution.

Understanding the Core Products: Spread Bets and CFDs

The core of Atlanticmarkets.co.uk’s offering revolves around spread bets and CFDs. These are derivative financial instruments that allow traders to speculate on the price movements of various assets (like stocks, indices, commodities, and currencies) without actually owning the underlying asset.

Spread Bets: Involve speculating on whether a financial instrument’s price will rise or fall. Traders place a “bet” per point of movement. If the price moves in their favour, they gain; if against, they lose. Profits are typically tax-free in the UK (on capital gains tax and stamp duty), which adds to their appeal but doesn’t negate the underlying risk.
CFDs (Contracts for Difference): Similar to spread bets, CFDs allow traders to speculate on price changes. The difference is that CFDs are typically subject to capital gains tax in the UK. Both instruments commonly utilise leverage, meaning a small initial deposit (margin) can control a much larger position. This amplifies both potential profits and, more significantly, potential losses.

From an ethical perspective, both instruments raise red flags. Their highly speculative nature, coupled with leverage, makes them akin to gambling. The primary focus is not on investing in productive assets or sharing in business profits, but on predicting short-term price fluctuations. Furthermore, CFDs often involve overnight financing charges, which can constitute riba (interest), further complicating their ethical standing. Curativehypnotherapyyork.co.uk Review

Atlanticmarkets.co.uk Pros & Cons

When evaluating Atlanticmarkets.co.uk, it’s essential to dissect its offerings, especially considering the ethical lens through which we view financial platforms. Given the nature of spread betting and CFD trading, the ‘pros’ from a traditional investment perspective often translate into ‘cons’ from an ethical one, primarily due to the inherent risks and speculative characteristics.

Cons of Atlanticmarkets.co.uk (from an Ethical Standpoint)

The primary “pros” for a conventional trader—like leverage, speed, and access to various markets—are precisely what make these instruments ethically problematic. Therefore, from a responsible and ethical perspective, the discussion leans heavily towards the cons.

High Risk and Leverage: The most significant concern. The website clearly states that “68% of retail investor accounts lose money.” This is not a minor detail; it is a fundamental flaw. Leverage, while amplifying potential gains, disproportionately amplifies losses, often leading to rapid and substantial depletion of capital. This level of risk is not aligned with principles of responsible wealth management.
Speculative Nature (Akin to Gambling): Spread bets and CFDs are derivative products where the focus is on speculating price movements rather than investing in the underlying asset or real economic activity. This makes them highly similar to gambling, which is discouraged. Wealth generation should ideally stem from tangible assets, productive enterprises, or legitimate trade, not from zero-sum speculation.
Potential for Riba (Interest): CFDs, especially when held overnight, often incur financing charges. These charges are a form of interest (riba), which is explicitly prohibited in ethical financial principles. Even if Atlanticmarkets.co.uk doesn’t directly charge riba on deposits, the mechanics of CFD trading frequently involve it through these financing rates.
Complexity and Lack of Transparency for Retail Traders: While the website promotes “expert research” and “award-winning platforms,” the instruments themselves are complex. Many retail traders may not fully grasp the intricacies of margin calls, rollover charges, and how external market events can quickly erode their capital. This lack of full understanding can lead to uninformed decisions.
Focus on Short-Term Gains, Not Long-Term Wealth: The very design of spread bets and CFDs encourages short-term speculation rather than long-term, sustainable wealth building. Ethical financial practices emphasize patient investment in real assets that contribute to economic growth and stability.
Psychological Impact: The rapid wins and losses inherent in highly leveraged trading can have significant psychological impacts on individuals, leading to stress, anxiety, and potentially addictive behaviour, akin to problem gambling.
No Tangible Asset Ownership: Unlike traditional investing, where you own shares in a company or a portion of a property, with CFDs and spread bets, you never own the underlying asset. This detachment from real economic value makes the activity purely financial engineering rather than productive investment.

Regulatory Compliance (A Limited “Pro”)

While not directly an ethical “pro,” it’s worth acknowledging that Atlanticmarkets.co.uk is “FCA Authorised” with Register No 764562. This indicates that they operate under the regulatory framework of the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. This compliance offers some level of consumer protection in terms of operational standards, segregation of client funds, and dispute resolution mechanisms. However, regulatory compliance does not negate the inherent ethical concerns of the products themselves. Being regulated merely means the firm adheres to rules for offering these products, not that the products are ethically sound. For instance, a regulated gambling site is still a gambling site.

