Trading acount

Reduce your FX costs by managing your money in up to nine currencies across the world's leading exchanges, including US dollars, euros and sterling. One free trade per month. We give you back £7.99 credit every month to buy or sell any investment.

Trading account

Invest for a better future with our award-winning everyday investing and trading account. Start today for only £9.99 a month.

Please remember, investment value can go up or down and you could get back less than you invest.

Benefits of our trading account

More opportunities

Over 40,000 UK and global stocks to choose from across 17 stock exchanges. Invest directly in shares, etfs, funds, investment trusts and more.

Cut your costs

Reduce your FX costs by managing your money in up to nine currencies across the world's leading exchanges, including US dollars, euros and sterling.

Always in control

Buy and sell investments, check your portfolio and fund your account anytime with our ios and android apps.

Stay in the know

Get the award-winning quotestream, level 2 streaming prices and real-time portfolio management for a low fixed price of £20 +VAT per month.

Get started today for only £9.99 a month.

Get the best investment choice and insight around

A fair flat fee of £9.99 a month. Our charges stay the same as your investment grows, giving you better value in the long term.

One free trade per month. We give you back £7.99 credit every month to buy or sell any investment.

Commission rates: only £7.99 for all UK and US trades. Regular investing is free.

Our fixed fee covers you for multiple accounts (add a SIPP today and pay no SIPP fee for six months. Then just £10 a month extra).

Looking for a general investment account?

The ii trading account is the ideal choice for investors looking for flexibility and uncapped investment options. It is our most flexible investment account and has the widest choice of investment options in the market, including funds, shares, investment trusts and etfs.

With our impartial expert ideas and analysis, you will have all the tools you need to be a confident investor. Plus you can access your money whenever you like and trade securely at any time, using our ios and android apps.

Get started today for only £9.99 a month.

Looking for a joint trading account?

The ii joint trading account is the ideal choice for a secure investment account with shared ownership. It offers simplified portfolio management and is easy for both parties to access. The joint trading account allows you to hold a wide range of investments, with holdings registered in both names.

Trading account:

Learning objectives:

Define and explain a trading account.

What are the benefits of preparing a trading account?

No deposit forex bonuses

Definition and explanation:

The account which is prepared to determine the gross profit or gross loss of a business concern is called trading account.

It should be noted that the result of the business determined through trading account is not true result. The true result is the net profit or the net loss which is determined through profit and loss account. The trading accounting has the following features:

It is the first stage of final accounts of a trading concern.

It is prepared on the last day of an accounting period.

Only direct revenue and direct expenses are considered in it.

Direct expenses are recorded on its debit side and direct revenue on its credit side.

All items of direct expenses and direct revenue concerning current year are taken into account but no item relating to past or next year is considered in it.

If its credit side exceeds it represents gross profit and if debit side exceeds it shows gross loss.

Purpose of preparing trading account:

The profit or loss determined by a trading account is the gross result of the business but not the net result. If so, then a question arises - what is the use of preparing a trading account? This account is necessary because of the following advantages.

Gross profit of a business is very important data, since all business expenses are met out of it. So the amount of gross profit should be adequate to meet the indirect expenses of a business concern.

The amount of net sales can be determined through this account. Gross sales can be ascertained from sales account in the ledger, but net sales cannot be so obtained. The true sales of a business is net sales - not gross sales. Net sales are determined by deducting sales returns from gross sales in trading account.

The success or failure of a business can be ascertained by comparing net sales of the current year with that of the last year. It should be noted that an increase in the amount of net sales of the current year over the last year may not be regarded as a sign of success, since sales may increase because of rise in price level.

Percentage of gross profit on net sales (gross profit ratio) can be easily determined from trading account. This percentage is very important yardstick for measuring the success or failure of a business. Compared to last year, if the rate increases, it indicates success; on the other hand if the rate decreases, it is an indication of failure.

Percentage of different items of buying expenses (direct expenses) on gross profit can be easily determined and by comparing the percentage of the current year with that of the previous year the variations can be ascertained. An analysis of variances will disclose their cause which will help in controlling the amount of expenses.

Inventory or stock turnover ratio can be determined from trading account. The success or failure of a business can be measured by this rate. Higher rate indicates a favorable sign i.E. Goods are sold soon after their purchase. On the other hand, low rate signifies deterioration, i.E. Goods are sold long after their purchase.

Method of preparation of trading account:

Trial balance is a list of all ledger accounts balances, so all the necessary information for preparation of a trading account is available from the trial balance. As gross profit or gross loss of a particular period is determined through trading account. So it's heading will be as follows:

XYZ co.
Trading account for the year ended 31.12.2005
(if accounting period ends on 31.12.2005)

From the trial balance, the balance of opening stock account, purchases account, returns inwards account and of all direct expenses are transferred on the debit side of the trading account, and the balance of the sales account, returns outwards account, and closing stock account are transferred on the credit side of the trading account. If the credit side of the trading account exceeds the debit side, the result is "gross profit", and if debit side exceeds the credit side, the result is "gross loss". The format of a trading account is shown below:

Name of business
trading account for the year ended .

If credit side exceeds the debit side	=	gross profit
if debit side exceeds the credit side	=	gross loss

Example:

The following are some ledger balances taken out from the trial balance of XYZ company on 31st december 2005.

