Summary

CMC Markets is one of the pioneers of forex and CFD brokerage firms providing retail and institutional trading services. The company has been around for over four decades. With its headquarter in London, the broker operates through its 13 regional offices worldwide. It accepts clients from almost all parts of the world except for a few jurisdictions, such as Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Japan, and the United States.   

Whether you prefer trading currencies or speculating over stock prices appeal to you more, the broker allows you to explore seven major asset classes. Clients can trade 8000+ Shares, 1000+ ETFs, 300+ forex pairs, 90+ commodities, 80+ indices, 30+ treasuries, and 15+ cryptocurrencies at CMC Markets. In addition to CFDs, clients can also invest in real shares at CMC Markets. 

The company holds multiple regulations and fully complies with AML directives. While it employs SSL encryption and two-step authentication to protect clients’ confidential data, indemnity insurance in case of the company’s insolvency is also part of the company’s safety measures. Furthermore, the company keeps clients’ funds in segregated bank accounts in compliance with strict regulatory requirements. Although negative balance protection is available, it is offered to retail clients only. Moreover, the guaranteed stop loss (GSL) feature carries premium charges. 

CMC Markets’ signing-up process is straightforward but takes slightly longer than anticipated. Although clients can choose between trading and investment account types, the company doesn’t offer swap-free accounts. Demo accounts are available though. Clients can use demo accounts to practice their trading skills without compromising real funds. Requiring clients to complete the KYC process before funding their accounts, the company asks for supporting documents for identity and address verification. Multiple payment methods are available for clients’ convenience, while the company doesn’t charge any fee on deposits or withdrawals. 

Supported trading platforms include a custom-built proprietary app, ‘NextGeneration’, and an outsourced ‘MetaTrader4’ platform powered by MetaQuotes. Both platforms are also accessible via Android and iOS-based mobile phones and tablets. Besides being easy to use, both platforms have the tools and indicators required for enhanced trading exposure. Social trading is another option for customers who lack the time or expertise to trade independently. The broker also features advanced research and analytical tools and provides access to rich educational resources. While a detailed FAQs section enables clients to seek quick resolutions to their queries, CMC Markets is also accessible via email and phone. 

This piece will discuss the broker’s regulations, safety, online trading platforms, financial instruments, accounts, fees, commissions, and customer service. We’ll also show you how to open an account and make trades with the broker, and we’ll let you in on what other people have to say about their experience with the firm.

Regulations

The following are the different entities of the broker. 

CMC Markets UK Plc & CMC Spreadbet plc: These entities are based in the UK. Both companies are fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Their official address is 133 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BX. 

• Registration numbers: 173730 and 170627.

CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd: It is situated in Australia at Level 20, Tower 3, International Towers, 300 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney, NSW 2000. The entity holds Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulations. 

• Registration number: ABN 11 100 058 213

CMC Markets Germany GmbH: This entity is based in Germany. Its official address is at Garden Tower, Neue Mainzer Str. 46-50, 60329, Frankfurt, Deutschland. It holds regulations from the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin). 

• Registration number: HRB 114199

CMC Markets Canada Inc.: This is a registered member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organisation of Canada (IIROC). The regulator fully authorises the company to provide retail trading services in the country through its registered office at 100 Adelaide St. West Suite 2915, Toronto, ON M5H 1S3.

CMC Markets Singapore Pte. Ltd.: It holds regulations from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The company’s registered office is located at 9 Raffles Place #30-02 Republic Plaza, Tower I, Singapore, 048619.

• Registration number: UEN 200605050E

Supported Countries

Headquartered in the UK, CMC Markets operates through regional offices worldwide. The company accepts clients from almost all parts of the world, excluding Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Japan, the United States and a few more jurisdictions. 

Available Assets

CMC Markets offer a total of 12,000+ financial instruments to trade, and they include: 

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency investment may be worthwhile if you can stomach the fact that these are highly volatile and carry increased risk exposure. You can speculate on the value of a cryptocurrency using a Contract for Difference (CFD) trading account or purchase and sell them on a crypto exchange. CMC Markets offer 15+ cryptocurrencies to be traded as CFDs, including but not limited to BTC, ETH, LTC, DASH, etc. 