Atlanticmarkets.co.uk Alternatives

Given the ethical and financial concerns associated with spread betting and CFDs, exploring ethical alternatives for wealth management and investment is paramount. These alternatives focus on real assets, legitimate trade, risk-sharing, and avoiding interest (riba) and excessive speculation.

Ethical Investment Platforms and Products

Wahed Invest: As mentioned earlier, Wahed Invest is a premier ethical digital investment platform available in the UK. They offer a range of Sharia-compliant portfolios, investing in global equities screened for ethical adherence (e.g., avoiding industries like alcohol, tobacco, gambling, conventional finance, and adult entertainment), sukuk (Islamic bonds), and gold. Wahed is regulated by the FCA and provides a transparent, low-cost way to invest ethically for the long term. Their model is based on profit-sharing and real asset exposure, not speculation or interest.
Gatehouse Bank: A fully Sharia-compliant bank in the UK offering various ethical financial products. Their savings accounts, for example, do not generate interest but instead offer an expected profit rate derived from ethical investments the bank undertakes. They also offer ethical home finance solutions, which are structured as lease-to-own agreements rather than interest-bearing mortgages. This provides a direct, ethical pathway to homeownership.
Takaful (Islamic Insurance): Instead of conventional insurance, which can involve elements of riba and uncertainty, Takaful operates on principles of mutual cooperation and solidarity. Participants contribute to a fund, and claims are paid from this fund. Any surplus is often shared among participants, avoiding interest and excessive uncertainty. While finding direct Takaful providers in the UK for all types of insurance can be challenging, exploring ethical insurance brokers or platforms that work with Takaful models is a viable alternative.
Direct Equity Investment in Ethical Companies: For those with a higher risk tolerance and a desire for direct ownership, investing in shares of ethically sound companies listed on stock exchanges can be an option. This requires thorough due diligence to ensure the company’s core business, financing, and operations align with ethical guidelines. Platforms like Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell allow direct share purchases, but the onus is on the investor to screen companies for ethical compliance.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – Screened: While standard REITs might include impermissible financing, ethically screened REITs or property funds that invest in real, income-generating properties can be an alternative. The income comes from rent, a legitimate form of earnings, and the underlying asset is tangible. It’s crucial to ensure the REIT’s financing structure is free from riba.

Alternatives for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Coursera / edX for Business and Entrepreneurship Courses: Rather than speculating on market movements, investing in one’s human capital is a highly ethical and sustainable way to build wealth. Platforms like Coursera and edX offer thousands of courses from top universities and companies on subjects like digital marketing, business management, data analysis, and software development. Acquiring valuable skills can lead to increased earning potential, entrepreneurial ventures, and a more stable financial future.
Starting an Ethical Small Business: Investing time, effort, and capital into a legitimate business that provides real value or services is a cornerstone of ethical wealth creation. This involves tangible production, trade, and employment, all of which are encouraged. Resources for small business startups in the UK, such as those provided by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) or the Prince’s Trust, can be invaluable.
Freelancing Platforms (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr): For individuals with marketable skills, offering services as a freelancer can be a flexible and ethical way to generate income. This involves direct provision of services for fair compensation, reflecting real economic activity.

Understanding the Risks of Spread Bets and CFDs

The disclaimer on Atlanticmarkets.co.uk about 68% of retail accounts losing money with spread bets and CFDs isn’t just a regulatory requirement; it’s a stark warning about the inherent dangers of these financial instruments. Understanding why these products are so risky is crucial for anyone considering them. The risks extend beyond mere financial loss, touching upon psychological and ethical dimensions. Sanambalti.co.uk Review

The Mechanism of Leverage

The primary driver of the high risk in spread bets and CFDs is leverage.

Amplified Exposure: Leverage allows a trader to control a large position with a relatively small amount of capital (margin). For instance, 1:30 leverage on a £1,000 deposit means you can control a £30,000 position.
Amplified Gains and Losses: While this amplifies potential profits from small market movements, it disproportionately amplifies losses. A small adverse price movement can lead to losses far exceeding the initial margin, often requiring additional funds (margin calls) or leading to the automatic closure of positions to prevent further negative balance.
Rapid Account Depletion: Due to leverage, unfavourable market movements can wipe out an entire account balance in a very short period, sometimes minutes, especially in volatile markets. This rapid depletion is a hallmark of highly leveraged trading.

