NASDAQ
Apple, Microsoft, Tesla – if you want to get your hands on the grandest of the blue-chip stocks, you will find them at NASDAQ brokers. The New York-based National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations is second only to the New York Stock Exchange in market capitalisation of shares traded, but it is the first name on many traders’ lips if you ask where to find the world’s most innovative market leaders.
There is no shortage of online brokers offering UK traders access to this front-running exchange, but there are a few things investors need to know before they dive in, and this guide is where to find them. We also list the best brokers with NASDAQ and NAS100 in 2024.
Best NASDAQ Brokers
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Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for traders at all levels.
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Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB now serves more than 1 million clients. The forex and CFD broker combines a heavily regulated trading environment with an extensive selection of 6400+ assets and a commitment to trader satisfaction, featuring an intuitive in-house platform with superb tools to support aspiring traders.
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Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a respected broker listed on the London Stock Exchange and authorized by several tier-one regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO. More than 1 million traders from around the world have signed up with the multi-award winning brokerage.
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FXCC is an established broker that’s been offering low-cost online trading since 2010. Registered in Nevis and regulated by the CySEC, it stands out for its ECN trading conditions, no minimum deposit and smooth account opening that takes less than 5 minutes.
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IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
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Eightcap is an award-winning, FCA-regulated broker offering industry-low trading fees. They are also the highest-rated brand by TradingView’s 50 million-strong users, who can trade directly on the platform. UK traders can sign up for a live account with an accessible £100 minimum deposit.
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RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
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eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 51% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
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Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
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InstaForex is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2007. The broker offers diverse market coverage to millions of clients, spanning traditional assets like currencies and shares, as well as other interesting opportunities such as IPOs.
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Interactive Investor are a hugely respected, FCA-regulated investing firm. The trading platform is easy-to-use while the sign-up and deposit process is straightforward for new investors. ii also has a long track record and a string of industry awards under its belt.
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OANDA is an award-winning global broker, established in 1996. The hugely respected brand offers competitive trading accounts and serves clients from 196 countries. It remains a popular option with both beginners and experienced traders thanks to its user-friendly and sophisticated web platform, no minimum deposit and premium currency products and services. The company is also overseen by reputable regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO.
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Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Australia. The firm offers low-cost fixed and variable spreads on 1000+ assets with robust trading platforms and training materials. The Signal Centre can also be used for trade ideas.
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Established in 2001, easyMarkets has made for a name for itself as a trusted, fixed spread broker. Improvements to its tools over the years, from adding the MetaTrader suite and TradingView to enhancing its exclusive risk management tools like dealCancellation, mark it out from the competition.
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BlackBull is a New Zealand-based CFD broker providing diverse trading opportunities on over 26,000 instruments. After undergoing a rebrand in 2023, it now sports a modern look and feel complete with professional-grade trading tools and ultra-fast execution speeds averaging 20ms.
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Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.
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Established in 2006, FxPro has emerged as a trusted non-dealing desk (NDD) broker offering trading on over 2,100 markets to more than 2 million clients worldwide. It has scooped over 100 industry awards and counting for its competitive conditions for active traders.
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Established in 2008 and headquartered in Israel, Plus500 is a prominent brokerage that boasts over 25 million registered traders in over 50 countries. Specializing in CFD trading, the company offers an intuitive, proprietary platform and mobile app. It maintains competitive spreads and does not charge commissions or deposit or withdrawal fees. Plus500 also continues to shine as one of the most trusted brokers with licenses from reputable regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CySEC.
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Fusion Markets is an online broker established in 2017 and regulated by the ASIC, VFSC and FSA. It is best known for its low-cost forex and CFD trading, although its multiple account types and copy trading solutions cater to a range of traders. New clients can sign up and start trading in 3 easy steps.
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Established in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering high/low contracts on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the platform continues to prove popular with budding traders.
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GO Markets is an established forex and CFD broker with multiple industry awards and accolades. The ECN/STP broker is popular with budding traders, offering competitive accounts in multiple base currencies and a range of flexible payment methods. With top-tier regulation from CySEC and ASIC, GO Markets is a trusted broker.