Shares

Buying and selling stocks enable investors to acquire exposure to the overall development and health of the economy or a specific company. The choice is yours as to whether speculating on stocks’ future worth through CFDs appeals to you more or you wish to invest in them for real. 9,000+ real shares and CFDs are available for trading at CMC Markets. Clients don’t have to open separate accounts to buy or sell real shares like Barclays, Sainsbury’s, Apple, Facebook, Tesco, etc.

Commodities

Commodities like Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Gold allow astute investors to capitalise on price fluctuations, but investing in them may be riskier than traditional asset classes. Clients can trade 90+ commodities at CMC Markets. 

Indices

A market index is a fictitious stock and bond portfolio meant to reflect the performance of a specific sector of the economy. The value of an index is determined by averaging the values of its constituent stocks or bonds. This broker offers clients to trade 80+ indices, including but not limited to UK 100, Germany 40, and US 30. 

Forex

The Foreign Exchange Market (often abbreviated as “forex” or “FX”) is the world’s largest financial market. It’s a decentralised marketplace to exchange currencies for one another. Since the exchange rates fluctuate every second, they offer ample buying and selling opportunities to interested parties. CMC Markets supports 300+ currency pairs, such as EUR/USD, GBP/JPY, AUD/NZD, etc. 

ETFs

To invest in a pool of assets like stocks, commodities, or bonds, investors can put their money into exchange-traded funds, abbreviated as ETFs. Unlike other investment funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are purchased and sold throughout the trading day. CMC Markets offer 1000+ ETFs to trade. 

Treasuries

Gilts, bunds, bonds, and treasury notes are all examples of government-issued debt that trade on the treasury market. The broker quotes rates on more than 30 cash and forward treasury CFDs worldwide, including but not limited to Canada Bank 3 month, Euro BTP, Canada Bond 1 YR, Euro Buxl – Cash, etc. 

Spread

The difference between an underlying financial instrument’s bid and ask price is called a spread. CMC Markets charges it as a compensation fee for providing its services. Its spreads seem competitive across all asset classes. You can check the table below for minimum spreads on forex and commodities. 

Leverage

Leverage refers to margin-based trading, where you borrow funds from your broker to open large positions with minimal investments. Using leverage effectively enhances your market exposure but also carries a significant risk of loss. Please note that the maximum leverage available at CMC Markets varies depending on your selected entity. For example, the New Zealand entity offers maximum leverage of up to 1:500. On the other hand, clients residing in countries with stringent regulatory frameworks such as Australia, Europe and the UK can only access the leverage of up to 1:30. 

Please be informed that the company hasn’t stipulated available leverage for individual classes of assets separately. So, you should confirm the available leverage from the broker before opening a leveraged position. 

Fees & Commissions

Using CMC Markets to trade will cost you both trading and non-trading fees. The company’s pricing structure seems consistent with market norms for fees and commissions. However, spreads may vary depending on the selected financial instruments.

Trading Fees

Spreads

The broker offers competitive spreads across all asset classes. For example, clients can trade major currency pairs like EUR/USD with a spread from 0.7 pips, while indices like US SPX 500 are available at a spread from 5.0 pips. Similarly, spreads on commodities such as Gold and Natural Gas start from 3.0 pips. 

Commission

There is a commission fee for buying and selling shares with this company. However, the broker advertises its commission on shares to be as low as 0.1%. 

Rollover Fee/Swap Rate

Clients incur a rollover fee for holding positions overnight. CMC Markets uses interbank rates for the currency of relevant shares to calculate swap charges, in addition to +0.0082% for buy positions and -0.0082% for sell positions.

Non-Trading Fees

There are no deposit and withdrawal fees on this broker, but it does charge other non-trading fees like: 

Currency Conversion Fee

The company applies a 0.5% currency conversion charge if you fund your account or transfer payments in currencies different from your account’s base currency. 

