Trading US stocks and indices

US Stock trading

If you look at the top 10 largest companies by market capitalisation it regularly included US stocks like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Facebook, Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway. The US also holds the two largest exchanges by market capitalisation. Listed on these exchanges are worldwide famous brands like McDonalds, Nike, Netflix, Coca-Cola, PayPal, and Visa. This means people all around the world are aware of these companies and want exposure to them.  

US Indices trading

Another way to gain exposure to the US markets is via indices. An index is a grouping of financial assets that are used to give a performance indicator of a particular sector. The plural term is indices. There are three major US indices to trade.

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• DJIA (Wall Street) – measures the value of the 30 largest blue-chip stocks in the US

• NASDAQ 100 (US Tech 100) – reports the market value of the 100 largest non-financial companies in the US

• S&P 500 (US 500) – tracks the value of 500 large cap companies in the US

Other trading considerations with US stocks and indices

Time

The US markets are normally open from 2.30pm to 9pm UK time. (9.30am to 4pm Eastern time).

We however provide access on over 70 key US stocks in the pre and post market, outside of normal trading hours. CFDs and Spread bets on All Session US shares are available from 9am to 1am Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 10pm Friday (UK time).

W-8BEN

As per regulatory requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a W-8BEN form is a mandatory form to complete to be able to trade US shares. Provided you aren’t a US taxpayer, this allows us to ensure you receive reduced withholding tax rates on dividends. The required form and steps differ for each account type and citizenship.

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Currency consideration

You must remember US stocks are quotes in dollars and cents, not pounds and pence. This means you are holding assets in US dollars which create foreign exchange risk.  It occurs, as you are holding a position in dollars and the dollar falls against the pound then the value of your position will fall. It will also work the opposite way.  

Tools and help for your US trading

We are able to offer a comprehensive suite of tools to support your trading.

Team of experts

Our team are highly qualified and ready to assist with any query big or small.

Academy

Online and interactive, designed to enhance your understanding of trading.

Risk management tools

Negative balance protection means you can never lose more than is in your account. You can also limit losses with free to place guaranteed stop losses.

Suite of research reports

Including: Market daily report, Upgrades and downgrades and the week ahead.

Easy to reach

This is a premium service. We don’t have call centres. You will have a direct line and email to your team and your relationship manager.

Community

Share ideas and communicate with likeminded trader’s.

Breaking news service

Crucial for taking advantage of event driven news, delivered by telephone or emailed to your inbox.

Platform benefits

Buy and sell signals, trade ideas and Reuters news are just some of the platform's features that you will benefit from.

Demo account

Practice with no risk on your permanent demo platform.

Best execution

We have a policy and commitment to providing best execution to ensure you receive the best price possible when you trade.

Award-winning

Guardian Stockbroker reviews

Paul Daniel

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​Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

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I could not more highly recommend Guardian Stockbrokers, everyone has been brilliant. The attentiveness, training and technical detail provided, has enabled a fast track learning and an ability to manage the portfolio in a way that would far exceed my own capabilities. It is almost as though they own the positions themselves; via their due-diligence and proactive manner of continuous monitoring. Above and Beyond.

Darren Lewis

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​Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness

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Professional and proactive I’m really happy that they were recommended to me.
I would recommend Guardian Stockbrokers.

Tabrez Ahmad

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​I've known Guardian Stockbrokers since their inception.

When dealing with trading, you want to work with people that are professional, personable and trustworthy.

Guardian Stockbrokers are all of the above.

I'd recommend them any day!