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Founded in 2008, NordFX is an offshore CFD broker offering forex, stock, commodities, indices and crypto trading to over 1.7 million clients in 190 countries. Traders access markets through the MT4 and MT5 platforms and benefit from low commissions, spreads from zero and decent extra features. Minimum deposits start from just $10 and very high leverage is available up to 1:1000.
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Spreadex is an FCA-regulated broker that offers spread betting opportunities on an impressive 10,000+ CFD instruments including 60 forex pairs. Traders can also take short-term positions on sporting events. The brand has been around for over 20 years and has won multiple awards.
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Established in 2007, Axi is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker that has made strides to improve its trading experience over the years, from expanding its suite of stocks and upgrading the Axi Academy to launching its own copy trading app.
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EagleFX is a forex and CFD broker, established in 2019. The broker uses STP execution on the MT4 platform, offering tight spreads and low commissions. With leverage up to 1:500 and no restrictions on hedging or scalping, EagleFX is an attractive option for short-term traders.
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Founded in 2015, VT Markets maintains its position as a top Australian multi-asset CFD broker. With 1000+ tradeable instruments and support for the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, this broker delivers a wide range of trading opportunities to over 200,000 clients worldwide. VT Markets is regulated by the ASIC, FSCA, and FSC.
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PrimeXBT is a multi-asset platform offering highly leveraged trading in forex, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The company launched in 2018 and now has over 1 million users from more than 150 countries. With no minimum deposit, copy trading features and low commissions, the broker remains a popular option among crypto trading novices.
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FXTrading.com is global broker offering highly leveraged CFDs on 10,000+ assets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Competitive prices with raw spreads and low to zero commissions are available. Traders can use the popular MetaTrader 4 platform and will have access to a suite of additional analytical tools and other resources. The multi-regulated brokerage is authorized by the ASIC and VFSC.
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M4Markets is an award-winning broker regulated by the CySEC, FSA and DFSA. Although relatively new, the broker continues to improve its offering with a range of innovative tools, platforms and accounts. Beginners can start with just $5, whilst experienced investors can access leverage up to 1:5000.
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Founded in 2010, ThinkMarkets is a reputable CFD and forex broker with regulation from several top-tier bodies including the FCA and ASIC. The broker provides services to over 450,000 accounts from 11 global offices. Traders can use a bespoke platform, MT4 or MT5 to access a wide variety of assets including 3500+ stocks and ETFs, 46 forex pairs and over 20 cryptocurrencies.
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Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
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Webull is a multi-regulated trading app that offers stocks, options, forex, cryptos, ETFs, fractional shares and more. The firm is authorized by the SEC, FINRA and FCA and continues to uphold a strong trust rating. Low fees, no minimum investment and generous welcome bonuses have made the discount broker popular with online investors.
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Trade.com is a trustworthy online broker with a global presence. The broker offers 2,100+ CFDs in major markets, as well as futures, options and more. The broker offers best-in-class platforms and superior analysis tools for experienced traders. The broker is also regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA and CySEC.
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Grand Capital is a MetaTrader broker with welcome bonuses, trading competitions and an intuitive copy trading service. Several account types and 400+ assets provide trading opportunities for various types of investors and strategies. New users can also open an account and start trading in a matter of minutes.
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IronFX is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker founded in 2010. This award-winning firm offers 500+ markets to over 1.5 million clients across 180 countries. Traders can access various account types with competitive pricing on the MT4 platform, as well as 24/5 customer support in 30 languages.
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Ingot Brokers is a multi-regulated brokerage established in 2006. The broker offers CFD trading opportunities on 1000+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms and offers both raw spreads and commission-free account options.
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FinPros is an offshore broker that provides CFD trading on 400+ instruments with high leverage up to 1:500. This is a reliable bet for traders seeking offshore options, with strong security measures, negative balance protection and segregated client funds. The extra features including trading tools and commission-free stocks make this a good choice for beginners, and experienced traders will appreciate tight spreads.
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Scope Markets offers trading and investing in multiple spot and CFD instruments. The group of brokers is regulated in several locations, including Belize, Kenya and South Africa. Users get competitive trading conditions, a range of payment methods, strong support and can get started in a few straightforward steps.