Inactivity Fee

The firm also employs an account inactivity charge of $10 or equivalent on dormant accounts. The company deducts the inactivity charges from your account balance if it remains inactive for more than a year. 

Trading Platforms

While the company offers both the in-house trading app ‘Next Generation’ and the third-party platform ‘MT4’, clients might find the proprietary app more enticing. Please be informed that clients can also use either of the trading platforms on their iOS and Android-based mobile phones and tablet devices. We will be discussing the proprietary trading platform in this section.  

Desktop Trading platform

ActivTrades’ ‘Next Generation trading platform is available on a desktop. It can be accessed on all devices once you login into your trading account. It is equipped with so many features that will make your trading experience with the broker worthwhile. Let’s take a look at some of the features of the desktop trading platform.  

User Interface

The sleekly designed Next-Generation trading platform has a user-friendly interface. You can customise it to suit your taste, though it will take some time before you can start. The distinct colour-coded modules linking feature saves you time and effort by allowing you to update charts for the underlying financial instruments with a single click. 

Charting options

The platform offers excellent charting features, which come with 70+ technical indicators, 30+ drawing tools, and 50+ candlestick patterns. Specifically, the emerging and breakout chart patterns automatically adjust to the new time scale, allowing traders to scan any time frame, from minutes to months.

Order types

The platform’s advanced order types allow traders to define deviation settings and limit potential slippage.

Trade Automation

The Next-Generation platform does not support automated trading techniques. Therefore, clients looking for trade automation need to switch to the MT4 trading terminal. 

How to Open an Account and Trade on CMC Markets Desktop Platform?

The CMC Markets account opening process is easy but a little lengthier. The broker asks for too much information before having you on board. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to open an account with the broker using the desktop platform. 

1. Visit the company’s official website and click the “Create an Account” button at the top right corner of the home page.
2. Select your country of residence and click the get started button.  
3. Enter your email ID, choose a password, pick your desired trading platform and then click on the continue button.
4. Check your email inbox and enter the 6-digit code received from the broker to verify your email address.
5. Fill up the form and enter the information as required, i-e, your name, country of residence, preferred account type and base currency.  
6. Enter your details, including your date-of-birth and mobile phone number. Also, confirm your nationality.
7. Enter your employment details, such as your position, the address of your employer and the relevant industry.
8. Provide details about your financial background, such as annual income and expected investment.  
9. Confirm your previous trading experience, the reason for investment and how many trades you have placed over the past twelve months.  
10. Sign off the declaration form to confirm your agreement with the applicable terms and conditions.  
11. Click on the funding tab on the dashboard, select your prefered payment method, such as Debit card, Credit card, Paypal or Bank transfer, enter your desired amount, and then click continue.    
12. Authorise your transaction details to complete funds transfers.  
13. Navigate back to the trading terminal and select your favourite financial instrument. You can also use the search function to find one.    
14. Configure your trade settings, such as stop loss and margin and click on the buy or sell button to initiate a trade.  

Mobile Trading App

ActivTrades mobile trading app is available to facilitate on-the-go clients. Traders can download the respective version of the mobile trading app from Google Play Store and App Store. It has a sleek design with great features, which include: 

User-friendly Interface

The CMC Markets mobile trading app is feature-rich and easy to use. The broker seems to have spent considerable time developing the app, especially considering the difficulty of categorising and presenting so much data in such a constrained layout. 

Resources

Besides featuring multiple trading tools, it also provides access to advanced research and educational resources. 

Watchlist

Although there is no automatic synchronisation between the desktop and mobile versions, the predefined watchlists are fantastic for spotting potential trade opportunities. 

Product library

Popular items, price shifters, and hot new niches are also on the radar under the product library tab. 

Charting

As with the web-based Next Generation platform, the chart feature on the mobile app is commendable. 

Indicators

While the mobile trading app doesn’t have as many indicators as accessible via the desktop platform, they do not synchronise with the web version either. 

Market Pulse

Market insights, news feed and economic calendar are also accessible via the analysis tab on the mobile trading app. 

