| Updated: November 5, 2025The Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index, or the FTSE 100 Index for short, is the UK’s most popular stock market index. Launched in 1984, the FTSE 100 replaced an index called the FT30. FTSE constituents are 100 of the most highly capitalised blue-chip companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. The FTSE constituents are subject to quarterly reviews. Following each review, some companies exit while others enter, directly affecting share prices and making for a busy trading day.
Our team of expert traders tested several regulated and trustworthy FTSE 100 brokers and compiled a top list of the best among them. Every platform allowing CFDs on the FTSE 100 Index received a quality score based on several factors, including Trustpilot rating, regulation, fees and commissions, available trading platforms, customer service, and more.
Plus500 USThis content applies only to Plus500 US and clients from the United States. Trading futures involves the risk of loss.- eToro61% of retail investor accounts lose money
- Fusion Markets74-89% of retail's CFD accounts lose money
- FP Markets73.85% of retail investor accounts lose money
- Global Prime74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
- Pepperstone75.5% of retail investor accounts lose money
Top FTSE 100 trading brokers
Technological advancements in recent years have led to growth in many areas, including trading. As a result, the market is flooded with online brokers, and finding one that fits your needs is not always easy. Here we are not discussing whether a brokerage is good at its job, but whether it aligns with your trading style. To help you navigate this process more easily, we have prepared a selection of ten trustworthy FTSE 100 Index trading brokers, summarising information about their leverage, spreads, fees, commissions, and other important features.
TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWPlatformscTrader, DupliTrade, Fusion+ Copy Trading, MetaFX, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingViewMin Deposit$0Fees$0 for swap-free accountsDeposit Methods
CommissionsFrom $0SpreadEUR/USD: AVG 0.93 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 1 pips, USDJPY: AVG 1.7 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:20Leverage non-EU1:500 (ASIC | Pro Account), 1:30 (ASIC | Retail Account), 1:500 (VFSC | Retail Account)InstrumentsCommodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Metals CFDs, Stock CFDsAll financial products involve risk and you should ensure you understand the risk involved as certain financial products may not be suitable for everyone. Trading in margin foreign exchange and derivatives carries a high level of risk and you may incur a loss that is far greater than the amount you invested. Past performance of any product described on this website is not a reliable indication of future performance. Any information or advice contained on this website is general in nature and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.Established in 2017, Fusion Markets is still considered a young brokerage in the online trading field, but despite this, it has earned a reputation as a top-tier platform. It enjoys an impressive 98% positive customer feedback rating, according to data published on the Trustpilot platform. Many reviews mention reduced trading costs and professional customer support as key advantages of the brokerage.
Clients of Fusion Markets can set up two types of live accounts – Classic and Zero. The first is designed with novice traders in mind, as all applicable fees and commissions (if any) are incorporated into the spreads. Thus, no pre-trade calculations are needed. Zero accounts are suitable for experienced, active traders who can take advantage of tighter spreads despite the $4.50 commission. Although at the beginning of its existence Fusion Markets did not offer Islamic accounts, this is no longer the case. The broker’s swap-free accounts provide access to indices and other financial instruments – over 60 in total. Besides the FTSE 100, traders can take long and short positions on other indices, such as the Nikkei 225, Nasdaq 100, and S&P 500.