$	$
stock on 1.12005	60,000	returns outwards	16,000
purchases	360,000	returns inwards	30,000
carriage inwards	24,000	sales	500,000
custom duty	12,000

The closing stock is valued at $10,000.

Prepare a trading account for the year ended 31st december 2005. Show the journal entries to close the above account (closing entries).

Solution :

Xyz co.
Trading account for the year ended 31.12.2005

Trading account

What is a trading account?

A trading account can be any investment account containing securities, cash or other holdings. Most commonly, trading account refers to a day trader’s primary account. These investors tend to buy and sell assets frequently, often within the same trading session, and their accounts are subject to special regulation as a result. The assets held in a trading account are separated from others that may be part of a long-term buy and hold strategy.

Trading account

Basics of trading account

A trading account can hold securities, cash and other investment vehicles just like any other brokerage account. The term can describe a wide range of accounts, including tax-deferred retirement accounts. In general, however, a trading account is distinguished from other investment accounts by the level of activity, purpose of that activity and the risk it involves. The activity in a trading account typically constitutes day trading. The financial industry regulatory authority (FINRA) defines a day trade as the purchase and sale of a security within the same day in a margin account. FINRA defines pattern day traders as investors who satisfy the following two criteria:

Traders who make at least four day trades (either buying and selling a stock or selling a stock sort and closing that short position within the same day) over a five-day week.

Traders whose day-trading activity constitutes more than 6 percent of their total activity during that same week.

Brokerage firms can also identify clients as pattern day traders based on previous business or another reasonable conclusion. These firms will allow clients to open cash or margin accounts, but day traders typically choose margin for the trading accounts. FINRA enforces special margin requirements for investors it considers to be pattern day traders.

Opening a trading account requires certain minimum personal information, including social security number and contact details. Your brokerage firm may have other requirements depending on the jurisdiction and its business details.

FINRA margin requirements for trading accounts

Maintenance requirements for pattern day trading accounts are considerably higher than those of non-pattern trading. The base requirements of all margin investors are outlined by the federal reserve board’s regulation T. FINRA includes additional maintenance requirements for day traders in rule 4210. Day traders must maintain a base equity level of $25,000 or 25 percent of securities values, whichever is higher. The trader is permitted a purchasing power of up to four times any excess over that minimum requirement. Equity held in non-trading accounts is not eligible for this calculation. A trader who fails to meet these requirements will receive a margin call from their broker and trading will be restricted if the call is not covered within five days.

Best UK trading platforms 2021

To buy shares of UK stocks like royal dutch shell (RDSA), unilever (ULVR), HSBC (HSBA), or astrazeneca (AZN), you will need an online trading platform.

Choosing the right online broker is important. Each share dealing platform charges different fees while offering various investment options, trading tools, and market research.

For our 2021 review, we spent over 100 hours assessing different UK share dealing accounts. In total, 46 individual variables were assessed to find the best online broker.

Best UK trading platforms for 2021

IG - best overall platform

Interactive brokers - best for research and professionals

Saxo markets - best online trading platform

Finecobank - excellent pricing

Hargreaves lansdown - most investment options

Interactive investor - balanced offering

DEGIRO - best for low costs

Best overall | visit site

IG is our top UK broker in 2021 thanks to its brilliant online trading platform. Rates are low, trading tools and research are excellent, and the platform is easy to use. Read full review

Best for research and professionals | visit site

Professional traders are brilliantly serviced with the trading tools, range of investments, and capabilities of interactive brokers. Meanwhile, less-experienced traders can still take advantage of the low commissions and excellent research through the web-based client portal platform. Read full review

Best online trading platform | visit site

Saxo markets offers UK residents an excellent share dealing experience by combining the brilliant saxotradergo trading platform with over 30,000 international products to trade across 36 global exchanges. The one downside of saxo markets is the pricing, which is substantially higher than most UK competitors. Read full review

Excellent pricing | visit site

Finecobank is a great share dealing option for price-conscious traders who don’t require educational materials or research reports. Finecobank charges only £2.95 for UK shares and etfs, $3.95 for US stocks and etfs, and €3.95 for european stocks and etfs. Read full review

Most investment options | visit site

Hargreaves lansdown provides a thorough selection of investment options, high-quality research (some of which is in-house), alongside an easy to use mobile app. Conversely, pricing is expensive, and charting tools and educational resources are just average. Read full review

Balanced offering | visit site

Interactive investor is a good choice for investors who desire research reports and in-house recommendations for funds. Costs struggle to remain competitive for fund traders and active share dealers. Read full review

Best for low costs | visit site

DEGIRO offers cheap stock trading on a modest trading platform, charging only £1.75 + 0.014% per trade, with a maximum charge of £5.00. Fees for trading funds are more costly. Fees aside, DEGIRO does not offer ISA or SIPP accounts and lags competitors in fundamental research and education. Read full review

Best trading platform UK rankings

Scored on 419 data points, here's our final rankings for 2021, sorted by overall rank.

Other trading platforms

Beyond the seven uk stock brokers listed above, there were five other platforms we reviewed: barclays, AJ bell youinvest, lloyds bank, etoro, and halifax. Here's our high-level takeaways for each broker.

Barclays, "barclays smart investor offers average share dealing commissions (£6 per trade) alongside a good selection of research tools and education. However, there is no dedicated mobile app for share dealing, and the trading tools offered are just average."