How to Open an Account and Trade CFDs with CMC Markets on a Mobile Trading App?

1. Visit Google Play Store or App Store to download the respective version of the mobile trading app on your mobile phone. 
2. Open the app and click the Sign-up button to access the registration page. 
3. Select the account type that you wish to sign-up with CMC Markets.   
4. Select your country of residence from the drop-down menu and click on the get started button.        
5. Enter your email ID, choose a password and click the continue button.  
6. Select your preferred account type and click the register now button.  
7. Check your email inbox and enter the 6-digit code received from the company.  
8. Click on the get started button to start the live account application. 
9. Provide details about you, such as your country of residence, accounts’ base currency, and preferred account type.  
10. Enter your first and last name and click the next button.  
11. Then you need to enter your date of birth (DOB).  
12. Select your nationality and click next. 
13. Provide your mobile phone number.  
14. Enter your postal code and address and click next.
15. Confirm your employment status and click next.  
16. Enter details about your employer and choose the relevant industry.
17. Enter your estimated annual income and investment amount. 
18. Confirm your previous trading experience and the kinds of instruments you have traded before.  
19. Read the terms and conditions and mark your agreement. 
20. Navigate back to the dashboard and click on the funding tab.  
21. Select the prefered payment method, such as Debit card, Credit card, Paypal or Bank transfers, enter your desired amount and click continue.
22. Authorise transaction details to complete funds transfers.  
23. Return to the home screen, and click on the products tab.
24. Select your favourite financial market and click on your prefered tradable instrument, eg. EUR/USD. 
25. Configure your trading details and click on the buy or sell button to initiate an order.

Account Types

CMC Markets offer flexible account types considering the trading needs of individual investors, and they include Spread Betting, CFD and Corporate accounts. However, available account types may vary depending upon your selected entity. For example, the spread betting account might not be available outside the UK. Similarly, the professional account is only available to UK and European Economic Area clients. Let’s quickly go through each account type to check available features. 

Demo Accounts

The broker also offers a virtually funded demo account to enable clients to practise different money and risk management strategies without worrying about losing their real funds. The demo account comes with a $10,000 virtual balance and a one-month expiry period. 

Spread Betting

The spread betting account is tax-efficient, allowing investors to speculate on the prices of thousands of financial instruments without being worried about the taxation element. While there is no minimum deposit to open a spread betting account, the broker doesn’t apply any commission on this account either. Clients can fund the account in GBP and EUR. The company doesn’t support hedging techniques for the spread betting account. 

CFD Account

Traders looking to speculate on the price changes of underlying assets through CFDs typically opt for this account type. While features and services are nearly identical except for the hedging technique, the exception also involves paying capital gain tax on trading CFDs. Moreover, clients can fund their accounts in ten currencies, including NOK, NZD, AUS, CAD, PLN, SGD, SEK, GBP, EUR, and USD.

Corporate Account

Institutional traders can sign up for a corporate account with CMC Markets. Besides access to market insights from the company’s expert analysts, the broker also features Reuters and Morningstar updates in this account. Moreover, clients can also access guaranteed stop loss to stay protected against slippage issues. 

Professional Account

CMC Markets also offer a professional account for eligible clients. However, this account is only available for clients based in the UK and Europe. Let us enlist the eligibility criteria below. 

You must meet at least two conditions to qualify as a professional trader. 

1. Your investment portfolio worth should be equal to 500,000 € or more. 
2. You should have traded sufficiently over the past 12 months with a frequency of at least 10 trades each quarter. 
3. You should have professional experience in the financial sector of one year or more. 

Note: The broker doesn’t offer interest-free accounts for shariah practising traders. 

Payment Methods

Clients have flexible payment options available at CMC Markets. However, these are not as many as offered by other brokers. 

Deposit Methods

You can add funds to your account using Debit cards, Credit cards, Paypal, and Bank transfers. While the broker hasn’t stipulated any minimum amount for deposits, you can start with any amount that fits your budget on CMC Markets. However, it should at least cover your trading margin requirement. Please note that the broker allows a maximum deposit of $50,000 or equivalent in a single transaction when using cards. On the other hand, no such binding applies to bank transfers. 

