Is CMC Markets regulated and safe?

CMC Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities including FCA, ASIC, BAFIN. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at tier-1 banks, separate from company funds. Negative balance protection ensures clients cannot lose more than their deposited capital. Eligible clients may be covered by an investor compensation scheme such as the FSCS (UK) or ICF (EU) within published limits. Always verify the licence on the regulator's public register before depositing.

What is the minimum deposit at CMC Markets?

CMC Markets has no fixed minimum deposit - you can open a live account with any amount. In practice a balance of at least $100–$250 is recommended to provide adequate margin for standard forex pairs.

What are CMC Markets's trading fees and spreads?

CMC Markets quotes spreads from 0.7 pips with no separate commission - all costs are included in the spread. Deposits are free on standard funding methods. An inactivity fee applies after an extended period without trading - check the broker's fee schedule for details.

What trading platforms does CMC Markets offer?

CMC Markets supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and a proprietary web and mobile platform. A mobile trading app is available for iOS and Android. Advanced charting tools are included.

How can I contact CMC Markets customer support?

CMC Markets customer support is available via live chat during trading hours (24 hours a day, Monday to Friday). Phone support is also available. Support is provided in multiple languages.

CMC Markets Stock Broker Review

Name: CMC Markets Stock Broker Review
Item: CMC Markets Stocks
Rating: 4
Author: BrokerDir Editorial Team

CMC Markets offers a broad range of share CFDs on 10,000+ stocks across major global exchanges via its Next Generation platform - an FCA-regulated CFD route to equity exposure without real share ownership.

4.0/ 5

Our scoreSee breakdown ↓

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Also reviewed as:

Forex Broker Crypto Broker

How CMC Markets ranks

Trust & Regulation

#1of 3

Fees & Spreads

#4of 3

Platforms & Tools

#1of 3

Customer Support

#1of 3

Min Deposit

No minimum

Commission/Trade

0.7 pips

Max Leverage

20:1

Founded

1989

London, United Kingdom

Last Reviewed

May 3, 2026

CMC Markets Pros

10,000+ share CFDs across UK, US, European, Asian, and Australian exchanges
Next Generation platform with stock screener, pattern recognition, and Reuters news
LSE-listed company - strong financial transparency and FCA/ASIC regulation
Short selling on shares available - go long or short on 10,000+ equities

CMC Markets Cons

CFDs only - no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment
Commission structure on shares (UK: £9 min, US: $10 min) adds up for small trades
5:1–20:1 leverage cap on retail share CFDs under FCA rules
Inactivity fee of £10/month after 12 months without a trade

CMC Markets Stock Broker Review

CMC Markets for stocks: 10,000+ share CFDs on a premier platform

CMC Markets provides access to over 10,000 share CFDs spanning UK, US, European, Australian, Canadian, and Asian exchanges. This is one of the widest single-broker stock CFD selections in the regulated UK retail space. Importantly, CMC's offering is share CFDs rather than real stock ownership - meaning no dividends, no voting rights, but the ability to go long or short with leverage on equity price movements.

Next Generation platform for stock analysis

CMC's proprietary Next Generation platform is the standout reason traders choose CMC for equity CFDs. It includes a built-in stock screener, pattern recognition technology (powered by Autochartist), Reuters news integration, and detailed company fundamentals for every share on the platform. The charting tools are genuinely professional-grade for a web-based interface.

Costs

CMC Markets charges a commission on share CFDs (unlike its spread-only forex pricing): UK shares cost £9 minimum or 0.10% per trade; US shares cost $10 minimum or 0.02% per share. These rates are competitive for CFD trading but not as cheap as direct market access brokers like Interactive Brokers or commission-free platforms like eToro. Overnight financing charges apply to leveraged positions held past the daily cut-off.

Regulation

CMC Markets is regulated by the FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia, and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: CMCX). This provides a level of financial transparency and regulatory accountability that pure-play CFD brokers operating from offshore jurisdictions cannot match.

Limitations

CMC's stock offering is CFD-based - there is no real share ownership, ISA/SIPP wrapper, or dividend reinvestment programme. The commission structure on shares is higher than true stockbrokers. Leverage on retail share CFDs is typically capped at 5:1 or 20:1 (depending on share volatility) under FCA rules.

Bottom line

CMC Markets is the best-in-class platform for share CFD trading under FCA/ASIC regulation, combining an exceptional analysis environment with one of the widest stock selections among regulated UK CFD brokers. It is not a substitute for a direct stockbroker if real share ownership or tax-wrapper access is required.