Indices are a measure of a section of shares in the stock market, created by combining the value of several stocks to create one aggregate value. Major financial indices include the Dow Jones Industrial Average, FTSE 100, and S&P 500. The Dow Jones index, for example, represents 30 large publicly-listed companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange. More on indices trading

Indices Trading | Trade 80+ Global Indices

Q: How can I trade on indices?

You can start trading on indices by opening a live account. Or, to practice index trading strategies, open a demo account and trade with virtual funds.

Q: What is leveraged trading?

Leveraged trading allows you to gain exposure to a larger position with a smaller upfront deposit. In forex CFD trading, leverage can increase both potential profits and potential losses. Because losses are calculated on the full position size, leveraged trading carries a high level of risk.

Q: How does CFD trading on indices actually work?

When you trade CFDs on indices via our platform, you don't buy or sell the underlying index. Instead, you're taking a position on whether you think the index will go up or down. While you can trade on leverage, meaning you only need to put up a minor percentage of the overall trade’s value, any profit or loss is based on the full value of the trade.

Q: How does CMC Markets protect my money?

Client money is held in segregated accounts, in line with applicable regulatory requirements. Segregation means client money is kept separate from the firm's own money. Regulatory protection doesn't remove the risk of trading losses.

Q: Is CMC Markets regulated?

Yes, CMC Markets Canada Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). CFDs are distributed in Canada by CMC Markets Canada Inc. acting as principal.

Q: Is it free to open an account?

There's no fee to open an account. Trading costs may apply when you trade, including spreads, commissions, holding costs, and other applicable charges.

Q: How does CMC Markets make money?

CMC Markets may make money from the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell prices. Depending on the account type and product, commissions and holding costs may also apply.

Q: What can I trade with CMC Markets?

CMC Markets Canada offers access to CFDs across forex and other markets. Product availability may vary by account type, platform, and jurisdiction.

Est. 1989

2m+ global traders and investors²

LSE listed*

2025 WINNER

No.1 Commissions & Fees

ForexBrokers.com Awards

2023 WINNER

Best Forex Broker

Good Money Guide Awards

2024 WINNER

Best Mobile Trading Platform

ADVFN International Financial Awards

What is indices trading?

Indices trading is the buying and selling of a group of stocks that make up an index, such as our US 30 index (Dow Jones), which tracks 30 large publicly traded companies on the New York Stock Exchange.

Trading on indices is popular with short-term traders who want to speculate on highly-liquid assets, with tight spreads and minimal slippage. Speculating on indices offers traders exposure to a wide range of stocks.

Why trade indices with us?

Your favourites in one place

Trade on over 70 cash and forward indices based on the NYSE and dozens of other global markets.

Trade out of hours

Favourites like the US 30 and US 100 trade 24/5, so you don't have to stop when the markets do.

CIRO member firm

CMC Markets Canada Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization and operates on an order-execution-only basis.

Precision pricing

We combine multiple feeds from tier-one banks, to get you the most accurate bid/ask price.

Dedicated customer service

Experienced customer service available in EN, FR, and ZH to support you in your trading.

Earn trading rebates

High-volume traders receive trading rebates starting at 10% and up to 25% of their total account value.

Trading platforms overview

2024 WINNER

Best Mobile Trading Platform

ADVFN International Financial Awards

Mobile app

The CMC Markets mobile app gives you access to forex markets from your phone or tablet.

Use the app to:

Monitor live prices
Place and manage trades
Access mobile-optimized charts
Set price alerts
Review open positions and account activity

CMC platform

The CMC platform is designed for active traders who want access to charts, watchlists, order tickets, technical indicators, and risk-management features in one place.

Use the platform to:

Monitor forex pairs and other markets
Place and manage CFD trades
Access advanced charting and technical tools
Set alerts and manage watchlists
Review open positions, orders, and account performance
The platform is available on desktop and can be used alongside the CMC mobile app.

MetaTrader

MetaTrader, also known as MT4 or MT5, is a widely used third-party trading platform for forex and CFD trading.

