Trading The FTSE
UK stock traders of all experience levels should have a good understanding of the FTSE. Knowledge about how the FTSE index works will help inform decisions about which shares to buy and whether to invest in tracker funds. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to start trading the FTSE. Our report also includes a brief history lesson, a breakdown of the different indexes and their purposes, plus trading preparation tips.
Best FTSE Brokers In The UK
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Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB now serves more than 1 million clients. The forex and CFD broker combines a heavily regulated trading environment with an extensive selection of 6400+ assets and a commitment to trader satisfaction, featuring an intuitive in-house platform with superb tools to support aspiring traders.
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Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a respected broker listed on the London Stock Exchange and authorized by several tier-one regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO. More than 1 million traders from around the world have signed up with the multi-award winning brokerage.
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FXCC is an established broker that’s been offering low-cost online trading since 2010. Registered in Nevis and regulated by the CySEC, it stands out for its ECN trading conditions, no minimum deposit and smooth account opening that takes less than 5 minutes.
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Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for traders at all levels.
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XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been known for its low fees on 1000+ instruments. XM is regulated by multiple financial bodies, including the ASIC and CySEC.
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Eightcap is an award-winning, FCA-regulated broker offering industry-low trading fees. They are also the highest-rated brand by TradingView’s 50 million-strong users, who can trade directly on the platform. UK traders can sign up for a live account with an accessible £100 minimum deposit.
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RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
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eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 51% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
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Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
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InstaForex is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2007. The broker offers diverse market coverage to millions of clients, spanning traditional assets like currencies and shares, as well as other interesting opportunities such as IPOs.
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Interactive Investor are a hugely respected, FCA-regulated investing firm. The trading platform is easy-to-use while the sign-up and deposit process is straightforward for new investors. ii also has a long track record and a string of industry awards under its belt.
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OANDA is an award-winning global broker, established in 1996. The hugely respected brand offers competitive trading accounts and serves clients from 196 countries. It remains a popular option with both beginners and experienced traders thanks to its user-friendly and sophisticated web platform, no minimum deposit and premium currency products and services. The company is also overseen by reputable regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO.
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Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Australia. The firm offers low-cost fixed and variable spreads on 1000+ assets with robust trading platforms and training materials. The Signal Centre can also be used for trade ideas.
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BlackBull is a New Zealand-based CFD broker with trading opportunities on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms as well as TradingView, cTrader and a proprietary mobile app. Clients can trade with high leverage and tight spreads from 0 pips on the broker's ECN accounts.
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Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.
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Founded in 2006, FxPro is an established forex, CFD and spread betting broker offering 2100+ assets to over 2 million clients worldwide. The broker is regulated in 4 jurisdictions and offers reliable 24/5 customer support, earning it a high trust and safety score. FxPro has also picked up more than 100 industry accolades for its competitive trading conditions, including fast execution and deep liquidity.
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Established in 2008 and headquartered in Israel, Plus500 is a prominent brokerage that boasts over 25 million registered traders in over 50 countries. Specializing in CFD trading, the company offers an intuitive, proprietary platform and mobile app. It maintains competitive spreads and does not charge commissions or deposit or withdrawal fees. Plus500 also continues to shine as one of the most trusted brokers with licenses from reputable regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CySEC.
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Fusion Markets is an online broker established in 2017 and regulated by the ASIC, VFSC and FSA. It is best known for its low-cost forex and CFD trading, although its multiple account types and copy trading solutions cater to a range of traders. New clients can sign up and start trading in 3 easy steps.
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Established in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering high/low contracts on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the platform continues to prove popular with budding traders.
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GO Markets is an established forex and CFD broker with multiple industry awards and accolades. The ECN/STP broker is popular with budding traders, offering competitive accounts in multiple base currencies and a range of flexible payment methods. With top-tier regulation from CySEC and ASIC, GO Markets is a trusted broker.
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Admirals is a multi-regulated broker with an excellent range of leveraged instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, cryptos and more. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingCentral platforms. With both spread betting and CFDs available and thousands of instruments, this broker provides more flexibility than most rivals.