As we often say, no matter how favorable the trading conditions are, competent and timely customer care assistance is paramount. We personally checked how the broker performs in this regard. We started a live chat session with a question about swap rates. The answer came in less than a minute and was accompanied by a screenshot to help us more easily navigate to the relevant information.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsPlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Mobile, Proprietary Web2. PepperstoneMin Deposit$0FeesOvernight fees:
- 2.5% for CDFs
Deposit Methods CommissionsFrom 0%SpreadEUR/USD: AVG 1.1 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 1.3 pips, USDJPY: AVG 1.3 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:500 (CySEC | Pro Account), 1:30 (CySEC | Retail Account), 1:30 (FCA | Retail Account)Leverage non-EU1:500 (SCB | Pro Account), 1:30 (ASIC | Retail Account), 1:30 (DFSA | Retail Account), 1:200 (SCB | Retail Account)InstrumentsCommodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Energy CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Metals CFDs, Stock CFDsCFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.“In a world of probabilities, see the possibilities” is the motto of Pepperstone, and it largely reflects the broker’s overall approach – to create a favorable environment for many traders by offering a rich product portfolio accompanied by different types of accounts tailored to each user’s experience level and preferences. Pepperstone does not burden its clients with additional fees on deposits, withdrawals, or inactivity, thus enabling them to focus solely on trading-related matters.
Pepperstone operates with a wide range of platforms suitable for every style of trading. Each offering is a third-party option, as Pepperstone has not developed its own interface. Traders can choose among MetaTrader (MT) 4&5, TradingView, and cTrader, which is a high-end system with direct liquidity-provider pricing and advanced order capabilities. No matter which platform you choose, you can use its desktop version, the in-browser app, or the dedicated trading application for iOS and Android devices.
The markets available on Pepperstone include indices, Forex, commodities, share CFDs, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and currency indices. Traders will find competitive spreads for popular regional indices from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Index trading with this brokerage is commission-free, as commissions are charged only on Forex and equity CFD trading with Razor accounts.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCONSOB (Italy, # 211), FCA (United Kingdom, # 434413), SCB (Bahamas, # 199667 B), CMVM (Portugal, # 433), FSCM (Mauritius, # GB24203277), CVM (Brazil, # 43050.917/0001-03)PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web, TradingView3. ActivTradesMin Deposit$0Fees
- 0.5% on deposits (EU/EEA cards)
- 1.5% on deposits (non EU/EEA cards)
- $12.50 for bank transfer withdrawals in USD
- £9 for bank transfers in GBP (SCB and FSC entities only)
- A $10 inactivity fee after 50 weeks
Deposit Methods CommissionsNo commissionSpreadEUR/USD: AVG 0.5 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 0.8 pips, USDJPY: AVG 0.5 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:20Leverage non-EU1:400 (CMVM | Pro Account), 1:30 (CMVM | Retail Account), 1:1000 (FSC), 1:200 (SCB)InstrumentsBonds CFDs, Commodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Share CFDsCFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.At ActivTrades, you can explore a wide variety of tradable instruments, complemented by competitive pricing, fast order execution, and top-notch customer protection. The broker provides its global audience with access to more than 1,000 CFD assets, offering exposure to several markets, including global indices.
Regardless of the platform you choose to trade on with ActivTrades, you’ll find the popular FTSE 100 Index among the available CFD instruments. It is listed either as the UK100 Cash Index or as UK100 Futures (with a month-and-date indicator for the futures contract). You can decide how you’d prefer to trade this well-known UK index, as both options allow you to go long or short on the underlying asset. Keep in mind that trading the UK 100 as a Futures CFD does not incur swap fees on overnight positions.