With CMC Markets Canada, a standard or FX Active account is available on the MT4/5 platforms, and doesn't provide access to the CMC platform or TradingView.

MT4/MT5 includes tools such as technical indicators, automated trading features, and Expert Advisors. Automated tools can support analysis and execution, but they don't remove trading risk.

What are other traders saying about CMC Markets?

As a financial services pioneer, we combine technical excellence with 37 years of industry know-how. That‘s why 2 million+ global traders and investors put their confidence in us.³

User FriendUser Friendly Platform / Easy to Use / Nice charts ly Platform / Easy to Use /…User Friendly Platform / Easy to Use / Nice charts M D Khorasani,2 hours ago

great chartsgreat chartsYves Larochelle,yesterday

like numbersnumberslike numbersAlbert,2 days ago

So easy to useSo easy to use, no irritating complication like I’ve experienced on other platform, I certain that I’m sticking with them…Millie,3 days ago

I use CMC for spread bettingI use CMC for spread betting. It’s pretty easy to use. Like any leveraged trading platform, it’s easy to take a lot of risk! Easy to use,3 days ago

very easy platform quick to move around…very easy platform quick to move around user friendly easy to learn comfortable to use Yunus Luqmani,5 days ago

New hereNew here, and finding my way around and looking to the futureRobert Patterson,5 days ago

Prefect dataPrefect dataKhalil,7 days ago

Good simple to use appGood simple to use appDIPA LAKHMAN,October 22

I like it because it’s easy to trade or…I like it because it’s easy to trade or make deposit or withdraw and quick login and logout and no extra charges Afsin,October 22

Indices trading costs

Trade on more than 70 index instruments, based on major US, Canadian, European, Asian and African indices.

NAME	MIN SPREAD	PRICE	DAY	WEEK	TREND

Pricing is indicative. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

product	min spread	margin	price	day	week	trend	holding cost buy	holding cost sell

Pricing is indicative. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

NAME	MIN SPREAD	MARGIN RATE	PRICE	DAY	WEEK	TREND	HOLDING COST BUY	HOLDING COST SELL

Pricing is indicative. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

NAME	MIN SPREAD	MARGIN RATE	PRICE	DAY	WEEK	TREND	HOLDING COST BUY	HOLDING COST SELL

Pricing is indicative. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Dive deeper

What is indices trading?

Learn what indices trading is and how you can speculate on the performance of entire stock markets.

What are indices?

How to trade indices

Understand the steps to start trading indices, from selecting an index to analyzing market trends.

How to trade indices

FAQs

New to index trading?

What are indices?

How can I trade on indices?

What is leveraged trading?

How does CFD trading on indices actually work?

New to CMC Markets?

How does CMC Markets protect my money?

Is CMC Markets regulated?

Is it free to open an account?

How does CMC Markets make money?

What can I trade with CMC Markets?

Do you have any questions?

Our client services team is here whenever the markets are open.
Email us at clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.ca or call us on 1-866-884-2608.

¹0.009 seconds CFD median trade execution time on CMC Markets' web and mobile platforms, 1 April 2024-31 March 2025.

²Best Mobile Trading Platform, ADVFN International Financial Awards 2024; No.1 Web Platform, ForexBrokers.com Awards 2023; No.1 Most Currency Pairs, ForexBrokers.com Awards 2023; Best Charting (Germany), Investment Trends Leverage Trading Report 2023; Best Customer Service (Germany), Investment Trends Leverage Trading Report 2023; Best In-House Analysts, Professional Trader Awards 2023; No.1 Platform Technology (UK), ForexBrokers.com Awards 2022; Best CFD Provider (UK), Online Money Awards 2022; Industry Pioneer with "Outstanding" Customer Rating (Germany), Focus Money Test Edition 36/2022, "Very good" Trading Platform (Germany), Deutsches Kundeninstitut (DKI) Survey 2022.

³Based on over 2 million unique user logins across CMC's trading and investing platforms, including partners, as at November 2025.

Trade CFDs on Global Indices

What is indices trading?

Why trade indices with us?