AJ bell youinvest (visit site), "AJ bell youinvest offers a mediocre trading platform and decent research tools, including in-house articles and videos. Ultimately, AJ bell struggles to deliver value in the UK market against brokers that offer a better platform at a lower price point."

Lloyds bank, "lloyds bank can deliver value to the passive fund trader, who places a few fund trades each year and requires little research. Outside of this customer mold, lloyds quickly becomes expensive (stock trades cost £8 - £11) and can’t provide the same trading tools or research as top UK brokers."

Etoro (visit site), "etoro is great for traders seeking zero-commission stock and ETF trades, an efficient platform, and access to copy trading. That said, there are hidden fees, education is sub-par, and etoro doesn't offer the same range of investments as traditional brokers." read full review

Halifax, "halifax offers competitive pricing for passive fund traders but quickly becomes expensive for those who trade stocks at least once a month. Halifax provides no dedicated mobile application and, overall, is average compared to industry leaders."

Winner: IG

IG is our top UK broker in 2021 thanks to its brilliant online trading platform. Rates are low, trading tools and research are excellent, and the platform is easy to use.

IG online trading platform shares watch list

Pricing: IG's share dealing rates are the cheapest of all brokers offering ISA/SIPP accounts. The commission per trade (shares) would be £8 if 0-2 trades were placed in the previous month. If three or more trades were made, the rate is only £3. IG offers free trades on U.S. Shares for traders that placed three or more trades in the previous month. The commission for U.S. Shares would be £10 if 0-2 trades were placed in the last month.

Trading platform: IG’s share dealing platform offers html5 charts, numerous technical indicators and drawing tools, and excellent usability.

Investments: IG enables investors to trade over 12,000 shares across 19 international exchanges, etfs, investment trusts, and funds. In addition to traditional share dealing accounts, SIPP and ISA accounts are also offered, which is an essential distinction over competitors such as DEGIRO, finecobank, and interactive brokers.

IG online trading platform shares watch list

Runner-up: interactive brokers

Professional traders are brilliantly serviced with the trading tools, range of investments, and capabilities of interactive brokers. Meanwhile, less-experienced traders can still take advantage of the low commissions and excellent research through the web-based client portal platform.

Interactive Brokers online trading platform shares quote

Pricing: with both tiered and fixed commission structures, interactive brokers can be one of the cheapest options available, especially for professionals, depending on trading volume and frequency. However, the casual trader must consider inactivity fees, which can be as high as USD 20 per month, for not reaching the minimum monthly commission quota.

Trading platform: trader workstation (TWS), interactive brokers’ downloadable platform, is packed with dozens of industry-leading tools professionals and institutions will appreciate. For inexperienced investors, the client portal web-based platform is straightforward and powerful enough to use as a trading platform, thanks to the fundamentals explorer tool.

Investments: while interactive brokers does not offer ISA/SIPP accounts directly to UK residents, globally, customers can trade across more than 135 international markets in 33 countries. In addition to stock trading, interactive brokers offers etfs, funds, investment trusts, warrants, options, futures, forex, bonds, and cfds.

Interactive brokers online trading platform shares quote

Which trading platform is best for beginners UK?

IG is an excellent broker for beginners, offering an easy to use trading platform and mobile app, thorough educational content for beginners, and a variety of quality research for stocks and funds. Lastly, IG's share dealing rates are the cheapest of all brokers offering ISA and SIPP accounts.

What UK stock broker offers the lowest fees?

For low cost share dealing in the UK, DEGIRO and finecobank offer the lowest fees overall. DEGIRO's fee for trading individual shares in the UK is £1.75 + 0.014% per trade, with a maximum charge of £5.00. Finecobank charges £2.95 for UK shares and etfs. Neither DEGIRO or finecobank charges any inactivity fees or imposes any minimum monthly commission requirements.

What are the best UK stock trading apps?

Saxo markets, interactive brokers, and IG all offer brilliant stock trading apps that include numerous trading tools for share dealing. Meanwhile, hargreaves lansdown offers a comprehensive, easy to use mobile app that is great for everyday share investors. Compare saxo markets vs IG vs interactive brokers vs hargreaves lansdown.

What is the best trading platform in the UK?

The saxotradergo platform from saxo markets is the best online trading platform in the UK. Saxotradergo comes loaded with trading tools and excellent usability, regardless of whether you are a beginner or seasoned trader. Like the saxotradergo web platform, the saxotradergo mobile app is also brilliant. The one downside of saxo markets is pricing, which is more expensive than most UK brokers.

When choosing a share dealing platform, first consider the investment and account options available. For example, not all UK brokers offer ISA and SIPP accounts, nor do all UK brokers support US shares trading. Next, compare the trading fees and any monthly or quarterly account fees. Finally, assess the trading platforms themselves by comparing the mobile apps, trading tools, and available market research.

How do I buy stocks online in the UK?

To buy stocks online, first, you must select a UK broker, then open and fund the account. Next, research the stocks you want to buy using the trading tools and market research provided with the online trading platform. Once you choose a stock to buy, fill out the order ticket with the number of shares you want to purchase, then place your trade. Congratulations, you now own shares of stock.

What is an ISA?

An individual savings account is a means of tax-free saving and investing. Currently, for the 2019/20 tax year, an individual can save up to a maximum of £20,000, which can be held in a stocks and shares ISA, a cash ISA, a junior ISA, an innovative finance ISA, a lifetime ISA, or in a “mix and match” combination of these.