The best part is that ActivTrades lets its customers trade the FTSE 100 – and many other indices – without any commissions. The target spread for the UK 100 Cash Index CFD is 0.60 points, whereas the Futures CFD variant has a target spread of 1 point. There is also a difference in point value between the two products: the Cash Index CFD carries a point value of £1, while the Futures CFD contract carries a point value of £10. Order sizes also vary, allowing traders to choose between 0.1 and 1,000 lots for UK 100 Cash Index orders or between 0.01 and 100 lots for UK 100 Futures orders.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCySEC (Cyprus, # 109/10), FCA (United Kingdom, # 583263), FRSA (United Arab Emirates, # 220073), FinCEN (United States, # 31000204884179), FINRA (United States, # 298361), FSAS (Seychelles, # SD076), GFSC (Gibraltar, # 1333B), AMF (France, # E2022-038), MFSA (Malta, # C97952), SEC (United States, # 0001753042), ASIC (Australia, # 491139)PlatformseToro App, eToro CopyTrader, eToro Investing4. eToroMin Deposit$50 or $100 based on country ($10 for the UK)FeesOvernight fees:
- Buy - $ -1.21042247
- Sell - $ -0.49159502
Deposit Methods CommissionsN/ASpreadEUR/USD: AVG 1 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 2 pips, USDJPY: AVG 1 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:400 (CySEC | Pro Account), 1:30 (CySEC | Retail Account)Leverage non-EU1:400 (FSAS | Retail Account)InstrumentsCommodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Metals CFDs, Share CFDs, Stock CFDs, US Stock CFDs61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.With more than a decade of experience in the financial world, eToro has established itself as one of the leading and most reputable trading platforms around the globe. The multi-jurisdiction-regulated brokerage operates across indices, stocks, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and ETFs. The brand has chosen not to rely on third-party trading platforms and instead offers user-friendly proprietary options on both web and mobile.
The in-house-developed platform is characterized by an intuitive interface that enables seamless trading of more than 7,000 financial instruments. Its most distinctive feature is probably the copy-trading functionality, which allows inexperienced traders to replicate the strategies of top-performing users of the platform. By clicking on the statistics tab of a particular trader, you gain access to useful information about equity growth and other important indicators. There is a $1 minimum requirement for each copied position. Traders can set a stop-loss for a specific copy, add or remove funds, or pause the copy.
Currently, eToro provides its users with the opportunity to trade more than 25 indices covering markets from different regions of the world. The most popular are UK100, NSDQ100, SPX500, GER40, and DJ30. Executing trades via CFDs allows traders to open leveraged buy (long) or sell (short) positions.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCySEC (Cyprus, # 079/07), FSAS (Seychelles, # SD056), FSCA (South Africa, # 54018), ASIC (Australia, # 246566), BVIFSC (Virgin Islands, British, # SIBA/L/20/1135)PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Mobile, Proprietary Web, TradingView5. easyMarketsMin Deposit$25 ($2,000 for MT4 Premium, $10,000 for MT4 VIP)FeesVariable overnight feesDeposit Methods CommissionsNoneSpreadEUR/USD: MIN 0.8 pips, EUR/USD: AVG 0.7 pips, GBP/USD: MIN 1.4 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 0.9 pips, USDJPY: MIN 1.5 pips, USDJPY: AVG 2 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:500 (CySEC | Pro Account), 1:30 (CySEC | Retail Account)Leverage non-EU1:500 (ASIC | Pro Account), 1:30 (ASIC | Retail Account), 1:2000 (FSAS | Retail Account)InstrumentsCommodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Forex CFDs, Forex Forwards, Forex Options, Indices CFDs, Metal Options, Metals CFDs, Share CFDsCFDs and Options are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and Options work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Established in 2001, easyMarkets is one of the most experienced trading brokers today, with thousands of clients from around the world. The brand’s group of companies holds licenses issued by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), the FSA (Seychelles), and the FSC (British Virgin Islands). Over the years, the broker has won more than 40 prestigious awards, the most recent being the Leading Broker of the Year award at the Forex Expo Dubai 2024.
One aspect we appreciated when first accessing easyMarkets is the transparency and easy accessibility of its pricing details. We have summarized the information about the FTSE 100 index in the table above. We wish to clarify that the indicated spread of 1.3 points is the minimum of the variable spreads available on the MT5 platform. Values are fixed at 2.2 for MT4, and 2.4 for the easyMarkets Web / App & TradingView.