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Axi is a global forex and CFD trading firm, founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Highly leveraged trading opportunities plus a $0 minimum deposit make it a popular choice among 60,000+ traders worldwide. Axi also stands out for its resources, including copy trading and Autochartist.
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EagleFX is a forex and CFD broker, established in 2019. The broker uses STP execution on the MT4 platform, offering tight spreads and low commissions. With leverage up to 1:500 and no restrictions on hedging or scalping, EagleFX is an attractive option for short-term traders.
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Founded in 2015, VT Markets maintains its position as a top Australian multi-asset CFD broker. With 1000+ tradeable instruments and support for the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, this broker delivers a wide range of trading opportunities to over 200,000 clients worldwide. VT Markets is regulated by the ASIC, FSCA, and FSC.
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PrimeXBT is a multi-asset platform offering highly leveraged trading in forex, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The company launched in 2018 and now has over 1 million users from more than 150 countries. With no minimum deposit, copy trading features and low commissions, the broker remains a popular option among crypto trading novices.
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FXTrading.com is global broker offering highly leveraged CFDs on 10,000+ assets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Competitive prices with raw spreads and low to zero commissions are available. Traders can use the popular MetaTrader 4 platform and will have access to a suite of additional analytical tools and other resources. The multi-regulated brokerage is authorized by the ASIC and VFSC.
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M4Markets is an award-winning broker regulated by the CySEC, FSA and DFSA. Although relatively new, the broker continues to improve its offering with a range of innovative tools, platforms and accounts. Beginners can start with just $5, whilst experienced investors can access leverage up to 1:5000.
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Founded in 2010, ThinkMarkets is a reputable CFD and forex broker with regulation from several top-tier bodies including the FCA and ASIC. The broker provides services to over 450,000 accounts from 11 global offices. Traders can use a bespoke platform, MT4 or MT5 to access a wide variety of assets including 3500+ stocks and ETFs, 46 forex pairs and over 20 cryptocurrencies.
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Trade.com is a trustworthy online broker with a global presence. The broker offers 2,100+ CFDs in major markets, as well as futures, options and more. The broker offers best-in-class platforms and superior analysis tools for experienced traders. The broker is also regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA and CySEC.
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Grand Capital is a MetaTrader broker with welcome bonuses, trading competitions and an intuitive copy trading service. Several account types and 400+ assets provide trading opportunities for various types of investors and strategies. New users can also open an account and start trading in a matter of minutes.
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IronFX is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker founded in 2010. This award-winning firm offers 500+ markets to over 1.5 million clients across 180 countries. Traders can access various account types with competitive pricing on the MT4 platform, as well as 24/5 customer support in 30 languages.
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Ingot Brokers is a multi-regulated brokerage established in 2006. The broker offers CFD trading opportunities on 1000+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms and offers both raw spreads and commission-free account options.
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FinPros is an offshore broker that provides CFD trading on 400+ instruments with high leverage up to 1:500. This is a reliable bet for traders seeking offshore options, with strong security measures, negative balance protection and segregated client funds. The extra features including trading tools and commission-free stocks make this a good choice for beginners, and experienced traders will appreciate tight spreads.
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Scope Markets offers trading and investing in multiple spot and CFD instruments. The group of brokers is regulated in several locations, including Belize, Kenya and South Africa. Users get competitive trading conditions, a range of payment methods, strong support and can get started in a few straightforward steps.
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Dukascopy is an online broker operated by a Swiss-regulated banking group. It offers a good selection of 500+ markets, with forex, stocks, gold, ETFs, indices, bonds and cryptocurrencies available. It also offers flexible trading opportunities through the choice of CFDs or binary options. Traders will use MetaTrader 4 or a proprietary platform that is well-suited to automated trading.
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AZAforex is a multi-asset broker founded in 2016. The brand offers a sophisticated proprietary platform, ECN trading and 40+ deposit methods. The brokerage has 120,000+ registered customers with copy trading and a VPS.
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Launched in 2017, Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.