Volatility and Market Movements

Financial markets are inherently volatile, influenced by a myriad of unpredictable factors.

Economic News: Interest rate decisions, inflation reports, employment figures, and GDP announcements can cause sudden and significant market swings.
Geopolitical Events: Wars, political instability, and international relations can send shockwaves through global markets.
Company-Specific News: Earnings reports, product launches, or major corporate announcements can lead to extreme price movements for individual stocks.
Sentiment and Speculation: Market movements are not always driven by fundamentals; often, they are influenced by investor sentiment, herd mentality, and pure speculation, making them even harder to predict.
Flash Crashes: Rare but devastating events where markets plummet unexpectedly due to automated trading systems or other factors, leaving little time for manual intervention.

Margin Calls and Account Liquidation

When a leveraged position moves against a trader, their account equity (the value of their account minus any open losses) can fall below the required maintenance margin.

Margin Call: The broker will issue a “margin call,” demanding that the trader deposit additional funds to bring their equity back up to the required level.
Forced Liquidation: If the trader fails to meet the margin call, or if the market moves too rapidly, the broker will automatically close (liquidate) the trader’s positions to prevent their account from going into a negative balance. This forced liquidation often occurs at the worst possible time for the trader, cementing their losses.
Negative Balance Protection: While some regulators (like the FCA in the UK for retail clients) mandate negative balance protection, meaning you cannot lose more than your deposited funds, this only caps losses at zero, not prevents them. The initial capital is still at high risk.

Lack of Underlying Asset Ownership

One of the fundamental differences between trading CFDs/spread bets and traditional investing is the absence of asset ownership.

No Dividends or Voting Rights: You don’t own the shares, so you don’t receive dividends (unless a dividend adjustment is made, which is merely a cash adjustment) or have voting rights in a company.
Pure Speculation: Your profit or loss is solely based on the price difference between when you opened and closed your position. This disconnects the activity from real economic value creation and focuses it entirely on speculation.

Counterparty Risk

When you trade CFDs or spread bets, you are entering into a contract with the broker, not with the broader market. Airporttaxisinverness.co.uk Review

Broker as Counterparty: The broker is your direct counterparty. This means the broker benefits when you lose and loses when you win. While regulated brokers are typically robust, this structure can introduce a potential conflict of interest.
Broker Solvency: While less of an issue with FCA-regulated firms due to client money segregation, there’s always a theoretical risk if the broker faces severe financial distress.

FCA Authorisation and Regulation

Atlanticmarkets.co.uk prominently displays its FCA authorisation, stating: “Atlantic Capital Markets is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register No 764562.” This is a crucial piece of information that indicates the firm operates within a stringent regulatory framework in the United Kingdom.

What FCA Authorisation Means

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the conduct regulator for nearly 60,000 financial services firms and financial markets in the UK, and the prudential regulator for over 18,000 of those firms.

Consumer Protection: One of the FCA’s primary objectives is to protect consumers. This includes ensuring firms treat customers fairly, operate with integrity, and provide clear information about their products and risks.
Market Integrity: The FCA also aims to enhance the integrity of the UK financial system, promoting effective competition in the interests of consumers.
Stringent Rules: Firms authorised by the FCA must adhere to a comprehensive set of rules regarding capital requirements, client money segregation, complaints handling, and advertising standards. For instance, client funds must be held in segregated bank accounts, separate from the firm’s operational capital, ensuring that client money is protected in case of insolvency.
Compensation Scheme: Clients of FCA-authorised firms may be eligible for compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person, per firm, in the event the firm fails.
Risk Disclosures: The FCA mandates that firms offering complex instruments like CFDs and spread bets prominently display clear risk warnings, including the percentage of retail clients who lose money. This is why Atlanticmarkets.co.uk has the “68% lose money” disclaimer.

Limits of Regulation (Ethical Considerations)

While FCA authorisation offers a significant layer of protection against fraud and malpractice, it’s vital to understand its limitations, especially from an ethical standpoint.

