Skip to content

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved.

Averaging down definition

When a trader purchases an asset, the asset’s price drops, and if the trader purchases more, it is referred to as averaging down.

It is called averaging down because the average cost of the asset or financial instrument has been lowered. Because of this, the point at which a trade can become profitable has also been lowered.

Whether it is a good idea to average down depends on the situation. If the particular asset’s price improves, then the original trade has been increased in profitability and your average entry price has decreased.

If the asset’s price then drops, however, the original trade’s loss has been increased further. For this reason, the subject of whether averaging down is a viable strategy is divisive among traders.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - Y

See all glossary trading terms

Help and support

Get answers

Or ask about opening an account on 1800 601 799, or +61 3 9860 1799, or helpdesk.au@ig.com.

If you're calling from NZ, you can contact us on 0800 442 150

We're here 24 hours a day, except from 7am to 5pm Saturdays (AEST).