The high level of trust traders place in easyMarkets is also due to the brokerage’s comprehensive set of risk-management tools, which help ensure they do not incur major financial losses. These include negative balance protection, guaranteed stop-loss orders, and no slippage. Each of these tools is accompanied by a detailed explanation and instructions on how to use it properly.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCIRO (Canada), DFSA (United Arab Emirates, # F000542), FCA (United Kingdom, # 446717), JFSA (Japan, # 2010401047199), MAS (Singapore, # 201130598R), HKSFC (Hong Kong, # BCQ152), ASIC (Australia, # 345646)PlatformsMetaTrader 4, Proprietary Mobile, Proprietary Web, TradingView6. City IndexMin Deposit$0 ($150 for Singapore and Australia)FeesOvernight financing:
- long positions - equivalent base rate +2.5%
- short positions - equivalent base rate -2.5%
Deposit Methods CommissionsNo commission on CFDsSpreadEUR/USD: AVG 2.4 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 4 pips, USDJPY: AVG 8 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:400 (FCA | Pro Account), 1:30 (FCA | Standard Account)Leverage non-EU1:200 (ASIC | Pro Account), 1:20 (MAS | Standard Account)InstrumentsBond Spread Betting, Bonds CFDs, Commodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Interest Rate CFDs, Metals CFDs, Share CFDs, Stock Options, Thematic IndicesCFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.City Index is a global brokerage with offices in the UK, Australia, and Singapore. Its operations are licensed by the respective regulatory bodies in these regions – the Financial Conduct Authority, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Clients of City Index can choose from more than 13,500 markets while utilizing an extensive selection of trading tools.
The brokerage enables its clients to trade the FTSE 100 (UK 100) and more than 40 other major indices either via spread betting or CFDs. Spreads on this particular index start from 1.0 between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm and widen outside this period. City Index charges no commission on CFD trades.
With regard to the trading platforms offered by the broker, they provide a solid range of options for different types of traders. Thanks to MetaTrader 4, WebTrader, and downloadable trading applications, you can trade the FTSE 100 regardless of your location. Users who plan to work with MT4 should keep in mind that the minimum system requirement is Windows 7, although the broker strongly recommends using the 64-bit version of Windows 10. For your convenience, City Index has published a comparison table that allows you to quickly see the key differences between the available platforms.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCNMV (Spain, # 40), CySEC (Cyprus, # 169/12), DFSA (United Arab Emirates, # F006316), FCA (United Kingdom, # 522157), FSCA (South Africa, # 49970), FSAN (Norway, # FT00118162), IFSC (Belize, # 000302/11), KNF (Poland), BaFin (Germany)PlatformsxStation 57. XTBMin Deposit$250FeesSwap point
- long: -0.025556%
- short: -0.000000%
Deposit Methods Commissions$0 on Standard accountsSpreadEUR/USD: AVG 0.9 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 2.2 pips, USDJPY: AVG 1.4 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:200 (CySEC | Pro Account), 1:30 (CySEC | Retail Account), 1:30 (FCA | Retail Account)Leverage non-EU1:500 (IFSC | Retail Account)InstrumentsCommodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Energy CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Metals CFDs, Share CFDs, Stock CFDs, US Stock CFDsCFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.XTB is a good choice for traders whose priority is to minimize trading and non-trading costs while trading the FTSE 100 index. The brokerage offers commission-free trading, requires no minimum deposit, and provides spreads starting from 1.4 points. The leverage is standard for the industry – up to 1:200 for non-EU accounts and up to 1:20 for accounts opened in European countries.
XTB’s service range includes negative balance protection, an increasingly popular feature among today’s online brokers. Keep in mind, however, that it is available only to traders from the UK and the EU. Due to local regulations, these clients are not entitled to receive cashback rebates like the rest of XTB’s customers.