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xChief is a foreign exchange and CFD broker, established in 2014. The company is based offshore and registered with the VFSC and FMA. Users can choose between a wide selection of accounts and base currencies, making ForexChief accessible to global traders. The brand also stands out for its no deposit bonus and fee rebates for high-volume traders.
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GoFX is an unregulated CFD and forex broker that covers instruments from currency, stock, index, commodity and crypto markets. Traders can sign up to a variety of account types with deposits as low as $1 and will trade using the popular MetaTrader 4 platform. Exceptionally high leverage up to 1:3000 is offered on the standard account, while traders with the low-spread account can access leverage up to 1:1000.
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OspreyFX is an ECN broker headquartered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Established in 2019, the firm offers 120+ forex and CFD assets with high leverage up to 1:500, tight spreads from 0.1 pips and round-the-clock customer support. OspreyFX also stands out for its funded trading accounts where traders can keep up to 70% of profits.
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Errante is a Cyprus-based and regulated forex and CFD broker with leveraged trading on multiple assets, tiered accounts including a zero-spread option, and copy trading support. The broker offers leveraged trading up to 1:30 under its CySEC-regulated branch and 1:500 from an offshore branch, and supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Errante's asset list is relatively limited but it does offer fast execution and low latency, and it is a trustworthy brand.
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Coinexx is an unregulated broker that provides leverage up to 1:500 on forex, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies with deep liquidity, pure ECN spreads and negative balance protection. The broker uses crypto as base currencies and has low minimum deposit requirements of 0.001 BTC.
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LonghornFX is a forex and CFD broker offering over 150 instruments with leverage up to 1:500. The firm is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and was launched in 2020. Clients can access a strong selection of cryptos, alongside forex, indices, commodities and stocks. With ECN/STP processing, this offshore broker promises tight spreads and fast execution.
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Baxia Markets is an offshore CFD broker that offers trading on forex, commodities and indices with tight spreads on a straight-through processing model with ultra-low latency. Trade on MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 with leverage up to 1:500 and no restrictions to scalping or hedging strategies. Users also benefit from third-party copy trading services.
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TMGM is an ASIC-regulated forex and CFD broker with a vast range of tradeable assets covering forex, stock, index, crypto and commodity markets. The account types on offer provide a flexible choice between no commission or zero spreads, with competitive pricing all-round.
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Anzo Capital is an offshore broker that offers leveraged CFDs on 100+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices and metals. The MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms are supported, and traders can choose between an STP account with spreads starting from 1.4 pips and zero commission, or an ECN account with a $4 round-turn commission and spreads from zero. A decent range of payment methods are accepted, including crypto deposits.
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AdroFx is an offshore ECN/STP broker that has offered CFD trading since 2018. The firm supports 100+ tradable assets on the popular MetaTrader 4 platform as well as a web trader, Allpips. Eight live accounts are available with no restrictions on trading strategies.
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Global Prime is a multi-regulated trading broker offering 150+ markets. Traders can get started with a $200 minimum deposit and trade with leverage up to 1:100. The firm also has a high trust score and a good reputation with a license from the ASIC.
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ActivTrades is a UK-headquartered CFD and forex broker established in 2001. The brokerage is heavily regulated with licenses from the FCA, SCB, CSSF, BACEN & CVM and CMVM. Over 1000 CFDs are available spanning 7 asset classes. Over 93.60% of orders are executed at the requested price. ActivTraders also offers a selection of leading trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, TradingView and ActivTrader platforms.
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Swissquote is a Switzerland-based bank and broker that offers online trading and investing. The company has a high safety score and is listed on the Swiss stock exchange. The firm offers a huge range of products, from stocks, ETFs, bonds and futures to 400+ forex and CFD assets. Hundreds of thousands of traders have opened an account with the multi-regulated brokerage. Clients can get started in three easy steps while 24/7 customer support is available to assist new users.
