CMC Markets Review |
|
| 📅 Year founded |
1989 |
| 📈 Multiple top-tier regulation |
Yes |
| 📍 Headquarters |
London, United Kingdom |
| 🌍 Country of regulation |
United Kingdom |
| ✅ Regulators |
FCA |
| 📈 Execution Type |
Market Execution |
| 💰 Minimum Deposit |
None |
| 🛡️ Negative Balance Protection |
Yes |
| 📉 Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader4 / CMC Markets Trading Platforms |
| ☪ Islamic account |
No |
| 📉 Trading Instruments |
Forex / Indices / Commodities / Shares & ETFs / Share Baskets / Rates & Bonds |
| 📱 Mobile trading |
iOS / Android / Windows |
| 💳 Payment Types Accepted |
Debit and Credit Card / Bank Wire Transfer |
| 🎮 Demo Account |
Yes |
| ⓒ Copy Trading |
Yes |
| 🎁 Bonus Offer |
None |
| 💰 Account Currencies |
USD / EUR / GBP / AUS / CAD / NOK / NZD / PLN / SEK / SGD |
| 📈 Minimum Trade |
0.01 Lots |
| 📈 Account Types |
ECN / STP |
| 📈 Margin Trading |
Yes |
| 📈 Trading fees |
Low |
| 📈 Inactivity fee |
After 12 consecutive months of 10 GBP |
| 💰 Withdrawal fee |
None |
| ☎ Customer Support |
24/5 |
| 💰 Max. Leverage |
30:1 |
| ✔️ Hedging Allowed |
Yes |
| ✔️ Scalping Allowed |
Yes |
| 💰 Commission |
Shares only |
| 💰 Spreads |
From 0.0 pips |
| 💰 Leverage |
Flexible |
| 💰 Currency Pairs (Total Forex pairs) |
300 + |
| 🔢 Number of clients |
300 000 + |
| 🥇 Instruments Offered |
12 000 + |
| 📙 Education |
Learn Hub / Webinars / Seminars |
WHAT IS CMC MARKETS?
CMC Markets is a well-established, globally recognised leader in online trading, providing retail and institutional investors access to a wide range of financial instruments.
Founded in 1989 by Peter Cruddas as a foreign exchange market maker under the name Currency Management Corporation, the company later shortened its name to CMC Markets.
A key to CMC Markets’ longevity and success is its regulatory framework, which is anchored by authorisation and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. The FCA is known for enforcing strict standards of security, fairness and transparency, which enhances the trust and confidence of traders using the platform.
Over the years, CMC Markets has been at the forefront of technological innovations in trading. It was one of the first companies to provide online forex trading and has continued to develop its technology to offer advanced tools and features that cater to the evolving needs of modern traders.
These advancements include pioneering a proprietary trading platform and developing unique trading tools that have set industry standards for speed, efficiency and functionality.
As a result of its commitment to innovation and client satisfaction, CMC Markets has garnered a robust clientele base, ranging from novice traders to experienced professionals and institutional clients.
The broker’s ability to combine comprehensive market access with user-friendly, technologically advanced trading platforms makes it a preferred choice for those looking to trade a variety of financial instruments in a secure and regulated environment.
INTRODUCTION
CMC Markets is a pivotal figure in the online trading landscape, renowned for offering a comprehensive suite of financial instruments and a robust trading experience. With its inception in 1989, CMC Markets has continuously evolved, expanding its offerings to meet and anticipate the needs of global investors.
Today, it provides a versatile trading platform where both retail and institutional traders can access a wide range of markets including forex, indices, commodities, shares and ETFs, share baskets and rates and bonds.
Through its extensive range of products, advanced trading platforms and customer-focused services, CMC Markets ensures that traders of all levels have the tools and opportunities to effectively navigate and profit from the complexities of the global markets.
Catering to beginners and experienced traders alike, CMC Markets offers a tailored trading experience that aims to maximise trading efficiency and success.
PROS & CONS
PROS
- Comprehensive range of instruments with over 12 000 instruments available.