Trading is carried out entirely through the proprietary platform xStation 5 and its companion mobile application. Simplicity and user-friendliness are the two major advantages of the desktop platform, which also features state-of-the-art charting tools that contribute to better analysis and the convenient placement of market orders, stop losses, take profits, and more. xStation 5 is available as both a web-based platform and a downloadable desktop version. On-the-go traders can download the dedicated mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCFTC (United States, # 0001398), CySEC (Cyprus, # 250/14), DFSA (United Arab Emirates, # F005651), EFSA (Estonia, # 4.1-1/18), FCA (United Kingdom, # 509909), FFAJ (Japan, # 2010001092422), FMA (New Zealand, # 486026), FSA (Japan, # 2010001092422), FSAS (Seychelles, # SD039), FSCA (South Africa, # 47546), MAS (Singapore, # CMS100648), SCB (Bahamas, # SIA-F250), ASIC (Australia, # 417727)PlatformsProprietary Mobile, Proprietary Web8. Plus500Min Deposit$100Fees
- Overnight funding fee¹
- Currency conversion fee²
- Monthly inactivity fee³
Deposit Methods CommissionsNoneSpreadEUR/USD: AVG 1.3 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 1.8 pips, USDJPY: AVG 2.1 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:30 retail accounts; 1:300 pro accounts (Professional accounts do not have ICF rights.)Leverage non-EU1:30 retail accounts; 1:300 pro accounts (Professional accounts do not have ICF rights.)InstrumentsCommodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Energy CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Metals CFDs, Share CFDs, Stock CFDs, US Stock CFDs82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.Plus500 is an online trading broker that offers contracts for difference (CFDs) through its proprietary trading platform, available on the web and on mobile. Registered users can trade CFDs on indices, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, options, and ETFs. There are currently just over 35 indices available, with the most actively traded including USA 30-Wallstreet, UK 100, Germany 40, and Japan 225.
The brokerage has obtained licenses in nearly all jurisdictions where its services are available. Plus500 is regulated by the relevant authorities in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, and Israel.
The WebTrader platform offers a streamlined trading experience that is stable and easy to use across multiple devices. The brand’s main website features a Trading Academy section with an eBook, a series of educational videos, and an extensive FAQ, enabling traders to learn everything they need to know about using WebTrader. The platform allows users to choose from more than 2,000 CFD instruments, create watchlists, place orders, and more. WebTrader is probably not the preferred option for advanced, active traders, as the platform does not allow the implementation of third-party analytical and automation tools.
¹Daily overnight fees are calculated using the formula Trade Size * Position Opening Rate * Point Value * Daily Overnight Funding %
The formula for Share CFDs is Trade Size * Daily Close Rate * Point Value * Daily Overnight Funding %.²Up to 0.7% of the trade’s realized net profit or loss.
³$10 per month if you have not logged in for more than 3 months.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCMA (Saudi Arabia, # 155), CySEC (Cyprus, # 183/12), DFSA (United Arab Emirates, # F004885), FCA (United Kingdom, # 801701), FSAS (Seychelles, # SD015), SVGFSA (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, # 22747 IBC 2015), FSCA (South Africa, # 46632), FSCM (Mauritius, # C110008214)PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Mobile9. HFMMin Deposit$0 (Zero, Premium, Cent), $5,000 (Premium Pro), €100 (Pro)FeesSwap rates:
- Short: -0.50
- Long: -0.85
Deposit Methods CommissionsFrom $0SpreadEUR/USD: AVG 1.3 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 2 pips, USDJPY: AVG 2.4 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:400 (FCA | Premium Pro), 1:30 (FCA | Retail Account)Leverage non-EU1:2000 (FSCA), 1:2000 (SVGFSA)InstrumentsCommodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Forex CFDs, Indices CFDs, Metals CFDs, Share CFDsTrading Leveraged Products such as Forex and Derivatives may not be suitable for all investors as they carry a high degree of risk to your capital. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved, taking into account your investments objectives and level of experience, before trading, and if necessary, seek independent advice.The HF Markets Group describes itself as an award-winning conglomerate, and it seems to have every reason to do so. So far, the broker has collected a basket of prestigious awards; two of these are “Best Multi-Asset Broker Global” at the 2021 Pan Finance Awards and “Best CFD Trading Conditions 2021” from World Economic Magazine. The constituent companies of HFM are regulated by CySEC, the FCA, the DFSA, the FSCA, the FSA (Seychelles), and the CMA (Kenya). The brokerage also holds 28 additional registrations in European jurisdictions.