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SimpleFX is an online broker specializing in CFD and cryptocurrency trading, with multi-currency accounts, STP execution, low pricing and no minimum deposit. Bringing innovation and gaining recognition at numerous industry events since 2014, SimpleFX now caters to retail traders from over 190 countries, boasting a client base exceeding 200,000 active users.
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Fortrade is a multi-asset, multi-regulated broker with branches regulated by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC among others. The brand offers trading opportunities on a wide range of instruments including stocks, bonds, commodities, forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs, with competitive fees and support for MetaTrader 4 and a proprietary platform.
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Established in 2005 in Australia, FP Markets is an ASIC- and CySEC-regulated broker boasting an extensive suite of tradable assets. Its Standard and Raw accounts cater to traders at every level, while it packs a punch in the tooling department, from the MetaTrader suite and intuitive TradingView to actionable trading ideas from Trading Central and AutoChartist.
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FXOpen is a multi-asset broker with regulation from several trustworthy bodies including the UK's FCA. The broker offers CFD trading on forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs via the MetaTrader 4 & 5 and TradingView platforms.
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Infinox is a UK-based and FCA-regulated broker that offers diverse trading products thanks to its STP and ECN account types and support for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and a proprietary platform. Clients can also benefit from a free VPS that can support automated strategies and a social trading platform, catering to both beginner and seasoned traders.
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Hantec Markets was established in Hong Kong in 1990. Initially, the company concentrated solely on the Chinese and Taiwanese markets. In 2008, the broker rebranded and expanded its presence in the UK, Australia, Japan, and various other countries, before enhancing its footprint in Latin America in 2022. Hantec now stands as a multinational brokerage with 18 offices across Europe and Asia.
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Amega is an offshore STP broker offering CFD trading fon forex, stocks, indices and commodities with very high leverage up to 1:1000 and a zero-commission pricing structure. Traders access markets through the MT5 platform and can test the broker's services through a demo account.
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BinaryCent is an unregulated binary options broker that offers 24/7 trading on forex, cryptos and stocks with payouts up to 95%. Despite its lack of regulation, this broker takes client security seriously and stores client funds in European banks. The broker also offers CFDs with very high leverage up to 1:500.
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FXPrimus is an award-winning CySEC-regulated brokerage offering CFD trading on 200+ instruments via the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader platforms. The choice between a competitive commission-free account and two affordable raw spread options make this an accessible broker for anyone seeking forex, stocks, indices and commodities with high leverage.
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RaceOption is a binary options broker operating from the Marshall Islands. With over 1,500 clients, the broker aims to offer fast funding, low fees and a secure trading environment. Traders can access over 100 binary options and CFDs, plus copy trading and weekly prizes.
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FXCentrum is an offshore broker that offers highly leveraged, commission-free trading on diverse instruments with tight spreads. Traders can access forex, equity and commodities markets via MetaTrader 5 or the proprietary FXC platform and use the award-winning ZuluTrade platform for copy trading.
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Exinity provides flexible low-cost trading in FX, commodities, indices and equities alongside unique education and support provided by teams located across the world. Now operating in the Middle East, through regulation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi and the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, Exinity provides a range of services to traders and investors looking for new opportunities in the financial markets.
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FXTM is a top-rated forex and CFD broker established in 2011 and operating across 4 continents. The company is secure and regulated by leading authorities, including the FCA and CySEC. Offering 1000+ trading markets and three account types, they cater to all levels of trader.
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Capital.com offer CFDs on a range of markets with competitive spreads and zero commissions. The broker also offers the Investmate app, negative balance protection and leveraged trading.
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Trading 212 is a European and UK-regulated CFD broker that also offers stock investing and ISAs. It’s best known for its commission-free trading model and beginner-friendly app, which has helped it attract 2.5 million users and £3.5 billion in client assets.
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LegacyFX is a multi-asset broker offering an MT5 download & free signals.
The FTSE Explained
The FTSE (pronounced ‘footsie’) is the main UK stock exchange consisting of 600+ companies across 50 countries. It’s the largest exchange in Europe and operates as a key reference point for other global markets. Each index, detailed further below, ranks the top publicly traded companies registered in the UK by market capitalisation.