What is a SIPP?

A self-invested personal pension (SIPP) is a tax-efficient means of saving funds for retirement in the UK. Sipps are government approved and enable individuals to make their own investment decisions. Unlike more traditional pension models where investment choice is often restricted to a limited number of funds, a SIPP offers investors the ability to self-direct their investments.

Methodology

For the 2021 stockbrokers.Com UK review we assessed, rated, and ranked twelve UK share dealing platforms. Each broker was graded on 46 different variables and, in total, over 14,000 words of research were produced. Our rigorous data validation process yields an error rate of less than .001% each year, providing site visitors with quality data they can trust. Our team.

About the author: steve miley with 25 years of experience in institutional financial markets, steve has won multiple technical analyst magazine awards, including "best independent fixed income" and "best FX research." alongside stockbrokers.Com, steve is the founder of the market chartist where he provides market research for institutional clients.

About the author: blain reinkensmeyer as head of research at stockbrokers.Com, blain reinkensmeyer has 18 years of trading experience with over 1,000 trades placed during that time. Referenced as a leading expert on the US online brokerage industry, blain has been quoted in the wall street journal, the new york times, and the chicago tribune, among others.

All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 12/24/2020 and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. The stockbrokers.Com UK staff is constantly working with its online broker representatives to obtain the latest pricing data. If you believe any data listed above is inaccurate, please contact us using the link at the bottom of this page.

Deemed authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority. The nature and extent of consumer protections may differ from those for firms based in the UK. Details of the temporary permissions regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period while seeking full authorisation, are available on the financial conduct authority’s website.

Advertiser disclosure: stockbrokers.Com helps investors across the globe by spending over 1,000 hours each year testing and researching online brokers. How do we make money? Our partners compensate us through paid advertising. While partners may pay to provide offers or be featured, e.G. Exclusive offers, they cannot pay to alter our recommendations, advice, ratings, or any other content throughout the site. Furthermore, our content and research teams do not participate in any advertising planning nor are they permitted access to advertising campaign data. Here is a list of our partners.

Disclaimer: it is our organization's primary mission to provide reviews, commentary, and analysis that are unbiased and objective. While UK.Stockbrokers.Com has data verified by industry participants, it can vary from time to time. Operating as an online business, this site may be compensated through third party advertisers. Our receipt of such compensation shall not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation by UK.Stockbrokers.Com, nor shall it bias our reviews, analysis, and opinions. Please see our general disclaimers for more information.

Saxo account

Trade, hedge and invest across 40,000
instruments from our most popular account.

Join saxo today and trade all our asset classes on
industry-leading prices, through award-winning platforms and
with expert personal service.

Why trade with saxo?

Global market access

Trade more than 40,000 instruments across forex, cfds, stocks, options, commodities, futures and bonds.

Powerful platforms

Access both our platforms, the award-winning saxotradergo and professional-grade saxotraderpro, from one account.

Industry-leading prices

Benefit from market-leading entry prices and get tighter spreads and lower commissions when you upgrade your trading tier.

Expert support

Receive best-in-class digital support as standard and unlock even better personal service with our premium trading tiers.

Our account tiers

Trade more, pay less and get better service

Minimum funding £ 500

Classic

Benefit from industry-leading entry prices

Tight entry prices

Best-in-class digital service and support

24/5 technical and account support

Priority customer support

Direct access to our trading experts, 24/5

1:1 saxostrats access

Exclusive event invitations

Minimum funding £200,000

Platinum

Receive even tighter spreads and commissions

Up to 30% lower prices

Best-in-class digital service and support

24/5 technical and account support

Priority local-language customer support

Direct access to our trading experts, 24/5

1:1 access to the saxostrats

Exclusive event invitations

Minimum funding £ 1,000,000

VIP

Get the VIP treatment with our best prices and service

Our very best prices

Best-in-class digital service and support

24/5 technical and account support

Personal relationship manager

Direct access to our trading experts, 24/5

1:1 saxostrats access

Exclusive event invitations

Open a saxo account now

How to move between tiers

When you open an account, your initial deposit will determine which account tier we place you in first. After your first 12 months trading, your tier will automatically be adjusted based on the number of rewards points you’ve earned.
To better understand how this works, visit our saxo rewards page.

Expert support

Integrated digital support

Find helpful resources in our self-service support centre or platform-integrated helpdesk.

Personal support

Get expert support for account and technical queries whenever markets are open.

Our teams operate from 16 countries, and each team member is a saxo platform specialist, fully immersed in their local market.

In-house analysts

Our team of top-tier strategists – the #saxostrats – provide daily insights, analysis and views across global markets, asset classes and tradable instruments.

Personal relationship managers

Platinum and VIP clients benefit from a personal point of contact to answer account queries and offer exclusive invitations to events and webinars. Your relationship manager can also provide a personal introduction to saxo platforms and educational content, as well as curated market news relevant to your trading and investment interests.

Exclusive VIP services

Become a VIP client to receive priority one-to-one support, a sparring mate to discuss trading strategies, and assistance placing complex orders.

VIP clients can also speak directly with our in-house analysts the saxostrats to discuss asset allocation in line with macro developments, their views on all major asset classes, and the implications of central bank policies and other market events.

Frequently asked questions

What documents should I read before applying?

