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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved.

Index CFD trading

Trade 36 index CFDs with Australia's No.1 CFD provider¹. From the Australian 200 to global markets, discover plenty of index CFD trading opportunities. Access weekend trading and competitive spreads with our award-winning trading³ platform.

Important CFD trading information 

With CFDs, you can lose more than you deposit, you do not have ownership in the underlying asset and you may be subject to margin close-outs if you do not maintain sufficient margin.

Why trade index CFDs with IG Australia

More 24-hour markets

Access more 24-hour index markets than any other provider².

Tight spreads

From 0.4 points on the US 500, 1 point on the Australian 200 and FTSE 100.

Weekend trading

Australia's only provider offering weekend CFD trading on key indices.

Award-winning platform

Trade on our award-winning platform and mobile app³.

Important CFD trading information 

With CFDs, you can lose more than you deposit, you do not have ownership in the underlying asset and you may be subject to margin close-outs if you do not maintain sufficient margin.

More index CFD trading hours, more opportunity

We offer over 30 more weekly trading hours than our nearest competitor, so you can,

  • Open or edit positions when others traders can’t
  • Hedge your weekday positions with a weekend one on the same market
  • Act on breaking news, macroeconomic events and earnings reports as they happen
  • FTSE 100
  • Germany 40
  • Wall Street

Data is based on analysis of the FTSE 100, Germany 40 and Wall Street offering from prominent UK competitor websites and is correct to the best of our ability as of 30 July 2020. Some trading hours have been rounded up or down to the nearest hour. Table for comparative purposes only. Data is subject to change.

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What are index CFDs?

Index CFD trading lets you take positions on stock market movements without buying individual shares.

Learn more about index CFDs
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Why trade index CFDs?

Access entire markets with one trade, plus leverage and the ability to go long or short.

Benefits of index CFDs
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How to trade indices CFDs

Choose your index, set position size, then execute trades easily.

Learn to trade index CFDs

Possible risks of trading index CFDs

Leverage risk 

CFDs use leverage, which can amplify both profits and losses. You could lose more than your initial deposit. 

Market volatility 

Index prices can move rapidly, especially during news events or market hours transitions. 

Overnight funding costs 

Positions held overnight incur funding charges that can impact profitability over time. 

Margin close-outs 

If your account equity falls below required margins, positions may be automatically closed.

Index CFD trading costs with IG Australia

Index CFD spreads

  • Competitive spreads from 1 point on Australian 200 
  • Built into buy and sell prices with transparent pricing 
  • No commission on most index CFDs

Overnight funding costs

  • Applied to positions held overnight past daily cut-off time 
  • Competitive rates based on interbank rates plus small admin fee 
  • Clear pricing with no hidden fees

Currency conversion fees

  • Automatic currency conversion at competitive 0.7% rate
  • Applied only when trading indices in different currencies
  • Instant conversion available for seamless trading

Guaranteed stop-loss orders

  • Optional guaranteed stops for risk management 
  • Small premium charged only if triggered 
  • Premium displayed upfront on deal ticket

Index CFD spreads

  • Competitive spreads from 1 point on Australian 200 
  • Built into buy and sell prices with transparent pricing 
  • No commission on most index CFDs

Overnight funding costs

  • Applied to positions held overnight past daily cut-off time 
  • Competitive rates based on interbank rates plus small admin fee 
  • Clear pricing with no hidden fees

Currency conversion fees

  • Automatic currency conversion at competitive 0.7% rate
  • Applied only when trading indices in different currencies
  • Instant conversion available for seamless trading

Guaranteed stop-loss orders

  • Optional guaranteed stops for risk management 
  • Small premium charged only if triggered 
  • Premium displayed upfront on deal ticket

IG trading platforms for index CFDs

  • IG Online platform
  • IG Mobile app
  • TradingView
  • MetaTrader 4

Choose our online platform for a seamless and lightning-fast trading experience.

All the features you need, whenever and wherever you need them.

Chart, trade and connect with traders using real-time data and technical tools.

Trade with customisable charts and automated strategies.

FAQs about indices CFD trading in Australia

What is index CFD trading? 

Index CFD trading allows you to speculate on stock market index movements without owning the underlying shares. You can go long or short on indices like the Australian 200. 

Can I trade indices on weekends? 

Yes, IG Australia is the only provider offering weekend trading on key CFD indices including Wall Street, UK 100 and Germany 40.

What are the minimum spreads for index CFDs? 

IG offers competitive spreads from 0.4 points on the US 500 and 1 point on the Australian 200 and FTSE 100.

How do I start trading index CFDs? 

Create an IG account, deposit funds, choose your index market, set your position size and direction then place your trade.

Try these next

The ASX 200 tracks the 200 largest companies on the Australian Securities Exchange.

The Hang Seng lists some of Hong Kong’s biggest companies.

The Dow Jones index tracks 30 influential U.S. companies.

1 Number 1 in Australia by primary relationships, CFDs & FX, Investment Trends November 2024 Leveraged Trading Report.
2 24/7 means all week apart from ten hours from 10pm Friday to 8am Saturday (UK time), and 20 minutes just before the market opens on Sunday.
3 Best Finance App, Best Multi-Platform Provider, Best Platform for the Active Trader and Best Online Stockbroker as awarded at the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2025.