Spread betting
Spread betting with City Index provides a tax-free* way to trade on thousands of financial markets.
- Tight spreads, zero commissions
- No tax on profits or stamp duty*
- Awarded Best Spread Betting Provider 2021 - Shares Awards
- Tight spreads, zero commissions
- No tax on profits or stamp duty*
- Awarded Best Spread Betting Provider 2021 - Shares Awards
Our key figures
*StoneX retail trading live and demo account holders globally since Q4 2020.
Why spread bet with City Index?
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Competitive, fixed spreads
Stay in control with transparent pricing and fast execution. -
Tax-efficient trading
Pay no UK capital gains tax or stamp duty*. -
Award-winning platform
Best Platform for the Active Trader 2021 – ADVFN. -
8,500+ markets
Trade on global FX, indices, shares and more.
*Spread Betting is exempt from UK stamp duty and UK Capital Gains Tax. However, tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Please seek independent advice if necessary.
*Spread Betting is exempt from UK stamp duty and UK Capital Gains Tax. However, tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Please seek independent advice if necessary.
Get access to 8,500+ spread betting markets from one account
Open a spread betting account today
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Open a spread betting account today
What is spread betting?
Spread betting is a type of derivative that allows you to trade on price movements on a wide range of financial markets including FX, indices, shares and commodities. When you spread bet, you can trade on both rising and falling prices, enabling you to take advantage of shorter-term trading opportunities as market prices fluctuate.
As you’re trading on price movements rather than owning actual assets you also do not have to pay UK Capital Gains Tax or Stamp Duty on any profits you earn*.
*Spread Betting is exempt from UK stamp duty and UK Capital Gains Tax. However, tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Please seek independent advice if necessary.

Trade wherever you are, on our fast, reliable platforms
Customisable charts
16 chart types with 80+ indicators designed to help you pinpoint your next opportunity.
Award-winning platform
Our intuitive technology is designed to suit traders of all levels.
Actionable trade ideas
Our research portal highlights trade ideas using fundamental and technical analysis.
Insightful data
Receive all the latest market news and expert commentary direct from Reuters in-app.

Spread betting FAQ
How does spread betting work?
Spread betting works by enabling you to bet on the future direction of a market. As the market moves in your chosen direction, your bet will earn a profit. If the market moves against you, your bet will earn a loss.
Say, for example, that you bet £5 per point that the FTSE 100 will rise. For every point that the FTSE goes up, your trade will make £5. For every point it falls, you’ll lose £5.
You only realise any profit or loss when you close the position. If the FTSE has moved up 100 points when you close, your profit will make you (£5 * 100 points) £500. If it has moved down 100 points, you’ll lose £500 instead.
Is spread betting good for beginners?
If you’re entirely new to the markets, then we wouldn’t recommend leaping straight into spread betting with a live account. We have lots of resources to make sure you’re fully equipped before risking any real capital: including the City Index Academy and a free trading demo.
What does the spread mean in trading?
In trading, the spread is the difference between the buy and sell prices quoted on a market. For instance, if the DAX has a buy price of 15,904 and a sell price of 15,900, then it has a four-point spread.
On spread betting markets, the spread also contains the cost to open and close positions. Instead of paying commission when you trade, your costs are covered by the spread.
If you have more questions visit the FAQ section or start a chat with our support.