Users of HF Markets can trade more than 1,000 instruments across the following asset classes: indices, Forex, metals, energies, CFD stocks, bonds, commodities, physical stocks, and ETFs. Trading index CFDs with HF Markets offers ultra-fast execution across 13 powerful platforms. Regarding the UK 100 and other indices, they are available as spot and futures contracts. Typical UK100 spot spreads for Premium Account holders start at 1.2 points. For futures contracts, typical spreads start at 3.96 points. All traders are eligible for negative balance protection, regardless of the asset type.
HF Markets strives to serve traders of all kinds, which is why it offers four account types, each with a different minimum deposit and overall purpose. We advise you to carefully check the relevant T&Cs, as they may differ depending on your location. This applies to aspects such as account currency, margin call, and stop-out level. Fortunately, the broker’s demo account closely mirrors the real trading environment, offers unlimited use, and includes a virtual budget of up to $100,000.
- TRADE NOWREAD REVIEWRegulatorsCFTC (United States, # 0509630), DFSA (United Arab Emirates, # F001780), FCA (United Kingdom, # 944492), FFAJ (Japan), FINMA (Switzerland, # IG Bank S.A.), FMA (New Zealand, # 684191), FSCA (South Africa, # 41393), JFSA (Japan, # 9010401051715), MAS (Singapore, # 1489), ASIC (Australia, # 515106), BaFin (Germany, # 148759), BMA (Bermuda, # 54814)PlatformsL2 Dealer, MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web, ProRealTime, TradingView10. IGMin Deposit$50Fees
- Overnight funding admin fees: 2.5 - 3%
- Guaranteed stop premium: 1.5
Deposit Methods CommissionsFrom 0%SpreadEUR/USD: AVG 1.13 pips, EUR/USD: MIN 0.6 pips, GBP/USD: AVG 2.38 pips, GBP/USD: MIN 0.9 pips, USDJPY: AVG 1.8 pips, USDJPY: MIN 0.7 pipsWithdrawal Methods Leverage EU1:222 (BaFin | Pro Account), 1:30 (BaFin | Retail Account), 1:30 (FCA | Retail Account)Leverage non-EU1:30 (ASIC | Retail Account), 1:200 (BMA | Retail Account)InstrumentsBond Futures, Bond Options, Bond Spread Betting, Bonds CFDs, Commodities CFDs, Commodity Futures, Commodity Options, Commodity Spread Betting, Crypto CFDs, Crypto Options, Crypto Spread Betting, Currency Futures, Energy CFDs, Energy Futures, Energy Options, Energy Spread Betting, ETF CFDs, ETF Options, ETF Spread Betting, Forex CFDs, Forex Options, Forex Spread Betting, Index Futures, Index Options, Index Spread Betting, Indices CFDs, Interest Rate Futures, Metal Futures, Metal Options, Metals CFDs, Metals Spread Betting, Share CFDs, Stock CFDs, Stock Options, Stock Spread Betting, US Stock CFDs, US Stock Options, US Stock Spread BettingSpread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.Options and turbo warrants are complex financial instruments and your capital is at risk. Losses may be extremely rapid.Professional clients can lose more than they deposit.The value of shares, ETFs and ETCs bought through a share dealing account, can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. All trading involves risk.If you want to start trading with a large CFD trading company with many years of experience and a range of licenses issued by reputable financial authorities, IG is one of your most logical choices. The brand entered the market in 1974, and since then it has earned numerous prestigious awards. We will not list them all, but will mention the most recent one – Best Multi-Platform Provider at the 2022 ADVFN International Financial Awards.