What information/documents do I need when applying?

We're required to collect a national ID number (national insurance for UK taxpayers) from all clients.

If through the application process we're unable to verify your identity electronically, we may also need a picture of your proof of ID (e.G. Driver's licence) and proof of address (e.G. Utility bill).

What commissions does saxo charge?

For a comprehensive overview of our industry-leading spreads and commissions and details of additional costs, such as inactivity fees, click here.

How is my money protected?

As we’re regulated and authorised by the financial conduct authority, when you make a deposit into a saxo account, your money is guaranteed as:

It’s safeguarded in at least one segregated account

It’s protected by the financial services compensation scheme

How do I open an account?

It’s quick and easy to open a saxo account: just fill in our simple online form and submit any supporting documents such as your ID or proof of address if required.

Can I hold multiple currencies in a saxo account?

You can fund and deposit your saxo account with 18 different currencies, and open sub accounts to switch between different currencies.

What markets can I access?

Your saxo account provides access to more than 40,000 instruments across asset classes, and products including FX, cfds, etfs, stocks, bonds and more. Find out about our range of tradable markets, here.

How do I transfer stocks to saxo?

You can transfer existing stock portfolios to saxo through our award-winning platforms. Once you’ve opened your account, log into the platform, navigate to ‘my account’, and select ‘asset transfer’.

For more information, please read here.

If you didn’t find what you were after, contact us directly and we’ll be pleased to help.

Open a saxo account now

Simply fill in our application form, fund securely and access our entire product range.

Our other accounts

Professional account

Find out more about opening an elective professional account.

Corporate account

Give your firm access to the same tools and markets as retail clients.

Joint account

Create an account for yourself and a family member.

Make the most of your ISA allowance with a stocks and shares ISA.

Trust account

Apply for an an account to trade your trust funds with us.

SIPP account

Invest your SIPP funds through our award-winning platforms.

Democratising trading
and investment for
more than 25 years.

Saxo markets
40 bank street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
london
united kingdom

Support centre
for existing clients, please click here to request support via the support centre.

Have a question about our products, platforms or services? Visit the support centre to find answers for our most frequently asked questions. If you are still unable to locate an answer to your question, you will also find contact details for your local saxo office to speak with a representative.

Products & pricing

Forex

Cfds

Futures

Commodities

Forex options

Listed options

Stocks

Bonds

Etfs

Investment portfolios

Trading strategies

General charges

Platforms

Accounts & service

General

Other

Across

Cfds are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading cfds with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how cfds, or any of our other products work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. The value of your investments can go down as well as up. Losses can exceed deposits on some margin products. Professional clients can lose more than they deposit. All trading carries risk.

Trade responsibly
all trading carries risk. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of key information documents (kids) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more
additional key information documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo markets is a registered trading name of saxo capital markets ltd (‘SCML’). SCML is authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority, firm reference number 551422. Registered address: 26th floor, 40 bank street, canary wharf, london E14 5DA. Company number 7413871.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the united states, belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo markets assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

FOREX trading accounts

Choose an account type that best suits your trading style.

FOREX.Com account

Advanced trading platforms with customizable interfaces

Trade forex, equities and more, all on one account

Fast, reliable trade executions

Metatrader account

Dedicated FX trading platform

Exclusive in-platform market news and analysis

Trades execute at the best available price

DMA account

Trade on prices as low as 0.1 on all major FX pairs

Get commission discounts as low as $20/m traded

Split the spread and place orders within the top of book spreads

What information do I need when opening an account?

We will need you to provide us with your name and address to establish your identity. Typically, we can verify your identity instantly. For more information, see our account document faqs.

What markets does FOREX.Com offer?

You can trade over 80 currency pairs at FOREX.Com. View our full range of markets.

When is forex market open for trading?

You can trade forex at FOREX.Com 24 hours a day, five days a week. For details, read our forex trading times article.

Is there a charge for central clearing?

We provide central counterparty clearing through an omnibus segregated clearing account (OSCA) free of charge as standard to all clients. If you wish to open an individual segregated clearing account (ISCA), fees apply:

For an individual these charges are: £13,000 account opening fee, plus account maintenance and transaction charges

For a corporate entity these charges are: £200,000 account opening fee, plus account maintenance and transaction charges

Try a demo account

Your form is being processed.

By opening this demo account you confirm your acceptance of our demo account terms and conditions, privacy policy and disclosures.

Try a demo account

Your form is being processed.

By opening this demo account you confirm your acceptance of our demo account terms and conditions, privacy policy and disclosures.

I would like to learn about

Cfds are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading cfds with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how cfds work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

CFD and forex trading are leveraged products and your capital is at risk. They may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved by reading our full risk warning.

FOREX.Com is a trading name of GAIN capital UK limited. GAIN capital UK ltd is a company incorporated in england and wales with UK companies house number 1761813 and with its registered office at devon house, 58 st katharine’s way, london, E1W 1JP. GAIN capital UK ltd is authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority in the UK, with FCA register number 113942. GAIN capital UK ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of stonex group inc.

FOREX.Com is a trademark of GAIN capital UK ltd.

This website uses cookies to provide you with the very best experience and to know you better. By visiting our website with your browser set to allow cookies, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our privacy policy.

FOREX.Com products and services are not intended for belgium residents.