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Dukascopy is an online broker operated by a Swiss-regulated banking group. It offers a good selection of 500+ markets, with forex, stocks, gold, ETFs, indices, bonds and cryptocurrencies available. It also offers flexible trading opportunities through the choice of CFDs or binary options. Traders will use MetaTrader 4 or a proprietary platform that is well-suited to automated trading.
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Launched in 2017, Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.
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xChief is a foreign exchange and CFD broker, established in 2014. The company is based offshore and registered with the VFSC and FMA. Users can choose between a wide selection of accounts and base currencies, making ForexChief accessible to global traders. The brand also stands out for its no deposit bonus and fee rebates for high-volume traders.
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Kwakol Markets is a Nigerian headquartered broker with strong regulatory oversight in Australia and Canada. A great selection of trading assets are available, including synthetic products that simulate realistic market activity. Clients can trade on the MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms, as well as a copy trading solution whereby a fee is only paid on profitable trades.
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OspreyFX is an ECN broker headquartered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Established in 2019, the firm offers 120+ forex and CFD assets with high leverage up to 1:500, tight spreads from 0.1 pips and round-the-clock customer support. OspreyFX also stands out for its funded trading accounts where traders can keep up to 70% of profits.
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Errante is a Cyprus-based and regulated forex and CFD broker with leveraged trading on multiple assets, tiered accounts including a zero-spread option, and copy trading support. The broker offers leveraged trading up to 1:30 under its CySEC-regulated branch and 1:500 from an offshore branch, and supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Errante's asset list is relatively limited but it does offer fast execution and low latency, and it is a trustworthy brand.
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LonghornFX is a forex and CFD broker offering over 150 instruments with leverage up to 1:500. The firm is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and was launched in 2020. Clients can access a strong selection of cryptos, alongside forex, indices, commodities and stocks. With ECN/STP processing, this offshore broker promises tight spreads and fast execution.
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Firstrade is a US-headquartered discount broker-dealer with authorization from the SEC. The company is also a member of FINRA/SIPC. With welcome bonuses, powerful tools and apps, plus commission-free trading, Firstrade Securities is a popular and top-tier online brokerage. It is also quick and easy to open a new account.
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Baxia Markets is an offshore CFD broker that offers trading on forex, commodities and indices with tight spreads on a straight-through processing model with ultra-low latency. Trade on MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 with leverage up to 1:500 and no restrictions to scalping or hedging strategies. Users also benefit from third-party copy trading services.
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Revolut has emerged as the most downloaded financial app in 11 countries with over 45 million users and more than $23 billion held in customer balances. It facilitates commission-free trading on over 2000 stocks and commodities, alongside 185 cryptos with a minimum investment of just $1. The mobile trading experience remains market-leading for casual investors seeking low, transparent fees.
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TMGM is an ASIC-regulated forex and CFD broker with a vast range of tradeable assets covering forex, stock, index, crypto and commodity markets. The account types on offer provide a flexible choice between no commission or zero spreads, with competitive pricing all-round.
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Anzo Capital is an offshore broker that offers leveraged CFDs on 100+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices and metals. The MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms are supported, and traders can choose between an STP account with spreads starting from 1.4 pips and zero commission, or an ECN account with a $4 round-turn commission and spreads from zero. A decent range of payment methods are accepted, including crypto deposits.
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AdroFx is an offshore ECN/STP broker that has offered CFD trading since 2018. The firm supports 100+ tradable assets on the popular MetaTrader 4 platform as well as a web trader, Allpips. Eight live accounts are available with no restrictions on trading strategies.
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Global Prime is a multi-regulated trading broker offering 150+ markets. Traders can get started with a $200 minimum deposit and trade with leverage up to 1:100. The firm also has a high trust score and a good reputation with a license from the ASIC.
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ActivTrades is a UK-headquartered CFD and forex broker established in 2001. The award-winning brokerage has secured licenses from trusted bodies, notably the UK’s FCA, and facilitates trading on over 1000 instruments spanning 7 asset classes, with over 93.60% of orders are executed at the requested price.