The company doesn’t accept third-party payments. Therefore, you must ensure the source of your funds should have the same name as printed on your ID card. All payments are processed immediately except for the bank transfers, which might take up to 1-2 business days to reach your account. 

Withdrawal Methods

The company releases funds to the original payment method. There is no minimum threshold for withdrawals at CMC Markets. However, clients can withdraw a maximum of $14,000 using credit cards or debit cards within 24 hours. The maximum withdrawal limit on Paypal transfers is $10,000 or equivalent, while clients can make unlimited withdrawals via bank transfers. There is no withdrawal fee except for $15 on international transactions. The lead time for the withdrawal process is 1-2 hours for card payments. However, bank transfers could take up to two working days to reflect in your account.  

Note: Currency conversion charges will apply to deposits and withdrawals if funds are transferred in a currency other than your account’s base currency. 

How to Withdraw Funds from CMC Markets?

Here are steps you may follow to withdraw funds from CMC Markets. 

1. Sign in to your trading dashboard using the account’s login credentials. 
2. Select the funding tab and select the payment method you used for deposits, such as Debit card, Credit Card, Paypal or Bank transfers.
3. Enter your desired amount and click confirm to proceed. 

Education

CMC Markets might be a preferable choice for newbies due to its wealth of learning materials. Whether you like to learn through video, audio, written text, or online seminars, the broker seems to be fully equipped to cater to your learning needs. Its research offering includes Insights News, a print magazine, and CMC TV. Moreover, there is an intelligence portal called ‘Opto Trading’. It features written articles and podcasts. Reuters and Morningstar, providing third-party content, also make part of the broker’s research offerings.

Similarly, the broker offers extensive educational resources to match traders of all skill levels and interests. While the wide variety of instructional articles aimed at newcomers, the forex market in-depth strategy guides add value to skilled professionals’ learning experience. The broker also features fundamental analysis to help clients see the bigger picture of their preferred markets. Clients can also watch tutorials, podcasts, and informational videos (i-e, the Artful Trader Series and the Opto Sessions series) on the company’s official Youtube channels.

CMC Markets has done quite a lot in improving its educational facility. However, we believe it could have done even better to compete with industry leaders in education if there were quizzes with progress tracking modules and centralised access to the available instructional materials.

Customer Support

The company offers multilingual customer support five days a week. Clients can reach them via telephone and email. However, the broker seems to have temporarily suspended its web chat service. Not to mention a detail-oriented FAQs section is accessible round the clock. Clients can dig into it to find quick resolutions to their queries on a run-time basis. Moreover, it also holds representation on social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube. Here are the contact number and email addresses for regional offices. 

Reviews

What Reddit Users Say About CMC Markets

Reddit is a popular social networking platform where people connect and share their experiences regarding anything. We tried seeking public opinion about signing up with CMC Markets. We found that people hold excellent views about the company. While most clients have appreciated the broker’s robust regulatory framework, a few appraised its competitive pricing structure.  

Some clients say the broker offers instant trade execution with little to no slippage issues. However, we also encountered a couple of negative reviews about the company. Those unhappy with CMC markets claimed that the broker customer support is awful. However, they didn’t speak ill about the company’s trading services either. Overall, it seems that the Reddit community fully supports the broker. 

What Quora Users Say About CMC Markets

Like Reddit, the Quora community also seems impressed with the broker’s trading services. Most members applauded the company for its user-friendly trading platforms and rich educational resources. Some clients believe that the broker’s pricing structure enticed them to sign up with the broker. A few also quote the broker’s wide range of offerings to be the driving force for people to prefer trading with CMC Markets. 

While answering a query about choosing between CMC Markets and others among the best forex brokers, a Quora member said that clients residing in the US might be unlucky to open an account with the broker since it doesn’t accept them. Otherwise, it would have been a decent choice to trade multiple financial instruments. However, he also explained that if he wouldn’t opt for the CMC Markets, that’s because of a few reasons, like the unavailability of the MT5 trading platform, lower available leverage, and comparatively higher spread charges. In short, CMC Markets seems to be in the good books of the Quora community. 