We use cookies, and by continuing to use this site or clicking "agree" you agree to their use. Full details are in our cookie policy.

HOW TO PREPARE TRADING ACCOUNT

What is trading account? Trading account is a part of final accounts prepared by a business firm which shows gross profitability of business activities during a particular period. In other words, trading account shows total sales, total purchases and all direct expenses relating to purchase and sales.

Who prepares trading account? Trading account is prepared by manufacturing companies and trading companies only because the sales and purchases of goods are done in these types of business firms only.

What are the benefits of preparation of trading account?

Trading account is a very important statement from the point of view of cost coverage of the goods in which business firm is dealing. By preparing the trading account a business firm can take the decision for continuing or discontinuing a particular product or can do some modification in any product to earn maximum profit or reduce the losses.

Sale tax authorities also need trading account to assess the correct purchases and correct sales as per the sales tax return submitted by a business firm.

Trading account helps the excise authorities to assess the excise duties of business firms.

With the help of trading account, the price of the product can be decided by the management after keeping in mind the market competition.

Note: no trading account is prepared by any service provider firm.

When a trading account is prepared? It can be prepared by a business firm on any particular date. It can be prepared on monthly basis or quarterly basis or half yearly basis or yearly basis according to its requirement. For example all the companies registered with stock exchanges furnish monthly details relating to sale, and profits. Therefore these companies have to prepare the trading account on monthly basis. But if we talk in general then it is prepared at the end of the financial year.

Contents of trading account:- A trading account shows the following details:-

Opening stock of raw material, semi-finished goods and finished goods.

Closing stock of raw material, semi-finished goods and finished goods.

Purchases of goods less purchase returns

Sales of goods less sales returns

All direct expenses which are directly related to purchases or sales or manufacturing of goods.

How a trading account is prepared? Trading account is prepared with the help of trial balance. Trading account is like a statement which is divided in two parts i.E. Income part and expenditure part.

In income part, we show the following details:-

Sales of goods less sales returns

Closing stock of goods

In expenditure part, we show the following accounts:-

Opening stock of goods

Purchases of goods less purchase returns

All direct expenses relating to purchase, sale and manufacturing of goods like cartage & freight expenses, rent for godown or factory, electricity and power expenses, wages of workers and supervisors, packing expenses etc.

Example of trading account

From the following trial balance we shall prepare trading account:-

TRIAL BALANCE OF M/S ABC ENTERPRISES AS ON 31.03.2016

Best UK trading platforms 2021

To buy shares of UK stocks like royal dutch shell (RDSA), unilever (ULVR), HSBC (HSBA), or astrazeneca (AZN), you will need an online trading platform.

Choosing the right online broker is important. Each share dealing platform charges different fees while offering various investment options, trading tools, and market research.

For our 2021 review, we spent over 100 hours assessing different UK share dealing accounts. In total, 46 individual variables were assessed to find the best online broker.

Best UK trading platforms for 2021

IG - best overall platform

Interactive brokers - best for research and professionals

Saxo markets - best online trading platform

Finecobank - excellent pricing

Hargreaves lansdown - most investment options

Interactive investor - balanced offering

DEGIRO - best for low costs

Best overall | visit site

IG is our top UK broker in 2021 thanks to its brilliant online trading platform. Rates are low, trading tools and research are excellent, and the platform is easy to use. Read full review

Best for research and professionals | visit site

Best online trading platform | visit site

Excellent pricing | visit site

Most investment options | visit site

Balanced offering | visit site

Best for low costs | visit site

Best trading platform UK rankings

Scored on 419 data points, here's our final rankings for 2021, sorted by overall rank.

Other trading platforms

Winner: IG

IG is our top UK broker in 2021 thanks to its brilliant online trading platform. Rates are low, trading tools and research are excellent, and the platform is easy to use.

Pricing: IG's share dealing rates are the cheapest of all brokers offering ISA/SIPP accounts. The commission per trade (shares) would be £8 if 0-2 trades were placed in the previous month. If three or more trades were made, the rate is only £3. IG offers free trades on U.S. Shares for traders that placed three or more trades in the previous month. The commission for U.S. Shares would be £10 if 0-2 trades were placed in the last month.

Trading platform: IG’s share dealing platform offers html5 charts, numerous technical indicators and drawing tools, and excellent usability.

Investments: IG enables investors to trade over 12,000 shares across 19 international exchanges, etfs, investment trusts, and funds. In addition to traditional share dealing accounts, SIPP and ISA accounts are also offered, which is an essential distinction over competitors such as DEGIRO, finecobank, and interactive brokers.

IG online trading platform shares watch list

Runner-up: interactive brokers

Pricing: with both tiered and fixed commission structures, interactive brokers can be one of the cheapest options available, especially for professionals, depending on trading volume and frequency. However, the casual trader must consider inactivity fees, which can be as high as USD 20 per month, for not reaching the minimum monthly commission quota.

Trading platform: trader workstation (TWS), interactive brokers’ downloadable platform, is packed with dozens of industry-leading tools professionals and institutions will appreciate. For inexperienced investors, the client portal web-based platform is straightforward and powerful enough to use as a trading platform, thanks to the fundamentals explorer tool.

Investments: while interactive brokers does not offer ISA/SIPP accounts directly to UK residents, globally, customers can trade across more than 135 international markets in 33 countries. In addition to stock trading, interactive brokers offers etfs, funds, investment trusts, warrants, options, futures, forex, bonds, and cfds.