Product Nature Unchanged: FCA regulation does not change the inherent nature of the financial products offered. If a product is fundamentally speculative, or involves riba, regulation merely ensures it’s offered fairly and transparently, not that it aligns with ethical financial principles.
Does Not Prevent Loss: Regulation aims to ensure transparency and fair practice, but it cannot prevent clients from losing money if they engage in high-risk activities. The 68% loss rate itself is a testament to this; even with regulation, the majority of traders still incur losses due to the product’s design.
Focus on Process, Not Outcome: The FCA’s focus is largely on the processes and conduct of firms, ensuring they comply with rules, rather than dictating which financial products should or should not exist based on broader ethical or moral considerations. Their role is to ensure markets function well, not to enforce specific ethical interpretations of financial transactions.

In summary, FCA authorisation provides a necessary regulatory umbrella, instilling confidence in the firm’s operational compliance. However, it does not validate the ethical permissibility of spread betting and CFD trading itself, nor does it guarantee profitable outcomes for traders. The individual must still critically assess whether these products align with their own financial and ethical principles.

The Problem with Speculation and Riba in Finance

The core issue with platforms like Atlanticmarkets.co.uk, from an ethical standpoint, lies in the fundamental nature of the financial instruments they offer: spread bets and CFDs. These products are deeply intertwined with the concepts of speculation and, often, riba (interest), both of which are strongly cautioned against in ethical financial guidelines. Saltairewebdesign.co.uk Review

The Nature of Speculation (Gharar)

Speculation, particularly in highly leveraged derivatives, often falls under the ethical concept of “gharar,” which refers to excessive uncertainty or risk in a transaction.

Excessive Uncertainty: In speculative trading, the outcome is highly unpredictable, based on mere anticipation of price movements rather than fundamental value or productive economic activity. The inherent risk is not reasonably quantifiable or manageable by the average participant.
Zero-Sum Game: Many speculative markets, especially short-term trading of derivatives, can resemble a zero-sum game. One person’s gain is often directly another’s loss, rather than collective wealth creation through legitimate trade or investment in productive assets.
Detachment from Real Economy: Speculation detaches finance from the real economy. Instead of channelling funds into businesses that produce goods and services, employ people, or innovate, it focuses on profiting from market fluctuations. This can lead to market instability and bubbles.
Social Harm: When wealth is generated through speculation rather than productive work, it can lead to economic imbalances and a sense of unfairness. It fosters a get-rich-quick mentality, which is often unsustainable and can cause severe financial distress to individuals and families, as evidenced by the high loss rates.

The Prohibition of Riba (Interest)

Riba, or interest, is another major ethical concern often found implicitly or explicitly in derivative trading.

Unjust Gain: Riba is considered an unjust gain because it represents an increase in wealth without corresponding effort, risk, or tangible value creation. It’s charging for the use of money itself, rather than for the productive deployment of capital.
Overnight Financing Charges: A common feature of CFDs is the overnight financing charge. If a CFD position is held open overnight, the trader is typically charged a fee (or paid a small amount, though charges are more common) based on the value of the position. This charge is essentially an interest rate applied to the leveraged capital being used. This is a clear instance of riba.
Debt Generation: Riba-based transactions can lead to excessive debt, which can entrap individuals and economies in cycles of financial burden, particularly when combined with highly leveraged positions.
Inequity: Riba benefits the wealthy (lenders) at the expense of the needy (borrowers), widening economic disparity.

Ethical Alternatives to Speculation and Riba

Instead of engaging in speculative, interest-based trading, ethical financial principles advocate for:

Real Asset-Backed Investments: Investing in tangible assets such as real estate, businesses, commodities (like gold or silver in their physical form), or shares of companies involved in permissible activities. Here, profit is derived from the growth, income, or legitimate trade of a real asset.
Risk-Sharing and Partnership (Musharakah and Mudarabah): Rather than interest-based loans, ethical finance promotes profit-and-loss sharing partnerships. This means that both parties share the risks and rewards of an enterprise, aligning their interests and promoting a more equitable distribution of gains and losses.
Ethical Trade (Murabahah): Engaging in transparent and fair trade where profit is earned from buying and selling goods with a clear mark-up, rather than from charging interest on money lent.
Charitable Giving (Zakat and Sadaqah): Acknowledging that wealth has a social dimension and that a portion should be distributed to those in need, purifying the remaining wealth and fostering social cohesion.

By steering clear of speculation and riba, individuals can engage in financial activities that are not only conducive to sustainable wealth creation but also align with broader principles of justice, equity, and social responsibility.