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SimpleFX is an online broker specializing in CFD and cryptocurrency trading, with multi-currency accounts, STP execution, low pricing and no minimum deposit. Bringing innovation and gaining recognition at numerous industry events since 2014, SimpleFX now caters to retail traders from over 190 countries, boasting a client base exceeding 200,000 active users.
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Fortrade is a multi-asset, multi-regulated broker with branches regulated by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC among others. The brand offers trading opportunities on a wide range of instruments including stocks, bonds, commodities, forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs, with competitive fees and support for MetaTrader 4 and a proprietary platform.
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Established in 2005 in Australia, FP Markets is an ASIC- and CySEC-regulated broker boasting an extensive suite of tradable assets. Its Standard and Raw accounts cater to traders at every level, while it packs a punch in the tooling department, from the MetaTrader suite and intuitive TradingView to actionable trading ideas from Trading Central and AutoChartist.
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Infinox is a UK-based and FCA-regulated broker that offers diverse trading products thanks to its STP and ECN account types and support for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and a proprietary platform. Clients can also benefit from a free VPS that can support automated strategies and a social trading platform, catering to both beginner and seasoned traders.
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Hantec Markets was established in Hong Kong in 1990. Initially, the company concentrated solely on the Chinese and Taiwanese markets. In 2008, the broker rebranded and expanded its presence in the UK, Australia, Japan, and various other countries, before enhancing its footprint in Latin America in 2022. Hantec now stands as a multinational brokerage with 18 offices across Europe and Asia.
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Zacks Trade is a FINRA-regulated US broker offering trading on stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, bonds and more through a proprietary terminal. The broker is geared toward active traders and offers very affordable fees on most assets as well as an app and a vast amount of market data.
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Admirals is a multi-regulated broker with an excellent range of leveraged instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, cryptos and more. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingCentral platforms. With both spread betting and CFDs available and thousands of instruments, this broker provides more flexibility than most rivals.
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Just2Trade is a reliable multi-regulated broker registered with FINRA, NFA and CySEC. The company has 155,000 clients from 130 countries and stands out for its huge suite of instruments and additional features, including a social network, robo advisors and a funded trader programme.
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BinaryCent is an unregulated binary options broker that offers 24/7 trading on forex, cryptos and stocks with payouts up to 95%. Despite its lack of regulation, this broker takes client security seriously and stores client funds in European banks. The broker also offers CFDs with very high leverage up to 1:500.
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World Forex is an offshore broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, offering commission-free trading with a $1 minimum deposit and 1:1000 leverage. Digital contracts are also available, offering beginners a straightforward way to speculate on popular financial markets.
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FXPrimus is an award-winning CySEC-regulated brokerage offering CFD trading on 200+ instruments via the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader platforms. The choice between a competitive commission-free account and two affordable raw spread options make this an accessible broker for anyone seeking forex, stocks, indices and commodities with high leverage.
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FXCentrum is an offshore broker that offers highly leveraged, commission-free trading on diverse instruments with tight spreads. Traders can access forex, equity and commodities markets via MetaTrader 5 or the proprietary FXC platform and use the award-winning ZuluTrade platform for copy trading.
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Vault Markets is an award-winning brokerage headquartered in Namibia. It is an accessible direct-market-access CFD broker with affordable minimum deposits, flexible funding methods and high leverage. This broker offers a very large range of forex pairs as well as commodities and indices through MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5.
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Exinity provides flexible low-cost trading in FX, commodities, indices and equities alongside unique education and support provided by teams located across the world. Now operating in the Middle East, through regulation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi and the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, Exinity provides a range of services to traders and investors looking for new opportunities in the financial markets.
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FXTM is a forex and CFD broker established in 2011 and operating across four continents. The company is secure and regulated by leading authorities, including the FCA. Offering 1,000+ markets and three account types, they cater to all levels of trader.
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Capital.com offer CFDs on a range of markets with competitive spreads and zero commissions. The broker also offers the Investmate app, negative balance protection and leveraged trading.