Interactive brokers online trading platform shares quote

Which trading platform is best for beginners UK?

What UK stock broker offers the lowest fees?

What are the best UK stock trading apps?

What is the best trading platform in the UK?

How do I buy stocks online in the UK?

What is an ISA?

What is a SIPP?

Methodology

Difference between demat account and trading account

WHAT IS A TRADING ACCOUNT?

A trading account is an investment account that holds securities, cash and other holdings like any brokerage account. With a trading account, an investor can buy and sell assets as frequently as they want, that too within the same trading session. Some of the key elements that differentiates a trading account from other investment accounts are – the level of trading activity, the purpose of the activity and the risk involved in the activity. Typically, holders of a trading account are involved in day trading and are often seen exercising long-term buy and hold strategies.

For this reason, you need a special account through which you can conduct transactions. This is called the trading account. Without one, you cannot trade in the stock markets. You register for an online trading account with a stock broker or a firm. Each account comes with a unique trading ID, which is used for conducting transactions.Also, each broker offers different trading account features. Read more about features of trading by kotak securities.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMAT AND TRADING ACCOUNTS?

A trading account is used to place buy or sell orders in the stock market. The demat account is used as a bank where shares bought are deposited in, and where shares sold are taken from. Trading account with kotak securities helps you trade seamlessly in the stock market.

Example ( trading account meaning and procedure)

You have rs.100 in your wallet. You go to a shop and tell the seller that you want a packet of chips, you check the price, and finalize the transaction. Then, you take the money out of your wallet and give it to the seller. In this case, the wallet acts as the demat account, while you act as the trading account.

ONLINE TRADING ACCOUNT OPENING STEPS?

Just like the demat account, a trading account is a must for investing in the stock market. This is because to trade in the stock markets, you need to be registered with the stock exchange. Stock brokers are registered members of the exchanges. They traditionally conduct trades on your behalf.

Most often, stock broking firms have thousands of clients. It is not feasible to take physical orders from every client on time. So, to make this process seamless, it is advisable to open an online trading account. Using this trading account, you can place buy or sell orders either online or phone, which will automatically be directed to the exchange through the stock broker.

HERE’S HOW YOU OPEN A TRADING ACCOUNT:

First, select the stock broker or firm. Ensure that the broker is good and will take your orders in a timely manner. Remember, time is of utmost importance in the stock market. Even a few minutes can change the market price of the stock. For this reason, ensure that you select a good broker.

Compare brokerage rates. Every broker charges you a certain fee for processing your orders. Some may charge more, some less.

Some give discounts on the basis of the amount of trades conducted. Take all this into account before opening an account. However, remember that it is not necessary to choose a broker who charges the lowest fees. Good quality brokerage services provided often may need higher-than-average charges.

Next, get in touch with the brokerage firm or broker and enquire about the account opening procedure. Often, the firm would send a representative to your house with the account opening form and the know your client (KYC) form

Fill these two forms up. Submit along with two documents that serve as proof of your identity and address.

Your application will be verified either through an in-person check or on the phone, where you will be asked to divulge your personal details.

Once processed, you will be given your trading accounts details. Congrats, you will now be able to conduct trades in the stock market

HOW TO TRADE USING DEMAT ACCOUNT?

Step 1:

Link your trading and demat accounts. This way you won’t have to keep supplying your demat account details for every transaction.

Step 3:

The exchange will process your order. It will verify the details of the transaction, the market price, the availability of the shares in the market, and so on. It will also check the details of your demat account that is linked to your trading account. This is especially so in case of a sell order.

Step 2:

Place an order through your online trading account. This could be a market order, a limit or buy order, or an after-market order. If your brokerage allows you to place orders through the phone, then you will need to supply your trading account details.

Step 4:

Once the order is processed, the shares will be either deposited in or debited from your demat account.

CAN YOU TRANSFER SHARES USING DEMAT ACCOUNT?

Nomination:

Between dps: transfer of shares is possible between demat accounts held with different dps. You need to fill the delivery instruction slip book (DIS) and submit the same to your DP for transferring your shares from another demat account. However, you need to check whether the central depositories are same or not (CDSL or NSDL). If both of them are different, then you need an INTER-depository instruction slip (inter DIS). If they are same, then you need an INTRA depository instruction slip (intra DIS).

Do try to submit that DIS when the market is on. Then, the date of submission of DIS and date of execution of DIS would be the same. Otherwise, there may be a delay. You may also need to pay the broker some charges for the transfer.

What next?

Congrats, now you know about the requisites for trading – demat and trading accounts. Now, let’s go one step further and understand how to open a trading account. Click here.

To open a demat account with kotak securities,click here. You can also open a trading account with us. Just click here.

To open a demat account with kotak securities, click here.

You can also open a trading account with us. Just click here.