Having reviewed many trading brokers so far, we can safely say that the spreads, commissions, and fees imposed by IG are very competitive compared to those offered by other major players in the online trading field. What is more, the relevant information is clearly presented and is accessible without the need to log in to your account first. The only factor that detracts from its affordability is the minimum deposit. It varies depending on the trader’s country of residence – $250 in the U.S., $450 in Australia, €300 in the EU, and so on.
Given the marked diversity of financial instruments, trading platforms, and payment solutions, we are slightly puzzled by the absence of a copy-trading functionality. Some other perks, such as automated trading and backtesting, are available only through third-party apps.
Regarding the broker’s indices trading portfolio, IG provides access to 30 global indices, including the FTSE 100, Germany 40, and Australia 200. With this broker, indices can be traded as options, spread bets, or CFDs.
The FTSE 100 is a stock index that is widely used throughout Europe. The constituents of the Footsie, or UK 100 as it is also called, are the 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange with the largest market capitalisation. The index represents approximately 81% of the UK’s market capitalisation. The majority of these companies are multinational entities headquartered in the UK, which means the index is not particularly indicative of the health of the country’s domestic economy, but rather shows the business environment provided by British company law.
The performance of the 100 companies is closely tracked through reviews, and substitutions are made every quarter – in March, June, September and December. We can safely say that any changes made reflect the current state of the companies, since valuation information is derived at the end of the day preceding each review.
How FTSE 100 trading works for traders and brokers
Traders who operate with the FTSE 100 must keep one specific aspect in mind: the current UK 100 index value is highly dependent on British pound currency rates. As most companies in the UK 100 earn their income in foreign currencies, movements in sterling can cause downward or upward price movements.
The high interest in trading the FTSE 100 and other popular indices is mainly due to the fact that they are considered secure and come with relatively low fees and commissions imposed by trading brokers. The principal reason indices do not carry as much risk as individual stocks, for example, is their broad nature. A large number of stocks in multiple industries are covered, which means devastating collapses are unlikely. Even if a few companies experience hard times and their share prices fall, other index constituents may mitigate the adverse effect.
Ways to trade the FTSE 100 Index
There are several methods for trading the UK100, which entail either the direct purchase of shares or ETFs, or speculating on the price movement of the underlying product through derivatives.
* CFDs
The most commonly used derivative instrument offered by FTSE 100 trading brokers is the contract for difference (CFD). It enables traders to exchange the difference between the opening and closing price of the traded index. Buying a CFD opens a long position, while selling opens a short one.
The other methods to operate with the UK 100 index are:
- Spread betting
While spread betting closely resembles CFD trading, there are certain differences between the two derivative products. Spread betting on the FTSE 100 Index involves using spread bets, which are financial derivative instruments, to take either a long or short position on the asset’s price. Traders who buy through spread bets anticipate that the price will increase, while those who sell believe it will decrease. As spread betting is free from capital gains tax (CGT), it can be more tax-efficient than CFDs. With spread bets, traders stake an amount of money per point on whether the price will rise or fall. - Futures
Trading the FTSE 100 Index through futures (or forward) contracts is another popular way to gain exposure to this financial instrument. A buyer and a seller reach an agreement to trade the asset at a predetermined price on a future date, enabling speculation on the price of the index over the counter, instead of through an exchange. - Options
Similar to futures, options are financial contracts with expiry dates, upon which traders may settle the difference between the contract’s opening and closing price. However, there is a key difference: with options, traders are under no obligation to settle their trades. If they decide to do so, they only need to pay the premium, also known as a deposit or margin. - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
Trading the FTSE 100 through exchange-traded funds is another way to gain exposure to the index. With this approach, traders take a position on the price of the ETF rather than on the current index level of the FTSE 100.
FTSE 100 Index trading hours
As regards FTSE 100 trading hours, they run from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 16:00 UK time, in line with the London Stock Exchange’s opening and closing hours. However, many online trading brokers offer 24/5 trading, with customer support available during the same period.