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Trading 212 is a European and UK-regulated CFD broker that also offers stock investing and ISAs. It’s best known for its commission-free trading model and beginner-friendly app, which has helped it attract 2.5 million users and £3.5 billion in client assets.
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LegacyFX is a multi-asset broker offering an MT5 download & free signals.
Choosing Brokers With NASDAQ Trading
Instruments & Vehicles
With so much choice available for UK investors looking for NASDAQ exposure, how do you go about choosing a brokerage?
The answer, as ever, depends on the style and purpose of the investments. Someone looking for long-term, stable growth would do well to open an ISA and try to maximise their yearly allowance. This form of passive investment is quick to get started, easy to get to grips with, and in the long run often outperforms more hands-on investment styles despite requiring low effort. Moreover, traders can mix a NASDAQ ETF with funds that deal with other exchanges, commodities and sectors to build a diverse portfolio.
Long-term investors who prefer to directly pick their stocks may prefer one of the ISAs that offers individual NASDAQ shares or a share dealing platform such as eToro, XM, or IG. These provide a quick and easy way to invest in NASDAQ-listed companies, and their platforms are used by millions of investors daily.
Finally, day traders and others looking to make profit through shorter-term stock trades will often have different criteria when looking for a broker with NASDAQ. Derivatives such as CFDs will be more important for this group of traders, who will look to maximise their returns through leveraged trades and will also usually want the flexibility to take a short position.
In the UK, the leverage available on CFDs across individual stocks is usually capped at 1:5, but that leverage can increase to 1:20 on CFDs on the NASDAQ-100 index ETF.
Bear in mind that the stock price of some Nasdaq companies can be hundreds of dollars per share, so it could be useful to go for a trading firm like Interactive Brokers that offers fractional shares.
Fees & Features
When you know what kind of trades you want to make, choosing the right broker largely comes down to comparing each provider’s costs and features and making a final decision.
The fees charged by Nasdaq brokers play an important role in determining the potential a trader has to earn a profit. Many Nasdaq brokers offer commission-free trading, but that doesn’t mean you will not be paying for your trades. Make sure you check the broker’s spread, and look out for any additional fees that may be levied for account maintenance, account inactivity, withdrawals and so on.
If your funds are limited, you may be on the lookout for a NASDAQ broker with a low minimum deposit. Additionally, investors may be charged a markup on the spread when making a trade, and since the NASDAQ is a US-based exchange, you may need to pay a transaction fee to buy an asset with GBP or to convert your cash to USD before the trade.
The features available from different brokers with NASDAQ can also be a big selling point. Brokerages which offer a demo account are useful for rookie traders to learn the ropes, and some offer technical analysis tools that can be helpful when you are preparing to open a position.
While some shorter-term traders may be satisfied with web browser-based platforms such as eToro, many will be looking for the added depth and flexibility of a broker that is compatible with the powerful MT4 or MT5 trading platforms.
At the same time, traders and investors alike will often look for online brokers who offer a diverse range of products so they can practice hedging. For example, if someone is putting a large chunk of cash into a long position on the NASDAQ / NAS100, they may look for a broker that also allows them to trade a volatility index, since a long position on the VIX will usually work as a hedge in case the NASDAQ falls.
Regulation
Finding a secure and reliable NASDAQ broker shouldn’t be difficult in almost any location, thanks to the exchange’s worldwide reach and popularity. Look for NASDAQ brokers that are overseen by a trusted regulator such as FINRA or the UK’s FCA. Also ensure that the broker implements up-to-date security measures to store data safely and protect users’ accounts.
Other Considerations
Other elements to consider include access to other assets like forex, any welcome bonuses, plus minimum position sizes – do they start at 0.01 lots, for example? In addition, it’s worth looking for providers that provide insights into company earnings, the meaning behind the latest stock market drops, options chains, OTC products, the biggest gainers and more. Some investors are also interested in trading during premarket hours to generate real-time profits.
Finally, does the brand offer good customer support, stock screeners, integration with TradingView, live signals, competitive price quotes, or leveraged trading without interest?