Our timeline highlights critical moments in its history:
- 1973 – Regional exchanges merge to become the Stock Exchange of Great Britain and Ireland, later renamed as the LSE, which stands for London Stock Exchange
- 1984 – FTSE 100 is launched with a market value of £160 billion and an index level of 1,000
- 1987 – On 20th October the market falls 12.22% in one day. This largest one-day percentage drop in the FTSE’s history is known as ‘Black Monday’
- 1992 – FTSE 250 is launched with a market value of £98 billion
- 1999 – The FTSE’s highest point of the 20th century is reached on 31st December owing to the dot-com boom
- 2009 – On the 5th March, the FTSE falls to the lowest value since opening at 3,529.86 and closed at a high of 3,530.73
- 2017 – On the 29th December, the FTSE reached the highest-ever closing and a record all-time high intra-value at 7,687.77 and 7,697.62 respectively
FTSE Indexes
- FTSE 100 – The FTSE 100 is a leading global index and its stocks and shares are the most popular to buy. It is composed of the top 100 companies in the UK, ranked by market cap. The top 50 FTSE constituents come from many different sectors, for example, leading energy and oil companies like BP and mining companies like Glencore. There are several property businesses and banks in the top 100 list also.
- FTSE 250 – This index comprises the next largest 250 companies. FTSE 250 companies tend to trade less internationally and therefore the index’s performance is a better reflection of the UK economy.
- FTSE 350 – The FTSE 350 is a weighted index of the companies included in the FTSE 100 and 250. It, therefore, includes a list of the top 350 companies in the UK on the London Stock Exchange.
- FTSE Small Cap – This index is a collection of small-cap companies ranking from 351st to 619th on the LSE sorted by market cap.
- FTSE Aim All-Share – A weighted index with approximately 600 constituents out of 2,000 LSE listed companies. It is managed by FTSE Russel a subsidiary of the LSE. The FTSE Aim All-Share index tends to track closely to the FTSE 100 and often follows similar chart trends.
FTSE Russell also provides other indices, which are split by region and sector. A fact sheet for each can be found on their website.
To be listed by the FTSE Group, companies must adhere to specific conditions. These include having a full London Stock Exchange listing and providing proof of nationality, liquidity, and free-floating status.
Key Components Of FTSE Indexes
Weighting
All companies are weighted by market capitalisation in each index. Companies with a large market cap will influence the index more significantly than smaller companies. Market cap is calculated by the number of tradable shares multiplied by the share price.
To calculate the number of tradable shares, the total number of shares is multiplied by the free float adjustment factor. The free float adjustment factor is the percentage of tradable shares as a proportion of total shares (rounded to the nearest 5%). Any restricted stock such as shares held by employees is excluded.
Changes
FTSE Russell carry out a quarterly review of the list of companies in each FTSE index and their market cap ranking. The review dates are the Wednesday after the first Friday of each quarter. Each company’s valuation is based on the close market cap value of the night before the review. Based on this valuation, all companies are listed in league tables. The biggest market cap risers will be promoted, and the greatest fallers will be relegated.
Only companies in the top 90 can be promoted and any company lower than 111th will be relegated. It can therefore be expected that the top FTSE 250 risers will be included in the FTSE 100 the following quarter, similarly, the top FTSE 100 fallers may be included in the FTSE 250 index. All FTSE index changes are made by independent market experts.
There are many reasons why a FTSE 100 company’s value may change, often reflected in a change in share price. The most common reasons are mergers and acquisitions, responses to news stories, and consumer trends.
Purpose Of The FTSE
The FTSE 100 is most widely used as a UK stock market indicator. Despite this, many of the companies in the top 100 list are internationally focused meaning the index’s price, chart and forecast may not truly reflect the UK’s economic performance. It is impacted by international events, for example, falling 5.7% after the 9/11 attacks in New York.
The FTSE 250, 350, and All Share act in a similar fashion but may be less affected by international events due to increased domestic trade.
