We use a range of cookies to give you the best possible browsing experience. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies. You can view our cookie policy and edit your settings here, or by following the link at the bottom of any page on our site.
Ways to trade
You have three routes to the financial markets with IG – spread betting, CFD trading and investing. Each offers you a unique set of advantages.
Spread betting and CFDs
High-risk/high-return financial products for those seeking short-term opportunity, from the world’s No.1 provider.1
No need to own assets
Spread betting and CFDs are derivative products, so you can take a position on a market’s price without owning any assets.
Go long or short
Unlike traditional investing, spread betting and CFDs allow you to take advantage of both falling and rising market prices.
Take your capital further
You needn’t put up the full value of your position when you open, as spread betting and CFDs are leveraged. However losses, as well as profits, are magnified.
Never stay below zero
If your account balance goes negative we’ll bring it back to zero, whether you’re spread betting or trading CFDs.2
What’s best for me?
Spread betting lets UK traders benefit from tax-free profits. CFDs offer direct market access (DMA), providing increased transparency that’s useful for hedging strategies.3
Spread betting
A bet on the future change in price of a financial market.
- Key benefit: no capital gains tax to pay on profits3
- No commission, just our spread
- No stamp duty3
- Never stay below zero with negative balance protection2
CFDs
Contracts for the difference in price of an market between the opening and closing of a trade.
- Key benefit: DMA on shares and forex. (To trade with Forex DMA, you’ll need to qualify for an IG professional account)
- Offset losses against profits as a tax deduction
- No stamp duty3
- Never stay below zero with negative balance protection2
Forex trading
You can trade on forex prices using spread betting and CFDs, which give you access to our wide range of major, minor and exotic currency pairs through our powerful platforms.
- UK’s No.1 FX provider1
- Competitive spreads
- More 24-hour markets than anywhere else
Other markets
Trade on low spreads across more than 15,000 markets, with some available 24/7.
Invest with IG
Complement your trading with our more traditional non-leveraged products.
Share dealing
Buy and sell thousands of global stocks on low commissions, from just £5 on UK shares.4
IG Smart Portfolios
Choose a fully managed and diversified portfolio to suit your goals and risk profile.
ISAs
Put a tax-efficient wrapper around your share dealing or IG Smart Portfolio returns.3
SIPPs
Save for your retirement and get 20-45% tax relief on your contributions, with no tax on investment profits.3
You might be interested in...
-
Our charges
We're clear about our charges, so you always know what fees you will incur
-
What we do with your money
All retail client funds are held in segregated bank accounts, in line with FCA rules
-
Learn about IG
See how we've been changing the face of trading for more than 40 years
1 Based on revenue excluding FX (published financial statements, February 2018)
2 Negative balance protection applies to trading-related debt only, and is not available to professional traders.
3 Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.
4 Place 10+ trades on UK shares in the previous month to qualify for a £5 commission rate. Please note published rates are valid up to £25,000 notional value. See our full list of share dealing charges and fees.
Help and support
Get answers about your account or our services.
Or ask about opening an account on 0800 195 3100 or newaccounts.uk@ig.com.
We're here 24hrs a day from 8am Saturday to 10pm Friday.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81% 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. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.