It pays to research the available brokers with NASDAQ today before you commit to one. Making a top 10 or top 5 list of brokers with NASDAQ will help you compare the pros and cons of each, meaning it is easier to choose the ideal provider. Alternatively, use our list of the best NASDAQ brokers in 2024 to get started.
NASDAQ Headlines
- The NASDAQ is the world’s second-largest exchange and the home of leading tech giants
- UK investors can gain exposure to the NASDAQ through a variety of trading products
- Many brokers allow investors to trade individual stocks in NASDAQ-listed companies
- Investors can also put money in an index tracker fund that mirrors the NASDAQ’s performance
- Dividend payments from a NASDAQ position may be subject to US taxes
- Investors should also be aware of additional costs that may be involved with trading the NASDAQ, such as currency exchange fees
What Is The Nasdaq?
Founded in 1971 as the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, the Nasdaq was initially a quotations system that eventually developed into an automated exchange – the world’s first electronic stock market. Over the years, many securities that had been traded over-the-counter moved to the NASDAQ, and the exchange was widely known as ‘OTC’ until the 1980s.
Today, the NASDAQ is one of the leading stock exchanges in the world, with a roster of blue-chip companies including giants like Microsoft (MSFT), Intel (INTL), Amazon (AMZN) and NVIDIA Corp and a total market cap in February 2023 above $21 trillion.
As the above examples show, the NASDAQ is known for its large proportion of tech stocks. However, there are many other companies on the NASDAQ lists from diverse sectors, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), gene therapy company Uniqure (QURE), oil and natural gas producer W&T Offshore (WTI), hotel operator Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and electronic car manufacturer Tesla (TSLA).
The Nasdaq headquarters are located in Manhattan, New York.
Stock Market Tiers
The Nasdaq’s three main market tiers are:
- Capital Market (NASDAQ-CM small cap) – contains stocks of companies with smaller market capitalisations and has less strict entry requirements than the larger market cap tiers. Promising NASDAQ penny stocks may be found at this tier.
- Global Market (NASDAQ-GM) mid cap – comprises 1,450 stocks representing the NASDAQ’s global market, with companies having to meet the same criteria as the Global Select Market.
- Global Select Market (NASDAQ-GS) high cap – the most exclusive tier, with 1,200 stocks with high market caps of companies that meet the exchange’s stringent listing requirements.
Indexes
Many traders prefer to trade on NASDAQ indexes, rather than buying specific stocks. This allows traders to speculate on the performance of select parts of the exchange, or on the NASDAQ as a whole. There are several indexes widely available from online NASDAQ brokers:
- The NASDAQ Composite Index – this is the most commonly traded index and is often known simply as ‘the NASDAQ’. Including 2,500 different stocks, it gives a comprehensive view of the NASDAQ’s performance as a whole.
- NASDAQ 100 (NDX) – 100 of the biggest companies trading on the NASDAQ are included on this index, making it an extremely popular index with some 7,000 products linked.
- NASDAQ Global Equity Index – this index tracks the NASDAQ’s global equities, covering around 98% of listed stocks.
- NASDAQ Sector Indexes – traders who want exposure to a specific sector can choose from various NASDAQ sector indexes, including the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector index, the NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech Index, the NASDAQ Transportation Index and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index.
5 Top Companies On The NASDAQ Composite
The top five companies on the Nasdaq by market capitalisation as of February 2023, as well as their weightings on the index, are:
- Microsoft (MSFT) – 12.232
- Apple (AAPL) – 12.047
- Amazon (AMZN) – 6.246
- NVIDIA (NVDA) – 4.455
- Tesla (TSLA) – 4.092
Board Of Directors
The NASDAQ board of directors is headed by Chair and CEO Adena T. Friedman. Together, the board has amassed centuries of experience in top positions at multinational corporations and other financial institutions, including Applied Materials, Inc., Microsoft, Walmart and more.
Live Price Chart
How To Trade On The NASDAQ
Your choice of NASDAQ broker will depend on what you want to trade. There are advantages and disadvantages to different asset types, and some products will work better with a particular investment style than others.