Article pages
best demat account	buy mutual fund without demat account	conclusion of demat account
convert physical shares to demat account	demat account opening charges	demat account
how to close demat account	informative report on demat account

product pages
brokerage charges	collateral amount in demat account	demat account number
documents required for demat account	how to open demat account	use of demat account
what is dematerialization account	multiple demat account in india	link your aadhar number with demat account
procedure for buying shares through a demat account	difference between dematerialisation vs. Rematerialisation	demat account and its uses
what are bonus shares?	Demat account	benefits of dematerialization

faqs pages
demat account profile	transfer shares from demat account	demat account security key
transfer shares to demat	NRI account	demat account charges

Use existing bank account

Convenience through partnerships

Kotak securities support

Investment knowledge bank

Trading tools & research reports

Account types & value added services

TIME:
customer service:- mon to fri – 9.00 AM TO 6.00 PM
call and trade:- mon to fri – 8.30 AM TO 5.30 PM

For call & trade, dial 080 4725 3255
write to us at service.Securities@kotak.Com for trading account-related queries and ks.Demat@kotak.Com for demat account-related queries

No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account.

KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, mutual fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary. Attention investors prevent unauthorized transactions in your demat / trading account --> update your mobile number/ email id with your stock broker / depository participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - issued in the interest of investors. Circular no.: NSDL/POLICY/2014/0094, NSE/INSP/27436, BSE - 20140901-21

Kindly note that as per NSE circulars nos: NSE/INVG/36333 dated november 17, 2017, NSE/INVG/37765 dated may 15.2018 and BSE circular nos: 20171117-18 dated november 17, 2017, 20180515-39 dated may 15.2018, trading in securities in which unsolicited messages are being circulated is restricted. The list of such stocks are available on the website of NSE & BSE. In case of any queries, request you to kindly get in touch with customer service on 18002099191/9292

Kotak securities ltd. Having composite licence no.CA0268 is a corporate agent of kotak mahindra life insurance company limited and kotak mahindra general insurance company limited. We have taken reasonable measures to protect security and confidentiality of the customer information.

The stock exchange, mumbai is not in any manner answerable, responsible or liable to any person or persons for any acts of omission or commission, errors, mistakes and/or violation, actual or perceived, by us or our partners, agents, associates etc., of any of the rules, regulations, bye-laws of the stock exchange, mumbai, SEBI act or any other laws in force from time to time.
The stock exchange, mumbai is not answerable, responsible or liable for any information on this website or for any services rendered by our employees, our servants, and us.

Please do not share your online trading password with anyone as this could weaken the security of your account and lead to unauthorized trades or losses. This cautionary note is as per exchange circular dated 15th may, 2020.

Note: NSDL and CDSL have mapped unique client codes (UCC) to demat accounts based on PAN, refer NSDL and CDSL circulars. Format for linking/delinking the UCC: NSDL: link | CDSL: link.

Clients are required to keep all their account related information up-to-date including details like email id, mobile number, address, bank details, demat details, income details etc. Which will help the client to timely receive any information and to avail the various facilities relating to the trading and demat account. To update the details, client may get in touch with our designated customer service desk or approach the branch for assistance.

Investor awareness regarding the revised guidelines on margin collection:-
attention investors :
1. Stock brokers can accept securities as margin from clients only by way of pledge in the depository system w.E.F. September 1, 2020.
2. Update your mobile number & email id with your stock broker/depository participant and receive OTP directly from depository on your email id and/or mobile number to create pledge.
3. Pay 20% upfront margin of the transaction value to trade in cash market segment.
4. Investors may please refer to the exchange's frequently asked questions (faqs) issued vide circular reference NSE/INSP/45191 dated july 31, 2020, notice no. 20200731-7 dated july 31, 2020 and NSE/INSP/45534 dated august 31, 2020, notice no. 20200831-45 dated august 31, 2020 and other guidelines issued from time to time in this regard.
5. Check your securities /MF/ bonds in the consolidated account statement issued by NSDL/CDSL every month.
. Issued in the interest of investors

Clients are hereby cautioned not to rely on unsolicited stock tips / investment advice circulated through bulk SMS, websites and social media platforms. Kindly exercise appropriate due diligence before dealing in the securities market.

Requirement of obtaining consent through OTP has been waived for off market transfer reason code “implementation of government / regulatory direction / orders” consent through OTP would continue to be required for all other reasons for any off-market transfers. Refer NSDL circular.

Covid-19 impact to clients:-
1. Applicable to clients on whose email id contract notes and other statements get bounced or who have opted for physical contract notes/ other statements or digital and physical contract notes/ other statements :due to the nationwide lockdown, we are unable send physical contract notes and other statements. To view them, log into www.Kotaksecurities.Com
2. Kindly update your email id with us to receive contract notes/various statements electronically to avoid any further inconvenience.
3. We are unable to issue the running account settlement payouts through cheque due to the lockdown. We request you to update your bank account details to facilitate direct transfer to your linked bank account. You may approach our designated customer service desk or your branch to know the bank details updation procedure.
4. Exchange advisory: investors are advised to exercise caution while taking investment decisions in these unpredictable times. Clients are also encouraged to keep track of the underlying physical as well as international commodity markets. Clients are advised to undertake transactions after understanding the nature of the contractual relationship into which they are entering and the extent of its exposure to risk. Clients are further advised to follow sound risk management practices and not to be carried away by unfounded rumors, tips etc.

Filling complaints on SCORES- easy & quick
a. Register on SCORES portal | b. Mandatory details for filling complaints on SCORES i. Name, PAN, address, mobile number, E-mail ID | c. Benefits: i. Effective communication ii. Speedy redressal of the grievances

so, let's see, what we have: open a trading account to invest in a wide range of shares, funds & other investment options in the UK & global markets. Open an online trading account today. At trading acount