How to Make Ethical Financial Decisions

Making ethical financial decisions in today’s complex world requires a conscious effort and a clear understanding of principles. It’s about aligning your financial actions with values that prioritise fairness, justice, and long-term societal well-being over short-term speculative gains. Beatlesstorelondon.co.uk Review

Understanding Your Values and Principles

The first step is to clearly define what “ethical” means to you. For many, this involves adherence to specific religious or moral guidelines that prohibit certain activities.

Identify Prohibited Activities: This includes avoiding investments or transactions that involve interest (riba), gambling (excessive speculation, gharar), prohibited industries (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, adult entertainment, conventional banking/insurance), and activities that cause social or environmental harm.
Define Permissible Activities: Focus on sectors that align with your values. This typically includes real estate, ethical trade, renewable energy, technology (ethically applied), healthcare, and education, provided their operations are also ethical.
Seek Knowledge: Educate yourself about ethical finance principles. There are numerous resources available online, books, and webinars that can help you understand the nuances of ethical investing and financial transactions. Organisations like the UK Saria Council or Islamic Finance Council UK often provide guidance.

Due Diligence on Financial Products and Services

Once your principles are clear, rigorous due diligence is essential before committing to any financial product or service.

Read the Small Print (Terms & Conditions): Don’t just skim. Look for details on how profits are generated, what fees are charged (especially overnight financing or rollover fees in trading), and the underlying mechanisms of the product.
Verify Compliance: For products claiming to be “ethical” or “Sharia-compliant,” seek independent verification or certifications from reputable ethical advisory boards or scholars. Don’t rely solely on marketing claims.
Understand Risk vs. Speculation: Differentiate between acceptable business risk (e.g., investing in a startup where there’s a real chance of failure but also real value creation) and pure speculation (e.g., betting on short-term price movements without any underlying asset ownership or productive activity).
Investigate the Business Model: Understand how the financial institution itself generates its revenue. Is it through interest, fees on speculative products, or legitimate trade and investment in real assets?
Check Regulatory Status: While regulation doesn’t guarantee ethical alignment, it provides a layer of consumer protection and ensures the firm operates within legal boundaries. Always check the regulator’s register (e.g., FCA Register in the UK) to confirm the firm’s authorisation and what activities they are permitted to conduct.

Prioritising Long-Term, Sustainable Wealth

Ethical finance encourages a long-term perspective focused on sustainable wealth creation rather than quick, risky gains.

Invest in Real Assets: Prioritise investments in tangible assets, productive businesses, or services that contribute positively to society. This includes direct investments in real estate, ethically screened equities, or ethical business ventures.
Avoid Excessive Debt: Be wary of financial products that encourage excessive debt, especially interest-bearing loans or credit cards. Focus on saving and investing based on your means.
Embrace Profit-and-Loss Sharing: Look for financial models that involve risk-sharing partnerships (like Mudarabah or Musharakah) rather than fixed-return, interest-based lending.
Charitable Giving: Incorporate regular charitable giving (Zakat, Sadaqah) into your financial plan. This purifies wealth, supports those in need, and reinforces a sense of social responsibility.
Financial Planning: Engage in thoughtful financial planning that aligns your spending, saving, and investment decisions with your ethical framework. This might involve consulting with financial advisors who specialise in ethical finance.

By adopting these principles, individuals can navigate the financial landscape more responsibly, ensuring their wealth is generated and managed in a way that benefits not only themselves but also the wider community and adheres to their core values.

FAQ

What is Atlanticmarkets.co.uk?

Atlanticmarkets.co.uk is an online brokerage firm based in the UK that offers trading services primarily in spread bets and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) across various financial markets, including stocks, indices, commodities, and currencies. Pitmanpropertymanagement.co.uk Review

Is Atlanticmarkets.co.uk regulated?

Yes, Atlanticmarkets.co.uk (Atlantic Capital Markets) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. Their FCA Register No is 764562.

What are spread bets and CFDs?

Spread bets and CFDs are leveraged financial derivatives that allow traders to speculate on the price movements of underlying assets without actually owning them. Spread bets are typically tax-free on capital gains in the UK, while CFDs can be subject to capital gains tax.

Is trading with Atlanticmarkets.co.uk risky?

Yes, trading spread bets and CFDs is highly risky. Atlanticmarkets.co.uk explicitly states on its homepage that “68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider” due to leverage.

Why are spread bets and CFDs considered ethically problematic?

