CMC MarketsStock Broker ReviewHas commissions

CMC Markets for stocks: 10,000+ share CFDs, 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 range 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 range 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.