Many traders try to capitalise on FTSE index price movements by anticipating changes in market sentiment. This can be achieved by using a tracker. The index can be either ‘up’ or ‘down’. When there are more buyers than sellers the index is up, while when the reverse occurs, the index is down. These movements occur in real-time with live charts refreshing every 15 seconds during market hours.
The market opens at 08:00 and the close time is 16:30. The close value is taken at 16.35. (All times in UK Local time – GMT in winter, BST in summer)
How To Start FTSE Trading
Nowadays, many FTSE 100 investors are using day trading strategies to make money. Earnings can also be made by developing a system that focuses on the FTSE over a longer period. Regardless of your preferred method of trading, be sure to review our top tips for FTSE trading:
1. Select A Broker
A broker is a trader’s main route to market. Therefore, it is important to make the right choice. The key things to consider are:
- Trading platform – Platforms available vary by broker, some are more comprehensive than others. Traders must understand the platform they are using and get the most out of the tools available for technical analysis. Some platforms offer multi-screen displays where traders can analyse different indexes, for example, comparing a FTSE All-Share Index chart vs a live FTSE 100 or 250 chart.
- Fees applicable – There are fees applicable when trading, including commissions, deposit and withdrawal fees, plus transaction fees. When trading in high volumes these fees can add up and erode profits.
- Customer service – Trading can be confusing and having strong customer service support is important, especially if something goes wrong. Most brokers now offer a range of customer options during trading hours, from live chatbots to email and telephone.
- Additional features – The best brokers offer additional tools to improve the trading experience. Whilst this is not essential for FTSE trading, features such as a forum, live market news, and daily chart update notifications are a bonus.
- Compare brokers – Reviews are a great source of information when choosing a broker in a competitive market. Reviews can provide clear and concise details which might not be transparent on the broker’s website. For broker recommendations, review our broker list.
2. Fund Your Account
Before you can start trading the FTSE you will need to fund your new account. Over time, brokers have increased the number of payment options, some now accept Bitcoin payments, for example. Make sure you have enough funds in your account to execute trades, not forgetting fees.
3. Choose Your Asset
All FTSE shares have different characteristics, with over 2,000 to choose from it would be impossible to have an understanding of them all. Despite this, all FTSE stocks share two common qualities: volume and volatility.
Volume
Volume is the number of shares being traded at a specific time. If a FTSE chart increases by 100 transactions today and decreases by 50 tomorrow, the total volume over the 2 days would be 50. The size of a market move is relative to the current trading volume. As a result, volume can be used as a quality factor to measure the size of a move. For example, a transaction of 1,000 FTSE 100 shares may not show a spike on a live chart due to the number of shares in that period, but a transaction of the same size for a FTSE Small Cap company may have a bigger impact.
Making use of a stock screener is essential, here traders will be able to pick stocks that align with their methodology by comparing volume, price, and other important factors. Popular stock screeners include Yahoo Finance, TradingView, or MarketWatch. Alternatively, most FTSE brokers offer a regular report on the top 10 stocks being traded as well as the biggest FTSE 100, 250 and 350 risers and fallers.
Volatility
Volatility is the rate of risk and a measure of unpredictability that a share price can experience over a period. If the price fluctuates in large swings it is considered to be highly volatile, while if the price does not fluctuate, it is considered to be stable. A trader’s appetite for volatility in the FTSE will inform their trading strategy, for example, a day trader would welcome volatile price movements whereas a position trader may wish for steady and stable movements over a longer period.
Traders may wish to use the beta value of a stock which indicates how volatile or risky a stock is compared to the market. The market beta is 1, any company with a beta above 1 is more volatile than the market and anything below is less volatile than the market.
Traders with a good grasp of trading volumes and volatility will have a solid foundation to start trading. However, before you do enter the market ensure you read our preparation guide below.
FTSE Trading Preparation
There are winners and losers in all financial markets trading. To give yourself the best chance at returning profit it is essential to prepare properly.
Wake Up Early
Starting your day right is key. The FTSE opening time is 08:00 GMT so be sure to give yourself enough time in the morning to wake up properly, grab a coffee, and check for overnight updates.
