From my experience reviewing and evaluating brokers, one of my top concerns is always transparency around trading costs—especially spreads. With First State Futures, despite its regulatory history and recent changes, I found that specific information about whether spreads are fixed or variable is not directly disclosed in the public materials available. This lack of clarity makes me cautious. In my own trading, fixed spreads help with predictability, while variable spreads can widen significantly in times of high market volatility or major news releases. When reviewing First State Futures, there is no mention of fixed spreads as a feature on their platforms. Since they provide access to MT4, which commonly uses variable spreads—especially among brokers in the region—it's reasonable to assume spreads here are most likely variable, though without official confirmation, I can’t say this with certainty. Based on my understanding of how variable spreads work, during important economic events or sharp market movements, the cost of trading—expressed through wider bid-ask spreads—typically increases. For me, this exposes traders to higher transaction costs during precisely those periods when quick execution and stable pricing matter most. The absence of concrete spread details from First State Futures means I’d approach active news trading or event-driven strategies with heightened caution, as unexpected costs could arise. In summary, while First State Futures offers a range of instruments and claims medium risk, the uncertainty around spread type and behavior during volatility prompts me to be vigilant, seek direct clarification from their support, and possibly test actual trading conditions with a demo or small live account before any significant commitment.