- Advanced trading platforms with extensive tools including MetaTrader4 and its own proprietary web trading platform.
- Competitive spreads and low trading costs with no commissions charged.
- Strong regulatory framework and high security.
- No minimum deposit is required.
CONS
- Only regulated by one regulatory body.
- No cryptocurrency trading on offer.
TRADING INSTRUMENTS
CMC Markets provides its clients with an extensive range of trading instruments, allowing for significant opportunities across various asset classes including forex, indices, commodities, shares and ETFs, share baskets and rates and bonds.
This diversity in offerings caters to different trading styles and investment goals, enabling traders to construct diversified portfolios and engage in specialised markets.
Forex
CMC Markets offers a wide range of forex trading options, providing traders access to over 300 currency pairs including major pairs like EUR / USD, minor pairs and exotic currencies.
This breadth of options allows traders to capitalise on fluctuations in global currency markets and to trade on tight spreads that enhance trading efficiency.
Indices
With CMC Markets, traders can speculate on the future direction of market indices from around the world, such as the US 30, UK 100 and Germany 40. This is particularly appealing for traders looking to gain exposure to different economies without having to analyse the performance of individual companies.
The broker offers access to over 80 indices ensuring traders have a wide range of options to choose from.
Commodities
Trading commodities with CMC Markets includes access to a range of hard and soft commodities. With over 100 commodities available for trading, the broker provides its traders one of the widest selection of commodities in the industry.
Shares and ETFs
CMC Markets provides the ability to trade thousands of shares and ETFs from leading global exchanges. This enables traders to buy and sell individual shares or invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks through ETFs, covering various sectors and markets.
Share Baskets
Unique to CMC Markets are share baskets, which allow traders to invest in a collection of stocks grouped by theme or sector. For example, a technology basket might include stocks from high-performing tech companies, simplifying thematic investing and reducing the need for extensive individual stock research.
Rates and Bonds
Trading rates and bonds through CMC Markets offers exposure to government and corporate debt securities. The broker offers a great selection of rates and bonds, with over 50 instruments available.
Together, these instruments provide CMC Markets’ clients with a holistic trading environment, equipped with opportunities for hedging, speculation and investment.
This range of options highlights CMC Markets’ commitment to meeting the diverse needs and strategies of traders worldwide, enhancing its reputation as a versatile and reliable trading platform.
TRADING PLATFORMS
CMC Markets provides its users with two sophisticated trading platforms: MetaTrader4 (MT4) and the CMC Markets Trading platform. Each platform is designed to cater to different trader needs, offering a variety of tools and features that enhance trading efficiency, execution and analysis.
MetaTrader4 (MT4)
MT4 remains one of the most popular trading platforms in the forex community due to its robust functionality, ease of use and adaptability. CMC Markets offers MT4 because it’s particularly favoured by traders who are interested in automated trading solutions.
The platform supports the use of Expert Advisors (EAs), which allows traders to automate their trading strategies without manual intervention.
MT4 is equipped with a comprehensive set of trading tools and resources including advanced charting capabilities, numerous technical indicators and extensive back-testing environment.
CMC Markets Trading Platform
Designed to meet the specific needs of its clientele, the CMC Markets Trading platform is a proprietary web-based platform that offers powerful trading tools and advanced charting capabilities.
It features more than 115 technical indicators, chart types and drawing tools, enabling traders to analyse market trends and potential trading opportunities effectively.
The platform is known for its intuitive design, making it accessible to traders of all experience levels. It also offers innovative risk management features, such as price alerts and stop-loss orders, which help traders manage and mitigate risks associated with trading.
The CMC Markets Trading platform also boasts unique features like ‘Client Sentiment’, which shows the percentage of CMC Markets clients who have bought versus those who have sold on a particular instrument and ‘Pattern Recognition Scanner’, which automatically identifies common technical patterns to aid in trading decisions.
Additionally, the platform provides a comprehensive news and analysis feature, keeping traders updated with the latest market developments and insights directly within the platform.