Read The News
All FTSE indexes are sensitive to news stories, whether that be financial market news (for example on Bloomberg News) or otherwise. News of new entrants or listings may also influence price movements.
The FTSE 100 will be impacted by major world events whereas the FTSE 250 and 350 may be more impacted by domestic issues. Make sure you’ve read the latest stories and thought about how this might affect your live FTSE trades. This may also allow you to set up a move as soon as the market opens off the back of that news.
A good example of this is the impact of Brexit on the FTSE value. The result of the Brexit vote was known on the night of the 23rd June 2016. When the market opened on 24th June the FTSE fell from 6,338.10 to 6,138.69. Well-prepared traders would have opened short positions on the FTSE to capitalise on this update.
Analyse Market Data
There are many different trading strategies that you can implement, some are FTSE specific and others can be adapted to other asset types like indices, futures, and options. Many traders investing in FTSE 100 or 250 companies use historical data or values to make future price predictions. This combined with chart, growth, and trend analysis can form the foundations of a good trading strategy.
Of course, there is no guarantee that the stock price rise last week will forecast gains the next week. A famous quote known in the investing world explained: “Past performance is no guarantee of future results”.
Set Up Your Charts
As discussed above, using charts are a key aspect of FTSE trading. Most platforms offer several customisable charts. This includes short-term charts such as 1 and 5-minute charts or charts which focus on the long-term. A FTSE chart with a longer time frame will provide an overview of market sentiment and a high-level summary of how a share is currently trending.
Traders may wish to implement specific trading strategies by drawing support and a resistance line on the graph. This will allow traders to judge at what price they want to enter or exit the market.
Alternatively, some platforms will offer automated FTSE trading which lowers the level of attention needed. A good example of this is a FTSE 100 day trading robot.
Start Trading
Once you have your charts set up and are comfortable with your strategy, you are ready to trade. Depending on your investing strategy, you should be able to identify when the market confirms your predictions. If you are day trading the FTSE, there may only be seconds between entering at a desired live price and missing the right rate, so you need to be ready. Longer-term investors like position traders may have to be patient for their share to hit the execute price. Regardless of your trading strategy, all investing should have an element of risk management.
Additional Tips
In addition to the steps above, FTSE traders can also do the following to capitalise on gainers and fallers:
- Use FTSE forums and chat rooms to share trading ideas of future movers
- Traders can order ebooks or download to PDF to increase knowledge of the financial markets
- Watch online trading videos or enroll in courses. There are lots of FTSE educational materials that help traders cover topics such as how to read an index graph and how to review a dividend yield calculation to make a move.
Final Word On FTSE Trading
The outlook for the FTSE is hopeful. In the last 12 months, global financial markets have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, however, there is an expectation that the FTSE and other indexes will soon return to similar levels. The FTSE rankings will continue to change and there remains a good opportunity for traders to realise profits by following our guidance and making use of trading strategies and resources.
FAQ
What Are The Best Brokers To Trade The FTSE With?
There are many important qualities to consider when choosing a broker which have been listed above. More experienced traders may want a broker who offers a choice of platforms or additional features whereas beginners may want simplicity. Check out our list of broker recommendations here.
The UK FTSE, What Is It?
The FTSE is a collection of indexes that are made up of the top 600 companies (by market cap) traded on the London Stock Exchange. The main FTSE index is the FTSE 100 which includes the biggest 100 companies.
What Companies Are In The FTSE 100?
The top 100 companies on the LSE come from different sectors. The biggest players in the index typically include Shell, HSBC, British American Tobacco, and BP. These 4 companies account for more market capitalisation than the remaining 96.
How Do Companies Move From The FTSE 250 To The FTSE 100?
All companies are ranked by market cap every quarter. Companies are put into league tables and those in the top 90 will be promoted while those below 111th will be relegated.
Where Can I find The Biggest FTSE Risers And Fallers?
Brokers often provide a list of the biggest risers and fallers with relevant volume, volatility, and price data. Traders should also make use of stock screeners to compare different FTSE shares to trade.