When it comes to brokers with NASDAQ, the choice largely depends on whether you want to pick individual stocks or trade an asset that tracks the overall performance of the top companies or a particular sector on the exchange, such as technology, oil and gas, or financials.
NASDAQ Index Tracker Funds
Many brokers in the UK offer funds which track the NASDAQ, the index of the 101 biggest non-financial companies on the exchange. These funds make strategic picks of a diverse range of stocks on the NASDAQ 100 to provide an asset that is representative of the index as a whole.
The weighting in this type of ETF usually favours companies with higher market capitalisation, as these will have a bigger impact on the index. In other words, the value of your fund should closely follow the price movements of the NASDAQ 100.
NASDAQ 100 tracker ETFs are widely available from established UK brokers. They are popular as a long-term investment option – for example, in an ISA – as they are one of the most reliable performers over a longer time frame.
Additionally, UK investors with exposure to a NASDAQ tracker ETF in their ISA will probably not need to worry about tax-related issues with their investments, as they will be exempt from capital gains tax and dividends will be tax-free.
Other NASDAQ ETFs
A whole host of exchange-traded funds available from UK brokers offer investors exposure to the NASDAQ in a variety of ways. Some of these funds offer investors the pick of NASDAQ-listed companies from a particular sector. For example, some of the best-known NASDAQ ETFs build a portfolio specifically out of stocks in the exchange’s famous tech sector or with Brazilian companies listed on the index.
A range of sector-specific ETFs track the overall performance of diverse areas from the exchange’s pharmaceutical firms – including giants like Moderna – to niche areas such as cybersecurity.
Bear in mind that a lot of other tracker funds and ETFs will provide exposure to NASDAQ companies without specifically tracking the index. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones, for example, are indices tracking the performance of US stocks overall, so naturally both include some of the top NASDAQ holdings companies.
NASDAQ Stocks & Shares
UK investors who like to do their own research and make the effort to develop a portfolio of their own will often seek a broker that offers individual shares in NASDAQ companies. The selection of stocks available to investors is likely to be taken from the exchange’s more limited international listings, but the top NASDAQ brokers and trading platforms still offer a wealth of choice that will satisfy most traders.
Traders on the eToro platform, for example, have access to stocks and shares in 849 NASDAQ-listed companies. This list includes some of the world’s leading companies.
Among the towering names on the NASDAQ you will find:
- Apple (AAPL)
- Airbnb (ABNB)
- Adobe (ADBE)
- Amazon (AMZN)
- Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
- eBay Inc (EBAY)
- Alphabet Inc (GOOG)
- Intel Corporation (INTC)
- The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC)
- Meta Platforms (META)
- Moderna Inc (MRNA)
- Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
- Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)
- Tesla, Inc (TSLA)
A quick glance at this list will show the prominence of tech giants on the NASDAQ. This is a tech-heavy exchange, and it also includes some lesser-known but crucial companies in the sector, such as ASML, one of the most important manufacturers of equipment used to make computer chips. Canny investors will find plenty of worthwhile companies on the NASDAQ, and should put the effort in and do the research to find good bargains.
Individual NASDAQ stocks are harder to come by on most of the established UK ISA accounts, which tend to offer investors ready-made proprietary investment products or access to index-tracking ETFs. But some self-select ISAs will offer investors the opportunity to pick individual companies’ stocks and shares. Interactive Investor is one popular online platform that allows UK users to buy shares of NASDAQ-listed companies.
However, UK investors should remember that even though the ISA leaves them exempt from UK taxes on their investments, they may still be liable to pay tax in the United States if they trade a NASDAQ-listed company. There is a 30% withholding tax charged on dividends in the United States, which your broker or trading platform may subtract from the income you receive.
Filling out a W8-BEN form reduces this amount to 15%, and many NASDAQ brokers also provide assistance with completing and returning this form.
NASDAQ Futures
NASDAQ futures are derivatives that allow traders to execute trades based on their forecasts of the future price of NASDAQ indexes, usually for hedging or speculative purposes.
All NASDAQ futures are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), which sets minimum equity requirements ranging from $2,000–$17,500 depending on the index. However, lower requirements may be on offer from online NASDAQ brokers who deal in index futures.