TrustPilot Users’ Reviews About CMC Markets

CMC Markets is equally famous among the masses, scoring 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Clients seem to be very happy with the overall services of the broker, including the easy-to-use trading platforms, rich product portfolio, and quick withdrawals. People have also appraised the broker for its transparent pricing structure, excellent educational resources, and efficient customer support.  

However, a few clients have also expressed displeasure about the company’s trade execution policies. According to them, the broker sometimes closes positions without intimating its clients. Conclusively, we can say that the company stands among the brokers with whom people would prefer to sign up when comparing alternatives.  

ForexPeaceArmy Users’ Reviews About CMC Markets

Unfortunately, Forexpeacearmy users don’t seem too happy with the broker. The company could only secure a rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars on the FPA. While clients have raised different concerns about the company, most revolve around withdrawal issues. According to clients, the company has a lengthy withdrawal process. Some clients also accused the company of price manipulation.  Image

While scrolling down people’s comments, we also came across a few threads where people were talking about the company’s delayed trade executions and broader spreads. In short, the broker is not on the recommended list of the FPA community.  

Is CMC Markets Safe?

Yes! It is safe to trade with CMC Markets. Here is why we believe so. First, CMC Markets has been around for over four decades. A company with safety concerns is unlikely to survive such a considerable tenure. Secondly, it’s a multi-regulated brokerage firm also listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) which adds yet another layer of assurance to its being legitimate.

Not to mention, the company holds an excellent reputation among the masses, which tells enough about the level of competency and services the company offers. The availability of features like negative balance protection, guaranteed stops, and indemnity insurance also make the company reasonably safe for trading your favourite financial instruments. 

Other Products and Services

Referral Bonus

CMC Markets offers a referral bonus of up to $250 for each referral you bring. However, you will receive a referral bonus only when your referee deposits funds into their accounts and trade a certain amount.

Outsourced Trading Technology

The broker also supports outsourced trading technology enabling partners to increase their chances of greater returns using the company’s white label or grey label programs. Interested parties can also become “introducing brokers” and receive remuneration for bringing clients to the company.

Professional Services

In addition to technological and liquidity solutions, the company offers different supplementary services to help professional clients succeed. Available services include pre-trade liquidity optimisation and post-trading cost analysis.

API Integration

Through co-located links and application programming interfaces (APIs), the company connects customers to financial markets throughout the world.

Bottom Line

CMC Markets is a reputable broker overseen by major regulatory bodies worldwide. The company offers user-friendly trading platforms and a wide range of product selections across multiple financial markets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. Clients can trade their favourite markets using the desktop or mobile trading app. The seamless signup process and flexible account types following multiple payment options make it convenient for both retail and institutional clients to start with the company. However, the company doesn’t accept clients from certain jurisdictions, such as Iran, Sudan, Japan, North Korea,  and the United States.   

Clients can fund their accounts using Debit cards, Credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. A demo account is equally beneficial for both newbies and professional clients to test their trading strategies without risking their actual funds.

Besides keeping clients’ investments in segregated bank accounts, the broker employs advanced security measures to restrict unauthorised access. Regarding trading conditions, the broker supports instant trade execution to help clients avoid slippage issues. Risk management procedures include protection against negative balance and guaranteed stop loss, though GSLs come for a premium charge. 

The broker also employs a variable spread charging policy and keeps its spread cost and commission charges pretty comparable with the industry’s average standards. Furthermore, the social trading feature enables clients to interact with other expert traders and learn from their knowledge and experiences. Rich research, educational resources, and multilingual customer support are also part of the company’s offerings. 

CMC Markets appears to be a one-stop-shop for all types of investors worldwide. However, the unavailability of Islamic accounts and the fact that it doesn’t support the MT5 trading platform could make some clients avoid signing up with it.