How to Trade ICT - International Container Terminal Services

Trading ICT on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) means taking a position in International Container Terminal Services, Inc., one of the country's largest port operators and a frequent leader in daily turnover. If you are new to this, the ticker "ICT" refers specifically to this company, not to the trading strategy with the same initials. Your goal is to profit from price movements in shares of this business, which runs container terminals across the globe.

Before you place your first trade, it helps to understand what drives the stock, how much it costs to buy in, and what your options are as a trader based in the Philippines. This guide walks through the practical side of getting exposure to ICT, both directly on the PSE and through a CFD broker like AvaTrade.

What Moves ICTSI

ICT is a large-cap stock, and its price reacts to global shipping demand, port volumes, and economic activity in the countries where it operates. Because it earns revenue in multiple currencies, the Philippine peso exchange rate also plays a role.

The company is known for paying dividends, though the yield is modest at around 1–3% annually. This fact matters more for long-term holders than for short-term traders, who focus on price swings and momentum instead. When global trade slows down or a major market like the US or China shows weakness, ICT tends to feel the impact quickly.

Where to Trade ICT

You have two main routes to trade ICT: the local exchange or an international CFD broker.

• Philippine Stock Exchange: This is where you buy actual shares of ICTSI. You need a brokerage account with a local firm like COL Financial or BPI Trade, fund it with pesos, and pay a commission per trade.
• CFD broker via AvaTrade: A Contract for Difference (CFD) lets you speculate on the price of ICT without owning the real stock. This route works for both rising and falling markets, and it is commonly offered by international brokers.

Most Filipino retail traders use the local exchange for direct stock ownership, but CFDs are a popular alternative for shorter-term trades because they allow leverage and easier access to short selling.

Getting Started with AvaTrade

If you choose to trade ICT through AvaTrade, the process starts with opening an account. The minimum deposit is $100, and the broker supports a range of funding methods that are familiar in the Philippines.

AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC in Australia, the FSCA in South Africa, Japan's FSA, and ADGM. It is not directly regulated by the SEC Philippines or BSP, so you are operating under its international framework rather than a local license.

The practical setup looks like this:

The KYC process requires a valid Philippine ID such as a passport, driver's license, or UMID, plus proof of address like a utility bill or bank statement.

Costs and Fees

Trading ICT through AvaTrade is spread-based, meaning you pay the difference between the buy and sell price rather than a flat commission. The NAS100 spread starts from about 0.9 pips, but spreads for individual stock CFDs vary by market conditions and account type.

Deposits do not carry a fee, and withdrawals are free of charge as well. Processing time depends on the method you use, and third-party charges from your bank or e-wallet provider may still apply.

When you fund a USD-denominated account using GCash or Maya, expect a PHP-USD conversion cost of about 1–3% from the exchange rate spread. E-wallet deposits are nearly instant, while withdrawals typically take 1–3 business days to reach you.

Leverage and Risk

AvaTrade offers leverage up to 1:400 for traders in the Philippines. This is significantly higher than the 1:25 cap that BSP Circular No. 969 historically framed for locally offered products, and it reflects the offshore nature of the broker.

The difference in practice:

At 1:400, a 0.25% adverse move wipes out your entire margin. That is the tradeoff: higher leverage amplifies both gains and losses, and it is the main reason why beginners lose money quickly.

Mga limitasyon sa proteksyon ng lokal

AvaTrade is not regulated by the SEC Philippines, which means you do not get the same local investor protection as you would with a PSE-listed broker. The broker operates under its international licenses, but if a dispute arises, your recourse is through those foreign regulators, not the Philippine courts.

Trading profit from CFDs is taxed as ordinary income in the Philippines. You report realized net gains under "Other Taxable Income" on your annual return, and resident individuals pay TRAIN-law rates starting at 0% up to PHP 250,000 and rising to 35% above PHP 8 million.

Withdrawals can also take longer than deposits. E-wallet deposits settle almost immediately, but the return trip often takes 1–3 business days because of bank processing and anti-money-laundering checks.

AvaTrade vs Local PSE Broker

The choice between AvaTrade and a local broker like COL Financial comes down to what you want to do with ICT.

• Local broker: You own actual shares, receive dividends directly, and have protection under Philippine securities law. You can only profit when the price goes up.
• AvaTrade: You trade CFDs with leverage, can short the stock when it falls, and access a wider range of global markets. You do not own the underlying shares.

For someone who wants to hold ICT for years and collect dividends, a local PSE account is the simpler fit. For someone who wants to trade ICT's volatility on shorter timeframes, CFDs through AvaTrade offer more flexibility.

The Verdict

Trading ICT through AvaTrade makes sense if you want leverage, the ability to short, and a single platform for both Philippine and global stocks. The minimum $100 deposit is affordable, funding through GCash and Maya is quick, and the spread-based pricing keeps entry costs predictable.

Pass on AvaTrade if you prefer to own the actual ICTSI shares or need the comfort of a Philippine-regulated broker. If you want the security of a stronger local regulatory framework, you are better served by a PSE brokerage account where your holdings are protected by Philippine law and you do not deal with currency conversion on every deposit.