Both platforms are accessible on multiple devices. MT4 can be downloaded as a desktop application, or accessed via mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices, allowing traders to manage their accounts and trade from anywhere.
In summary, whether traders prefer the widely-used MT4 for its automation capabilities and established reputation, or the tailored, feature-rich experience of the CMC Markets Trading platform, CMC Markets accommodates both with cutting-edge technology designed to enhance trading effectiveness and convenience.
ACCOUNT TYPES
CMC Markets caters to a diverse clientele by offering three primary types of accounts tailored to different trading objectives: Spread Betting, CFD Trading and FX Active accounts.
Each account type comes with distinct features and benefits, designed to meet the specific needs of traders depending on their geographical location, trading style and focus.
Spread Betting Account
Available exclusively to residents of the UK and Ireland, the Spread Betting account offers a tax-free way to speculate on the financial markets. This account type allows traders to bet on the direction of market prices without actually owning the underlying asset.
Spread betting is particularly attractive due to its tax efficiency; profits from spread betting are exempt from both stamp duty and capital gains tax in the UK and Ireland. This account offers access to a wide range of markets including forex, indices, commodities, shares and more.
CFD Trading Account
The Contract for Difference (CFD) account is available to a global audience and allows traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying assets. This type of trading is popular among those looking to trade across all trading instruments on offer by the broker.
CFD accounts offer the advantage of trading on margin, meaning traders can open larger positions than their initial deposit would otherwise allow. However, it’s important to note that while leverage can magnify profits, it can also amplify losses.
FX Active Account
Designed for serious forex traders who require more advanced features and functionality, the FX Active account provides access to competitive pricing, faster execution and tighter spreads. This account type is suitable for high-volume traders using strategies that require the lowest spreads and commissions.
The FX Active account typically offers lower spreads on major forex pairs and access to a dedicated account manager, as well as premium services that include custom trading insights and strategy support.
Regardless of the account type, all CMC Markets clients have access to the firm’s award-winning platforms, extensive educational resources and customer support. All accounts benefit from robust risk management tools, including stop losses and limit orders, to help traders manage their trading risks effectively.
All accounts come with the standard Price+ scheme, while traders can also access the broker’s premium service, Alpha, where traders et tighter spreads and further 25% spread discount on other FX pairs.
Additionally, the broker also offers a CMC Invest Account and a Corporate Account for clients looking for different trading options.
HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
Opening an account with CMC Markets is straightforward and easily accessible to all traders. Clients need to sign up on the broker’s website before uploading their personal information and relevant required documents.
Once their details have been verified, traders can deposit funds, select their account type and begin trading.
DEMO ACCOUNT
CMC Markets offers a free demo account, providing virtual funds of up to 10 000 GBP for traders to practice trading strategies and familiarise themselves with the platform without financial risk.
The demo account aims to simulate live market conditions, ensuring traders can experience market conditions on the demo account that are similar to live accounts.
SOCIAL TRADING AND COPY TRADING
While CMC Markets does not offer native social trading or copy trading services, users can utilise third-party solutions through the MT4 platform to copy trades from other successful traders.
The MT4 platform also provides traders the opportunity to make use of EAs on their trading accounts, automating any copy trading strategies on their account.
COMMISSIONS AND FEES
CMC Markets is known for its transparency in fees. It primarily earns from spreads rather than charging high commissions.
The broker does not charge commissions on any of the account types, as these are included in the spreads. However, the broker does charge commissions on share CFDs which are fixed at 2.50 GBP per 100 000 of notational value.
LEVERAGE
The leverage offered by CMC Markets is limited to only 30:1 due to regulatory restrictions imposed by the FCA. Unfortunately, this is the highest leverage available when trading with the broker.
WITHDRAWALS AND DEPOSITS
CMC Markets offers limited methods for withdrawals and deposits, with only bank wire transfers and credit and debit card transactions being accepted.
Fortunately, the broker does not charge any fees on withdrawals and deposits, while they do state that third-party transactions fees may be applicable on these transactions.