Popular NASDAQ futures include:
- E-mini NASDAQ futures (ticker: QCN)
- E-mini NASDAQ biotechnology futures (ticker: BIO)
- NASDAQ-100 futures (ticker: ND)
- E-mini NASDAQ-100 futures (ticker: NQ)
NASDAQ Binary Options
Binary options are another choice that is popular among beginner traders due to their streamlined and straightforward qualities. Traders don’t need to worry about setting up and executing complex trades with stop losses – with binaries, you simply bet on whether the price will go up or down and earn (or lose) an amount of money that is determined before the contract begins.
Trading Hours
The NASDAQ follow the same trading hours as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) – from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time Zone (EST).
Extended Markets are available during pre-market hours between 4:00 am and 9:30 am and during after-hours from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Futures markets usually trade almost 24 hours, 6 days a week, from 6:00 pm Sunday to 5:00 pm Friday.
Note that some NASDAQ brokers set their own hours for trading NASDAQ stocks and indexes.
Bottom Line On NASDAQ Brokers
The NASDAQ is one of the world’s best-known stock markets, and it provides opportunities for investors of many different strips. You can find long-term value in NASDAQ index trackers and other ETFs, build up a portfolio of your own pick of individual stocks and shares, or try to profit from price movements by trading derivatives. Whatever your strategy, it is important to take the time to find a broker with NASDAQ that offers the products you want at the most competitive price.
Head to our ranking of the best NASDAQ brokers to find a suitable trading platform.
FAQ
What Is The NASDAQ?
The New York-based National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, or NASDAQ, is the world’s second-largest stock exchange after the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The NASDAQ and NAS100 is also home to some of the world’s biggest tech companies, including Apple and Microsoft, as well as rising giants like Tesla that regularly feature in the news.
How Do I Trade The NASDAQ?
The most convenient way to trade the NASDAQ in the UK is to find a broker or trading platform that deals stocks and shares of NAS 100-listed companies, or ETFs which reflect the price movements of the exchange. Many brokerages offer this type of product, so if you already have a share dealing account, you can check with your existing broker. If not, checking out some comparison and review websites is the best way to embark on your NASDAQ journey. Alternatively, see our list of the top NASDAQ brokers to get started.
What Is The Best Broker With NASDAQ?
It is impossible to choose one “best” broker with NASDAQ, as this depends on the customer’s specific needs. Are you interested in making long-term investments rather than short-term trades? Then a broker that allows access to NASDAQ through a stocks & shares ISA may be the best option for you. But if you are interested in interactive day trading NASDAQ stocks or ETFs, you will need to find a broker that facilitates CFDs, for example. Additionally, since different brokers have different price structures and charge customers for different services, you will need to account for the different costs involved when choosing the best broker with NASDAQ trading.
Also look out for trading halts, access to additional assets like gold and other global indexes, regulations, trading volumes, YTD data and average yields. These are all qualities that will help you find the best forex and stock brokers to trade NASDAQ.
How Do I Trade NASDAQ CFDs?
Many brokers will allow traders to buy contracts for difference on individual NASDAQ stocks. But one of the most popular ways to trade NASDAQ CFDs is through the NAS-100, or US-100 CFD, a cash or futures CFD which tracks the price movement of the exchange as a whole through the securities of 101 of the most important NASDAQ companies.
What Is The Best Strategy For Trading NASDAQ?
Your strategy will depend on your trading style, what you are trading, and a range of other factors. If you want to avoid big losses, investors should aim to build a strategy as they build experience, and this approach requires patience. Trading the NASDAQ is no different to any other type of trade. Even the most careful planning can end in tears if there is a dramatic and unexpected price movement in the wrong direction. As a result, good risk management and careful monitoring of expenses are key for long-term profit. A large part of that can be achieved by picking the right NASDAQ brokers, so all traders should do their research and choose carefully.
Which Broker Has NAS100.CFD?
Popular brokers with NAS100.CFD include Pepperstone and eToro. Both brands offer high-quality investing platforms, views from market commentators, calculators for profit and loss plus pips, as well as automated and quantum trading tools.