Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting and/or trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Free Ebook Four principles for trading in the zone Insights from 15 top traders

Open a spread betting demo account

Hone your spread betting skills on our award-winning platform*

  • Practise spread betting on thousands of forex, index and commodity instruments
  • Powerful charting and innovative trading tools
  • Practise on the move with our mobile and tablet apps
  • Award-winning support around the clock, whenever the markets are open^
CMC Markets
CMC Markets

Value for money

We offer competitive and reliable pricing, with tight spreads and low margins. Spread bet on key FX pairs like EUR/USD from 0.7 points, 1 point on major indices like the UK 100, and 0.3 points on Gold. Margin rates start from 3.3% for FX and 5% for indices.

CMC Markets

More opportunities

Spread betting offers you the ability to diversify your portfolio with tax-free** trading on a huge range of forex pairs, stock indices, commodities, shares and treasuries.

CMC Markets

Nearly 30 years' experience

Since launching in 1989, we’ve become one of the world's leading spread betting and CFD providers. As one of the industry's pioneers, you can be confident that when you're spread betting with us, you're spread betting with one of the best in the business.

CMC Markets

Intuitive platform

Our unique online spread betting platform, Next Generation, has already won multiple awards and we're constantly working on new functionality, products and tools to enhance your experience.

CMC Markets

Multiple award-winners

We have won over 50 awards worldwide in the last two years, including Best Online Trading Platform at the 2017 Shares Awards. The awards recognise the quality of our service, and dedication to delivering innovation and technology, through our web-based trading platform and native mobile apps. 

98% of calls answered in under 20 seconds

When there's a market open, we are too

What is spread betting?

Find out more about spread betting

How does spread betting work?

Spread betting is a tax-efficient way of speculating on the price movement of thousands of global financial markets (or instruments), including indices, currency pairs, commodities, shares and treasuries.

When you spread bet you take a position based on whether you think the price of an instrument will rise or fall, and make a profit or loss based on whether or not the market moves in your direction. Remember, losses can exceed deposits.

You don't buy or sell the underlying asset you wish to trade, such as a physical share or commodity. Instead you place a bet based on whether you think the price of the market will go up or down in value. If you think the value of a share or commodity will rise, you would open a long position (buy). Conversely, if you think the share or commodity will fall in value, you would take a short position (sell).

Why spread bet with CMC Markets?

  • Choose from over 9,000 spread betting instruments
  • Practise on our award-winning Next Generation platform and mobile apps
  • Build your risk management skills with our range of stop orders including guaranteed stop-loss orders 

Spread bet with a reputed global provider

80,000+

active clients worldwide across all account types

64.5M

trades per annum across all products

13

global offices

Open a free spread betting demo account

Capital at risk on a live account

Winner 2019

Platform Features

Investment Trends UK Leverage Trading Report

Winner 2019

Mobile Phone/Tablet Platform

Investment Trends UK Leverage Trading Report

Winner 2018

Financial Services Provider of the Year

Shares Awards

Winner 2019

Best Mobile/Tablet App

Shares Awards

Winner 2019

Best Trading App

Investors Chronicles & Financial Times Awards

Winner 2019

Best In-House Analysts

Professional Trading Awards

Winner 2018

Best Spread Betting Service

Shares Awards

Winner 2019

Best Phone & Email Customer Service

Investment Trends UK Leverage Trading Report

Awarded Best Platform Features and Best Mobile Phone/Tablet App, among spread betters, CFD and FX traders.

Investment Trends 2019 UK Leverage Trading Report

*Awarded Best Platform Features and Best Mobile Phone/Tablet Platform; ranked highest for Charting, based on highest user satisfaction among spread betters, CFD and FX traders, Investment Trends 2018 UK Leverage Trading Report.

**Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and can change or may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.

^Awarded Best Customer Service, based on highest user satisfaction among spread betters, CFD and FX traders, Investment Trends 2018 UK Leverage Trading Report.

Spreads may widen and margins may increase in volatile markets.

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