Additionally, the broker does not require a minimum deposit, ensuring that their services are easily accessible to all traders.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Customer support is available 24/5 and accessible via live chat, email and phone. The service team is knowledgeable and responsive, helping resolve issues efficiently.
The customer service team at CMC Markets has received positive feedback according to customer reviews, so new traders can be assured that their needs will be taken care of with the broker.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
CMC Markets places a strong emphasis on the safety and security of its clients’ assets and personal information. Being regulated solely by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, CMC Markets adheres to some of the strictest financial regulatory standards globally.
The FCA is renowned for its rigorous oversight and rules which are designed to ensure market integrity and protect the interests of traders. This oversight requires the broker to maintain high levels of transparency, fairness and honesty.
The FCA’s regulatory framework includes requirements for capital adequacy, client fund protection and regular financial reporting. These regulations ensure that the company operates with the utmost integrity and that clients’ investments are handled responsibly.
To complement its regulatory compliance, CMC Markets employs advanced security measures to protect the integrity of client data and transactions including encryption technology, two-factor authentication, segregated client funds and advanced risk management tools.
By adhering to the FCA’s stringent regulations and employing robust security measures, CMC Markets offers a secure trading environment where clients can focus on their trading activities with confidence, knowing they are supported by some of the highest standards of regulatory compliance and data protection in the financial services industry.
PROMOTIONS
Currently, the broker does not offer any promotions or bonuses however this may be subject to change and traders are encouraged to regularly visit the broker’s website to keep up to date with the latest offerings from CMC Markets.
RESEARCH
CMC Markets offers comprehensive research tools including various news and analysis, Opto news and the various research tools available on the MT4 platform, which are integral for making informed trading decisions.
The research tools made available by the broker ensure that traders have access to all the tools they need to be successful in trading.
EDUCATION
The platform provides a wide range of educational resources such as webinars, seminars and access to the learn hub, which contains various articles and lessons relating to all aspects of trading.
The available educational tools highlight the broker’s commitment to their clients success.
GLOBAL AWARDS
CMC Markets has been recognised with numerous awards for its brokerage services, trading platform features and technological innovations in finance.
Some of their most recent awards include the following:
- 1 Web Platform (2023) – ForexBrokers.com Awards.
- Best In-House Analysts (2023) – Professional Trader Awards.
- Best Mobile Trading Platform (2022) – ADVFN International Financial Awards.
- Best CFD Provider (2022) – Online Money Awards.
- Best Spread Betting Provider (2021) – The City of London Wealth Management.
SAFE OR SCAM?
When considering the safety of trading with CMC Markets, it is crucial to review its regulatory status and operational history. CMC Markets is regulated by the FCA in the UK, one of the most respected and stringent financial regulatory bodies worldwide.
The FCA’s oversight ensures that CMC Markets adheres to strict financial conduct and consumer protection standards, which significantly enhances its credibility and reliability as a broker.
In addition to its regulatory framework, CMC Markets has a long-standing reputation in the financial services industry, having been established in 1989. Over decades, the company has built a robust track record of transparency, client satisfaction and innovation in trading technology.
The broker regularly publishes financial reports and is subject to rigorous audits, further affirming its commitment to transparency and ethical business practices.
It is clear that CMC Markets operates with high standards of safety and integrity and can be classified as a safe choice for traders. The evidence strongly suggests that CMC Markets is not a scam, but a reputable and reliable broker in the online trading industry.
CONCLUSION
CMC Markets stands out as a robust and reliable trading platform suitable for traders of all levels. With its advanced tools, diverse offerings and strong regulatory practices, it provides a secure environment for trading across a wide range of financial instruments.
The broker provides access to one of the largest variety of trading instruments available in the industry today and has a range of account types available for their traders. Combined with the research and educational tools provided by the broker, it is clear that their traders’ success are at the forefront of the broker’s service offering.
After conducting the above review on the broker, the team at Brokersuggest.com can strongly recommend CMC Markets as a great broker in the industry.
