- Gold spreads can widen sharply around news and rollover
- Raw spread claims must be converted into all-in cost
- XAUUSD lot size and tick value must be checked before trading
- Use lower leverage on gold than on major FX pairs
July 2026 field note: IC Markets now presents the global brand as IC on some pages; always verify the exact legal entity, account page and client agreement for your region.
Quick Answer#
IC Markets can suit XAUUSD traders who need raw pricing, but gold risk depends on session, spread widening, swaps and lot sizing.
Convert IC Markets Gold Spreads Into All-In Cost#
XAUUSD is not EUR/USD. Spreads can widen around news and rollover even when Raw marketing shows from 0.0 pips.
Plan with the global overview commission baseline, then verify live:
- MetaTrader Raw: from 0.0 pips plus $3.50 per lot per side
- cTrader Raw: from 0 pips plus $3.00 per USD 100k
- Standard: spread-only model
Open the XAUUSD (or gold symbol) specification on MT4, MT5 or cTrader for your entity: contract size, tick value, margin currency, swap rules and minimum volume. Do not invent a “typical gold spread” number from memory.
Gold Session Checklist Before Scaling Lots#
- Confirm which account row you will use (Standard vs Raw vs cTrader Raw).
- Record gold spreads during London/New York overlap and separately near scheduled high-impact US data.
- Add round-turn commission in account currency and convert to gold price distance for your lot size.
- Check overnight swap or Islamic settings if you hold past rollover.
- Size gold with lower leverage than you would use on major FX pairs; tick value can make a “normal” lot aggressive.
Example: A Raw gold scalper measures overlap cost after commission and still beats Standard, but switches to Standard for infrequent swing holds where swap and commission dominate.
Common mistake: copying an EUR/USD lot-size habit onto XAUUSD because both symbols sit on the same Raw account.
Professional tip: keep a two-column log—quiet-session average vs event-window average—before deciding Raw is “cheap enough” for gold.
Raw vs Standard for IC Markets XAUUSD#
| Trader profile | Usually start with |
|---|---|
| High-frequency gold scalping | Raw / cTrader Raw after live maths |
| Small or infrequent gold trades | Standard after commission comparison |
| News avoidance swing holds | Focus on swaps and gap risk, not minimum spread |
Entity and Risk Caveats#
Gold product rules and leverage caps can differ by entity. Leveraged gold CFDs can lose money rapidly when spreads widen.
Related IC Markets Research#
Continue with our IC Markets review, IC Markets account guide, IC Markets spread guide and IC Markets safety review. If you are comparing brokers, also read XM vs Exness vs IC Markets and lowest spread forex brokers.
Bottom Line#
Trade IC Markets gold only after you measure session spreads, commission and lot risk on the live XAUUSD specification—not after a single Raw headline.
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