Spread bets and CFDs are considered ethically problematic primarily due to their highly speculative nature, which can be likened to gambling (gharar – excessive uncertainty). Additionally, CFDs often involve overnight financing charges, which are a form of interest (riba), making them unsuitable for ethical financial principles.

Does Atlanticmarkets.co.uk offer negative balance protection?

As an FCA-regulated firm offering CFDs to retail clients, Atlanticmarkets.co.uk is required to provide negative balance protection, meaning retail clients cannot lose more than the funds in their trading account. However, this does not prevent the loss of all deposited funds. Westcoastgaragedoors.co.uk Review

What kind of support does Atlanticmarkets.co.uk offer?

Atlanticmarkets.co.uk claims to offer a “Personal Service” with a dedicated primary point of contact (relationship manager or investment advisor), expert research, live trade alerts, and support for trading needs.

Can I track IPOs with Atlanticmarkets.co.uk?

Yes, Atlanticmarkets.co.uk offers a service where clients can register for free updates to be kept informed about the latest Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the UK and US markets.

Are there alternatives to Atlanticmarkets.co.uk for ethical investing?

Yes, there are several ethical alternatives. These include platforms like Wahed Invest for Sharia-compliant portfolios, Gatehouse Bank for ethical savings and home finance, and investing directly in ethical businesses or real estate.

What are the main ethical concerns with leverage in trading?

Leverage amplifies both potential gains and losses. From an ethical standpoint, it introduces excessive risk and uncertainty (gharar), making financial activities more akin to speculation rather than productive investment, which can lead to rapid and substantial financial detriment.

How does riba (interest) apply to CFD trading?

CFDs often incur “overnight financing charges” or “rollover fees” if a position is held open for more than one day. These charges are essentially interest payments on the leveraged amount, which is considered riba and is prohibited in ethical finance. Graftonpharmacy.co.uk Review

What is the role of the FCA in relation to firms like Atlanticmarkets.co.uk?

The FCA ensures that firms like Atlanticmarkets.co.uk operate fairly, transparently, and adhere to strict rules regarding client money handling, risk disclosures, and complaints procedures. However, the FCA’s regulation does not imply ethical permissibility of the products themselves.

Can I build long-term wealth with spread bets and CFDs?

Building long-term, sustainable wealth with spread bets and CFDs is highly unlikely for the vast majority of retail traders due to their highly speculative nature and the compounding effect of leverage. These instruments are generally associated with short-term speculation rather than patient investment.

What does “Award Winning Multi-asset Advisory Broker” mean for Atlanticmarkets.co.uk?

This indicates that Atlanticmarkets.co.uk has received accolades or awards for its services as a broker dealing in multiple asset classes and offering advisory support. While impressive, it does not negate the inherent risks and ethical concerns of the products offered.

What are the psychological impacts of highly leveraged trading?

The rapid gains and losses inherent in highly leveraged trading can lead to significant psychological stress, anxiety, emotional decision-making, and even addictive behaviours, similar to problem gambling.

Why is owning the underlying asset important in ethical investing?

Ethical investing often prioritises ownership of tangible assets because it aligns with real economic activity and value creation (e.g., profits from a business, rent from property). With CFDs, you don’t own the asset, making it purely a speculative contract on price movements. Theallanparkstirling.co.uk Review

Where can I find ethical savings accounts in the UK?

Ethical savings accounts in the UK are typically offered by Islamic banks or financial institutions that adhere to ethical principles. Gatehouse Bank is a prominent example offering Sharia-compliant savings accounts.

How can I learn about ethical financial planning?

You can learn about ethical financial planning through various resources, including books on ethical or Islamic finance, online courses from reputable educational platforms, webinars, and by consulting with financial advisors who specialise in ethical investments.

What is the difference between investing and speculation in ethical finance?

Investing, in ethical finance, involves deploying capital into real assets or productive enterprises with the expectation of a return based on real economic growth and shared risk. Speculation, conversely, focuses on profiting from short-term price fluctuations without contributing to real value, often with excessive uncertainty and detached from tangible assets.

What should I look for in an ethical investment platform?

When choosing an ethical investment platform, look for clear adherence to ethical principles (e.g., Sharia compliance), transparency about their investment methodology, avoidance of prohibited industries and interest-based transactions, a focus on real asset-backed investments, and strong regulatory oversight.

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