gse, thanks for your comments. I use FPmarkets, and as FPmarkets is 100% dma (not market maker) my understanding is that I am buying the 'real' ETFs in the US. However, when I get time I will check with Fpmarkets.
Hedging is a good idea, but I work during the day. Hence, it is a bit hard to find the time to do the necessary research, place the trades, monitor everything, etc. However, I will look into the concept, again when I get time.
In the past I have done a little newby style hedging by, for example, betting big (relatively) on shorting resources while simultaneously opening long trades on banks in case the big picture moves against my short positions. I have had mixed success with this approach, but a more solid strategy will take more time on my part.
