
CMC Markets has a transparent commission structure that's easy to understand. The company offers a range of commission rates depending on the type of account and trading instrument.
One of the key benefits of trading with CMC Markets is the low commission rates on shares, with a commission of just 0.01% per trade. This makes it an attractive option for traders who want to minimize their costs.
The commission structure also includes a flat fee of £12 per trade for options and a flat fee of £12 per trade for contracts for difference.
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Share Trading Fees
Share trading fees can seem complex, but understanding the basics can help you navigate the process.
The commission for US shares is a flat 2 US cents per share, with a minimum charge of $10. This means that even if the calculation shows a lower commission, the minimum charge of $10 will still be applied.
For non-US shares, the commission is calculated as a percentage charge of the order value. In the UK, for example, the commission is 0.08% of the order value, with a minimum charge of £9.00. Similarly, in Australia, the commission is also 0.09% of the order value, with a minimum charge of AUD 7.00.
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Here's a breakdown of the commission charges for various countries:
In addition to the standard commission charges, some countries have specific rules for certain types of trades. For example, in Australia, the first buy under $1,000 in an ASX listed product is free, while all other buy orders and sell orders incur a commission of either $11.00 or 0.10%, whichever is greater.
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Share Charges
Share charges can be a bit confusing, but let's break it down. For non-US and non-CA shares, the commission is calculated as a percentage charge of the value of the order.
The percentage charge varies by country, with most countries having a 0.10% charge, but some countries like Hong Kong and Poland have a 0.18% charge. You can see the exact percentage charge for each country in the table below.
In contrast, US and CA shares are charged at 2 cents per share, as seen in the example of a 600 unit trade in Caterpillar. This means that for US and CA shares, the commission is calculated based on the number of shares traded, rather than the value of the order.
For example, a 300 unit trade in Caterpillar would incur a minimum commission charge of $10.00, even though the calculation would be $6.00. This is because the minimum commission charge is applied in these cases.
Trade More, Pay Less
You don't have to break the bank to trade more. CMC Invest offers 5 free SG trades and 10 free US, UK, HK, and CA trades per month on the 'Invest' tier.
One of the biggest expenses for investors is commission fees, but CMC Invest keeps its fees minimal after your free trades.
Platform fees, commission fees, currency conversion fees, maintenance and inactivity fees, and deposit and withdrawal fees can all add up. Fortunately, CMC Invest has zero platform, maintenance, inactivity, deposit, or withdrawal fees.
Currency conversion and commission fees are kept to a minimum, but a stamp duty of 0.13% applies to all buy and sell trades.
Other fees, including transaction levy and trading fees, range from 0.00015% to 0.00565% of the transaction amount, but these will be waived off at CMC Invest.
Here's a breakdown of the fees you might encounter:
- Platform fees: $0 (zero)
- Commission fees: minimal
- Currency conversion fees: minimal
- Maintenance and inactivity fees: $0 (zero)
- Deposit and withdrawal fees: $0 (zero)
- Stamp duty: 0.13%
- Transaction levy and trading fees: 0.00015% to 0.00565%
By choosing CMC Invest, you can trade more and pay less.
Australian and International Shares
If you're buying or selling shares in Australian markets, you'll be happy to know that the first buy under $1,000 is free, but all other buy orders and sell orders incur a fee of $11 or 0.10%.
For international shares, the rules vary depending on the market. In the US, UK, Canada, and Japan, there's no brokerage fee. However, for other markets like Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and Spain, the fee is $59.95 or 0.59% of the trade value.
Here's a breakdown of the fees for international shares and ETFs:
FX spreads apply to all international orders, so be sure to factor that in when making your trades.
US Share Example
The US share example is a great illustration of how commissions work on US shares. A commission of 2 US cents per share is charged, with a minimum commission charge of $10.
If you're trading a large number of shares, you'll pay the commission based on the number of shares traded. For example, a 600 unit trade in Caterpillar at a price of 80.95 would incur a commission of $12.00.
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However, if you're trading a smaller number of shares, you'll pay the minimum commission charge of $10. This can be seen in the example of a 300 unit trade in Caterpillar at a price of 80.95, where the actual commission on this trade is less than the $10.00 minimum commission charge.
Here's a breakdown of the commission charges for US shares:
As you can see, the commission charge is calculated based on the number of shares traded, and the minimum commission charge is $10.
Australian Shares & ETFs
If you're looking to buy Australian shares or ETFs, you'll want to know about the brokerage fees involved. Online orders for these investments are free for the first buy under $1,000.
For all other buy orders and sell orders, the brokerage fee is the greater of the dollar value or the percentage amount shown. This fee is $11.00 or 0.10% for standard brokerage, and $9.90 or 0.075% for ALPHA brokerage.
Here's a breakdown of the fees:
These fees apply to online orders, and you can find more information on telephone brokerage fees in the Financial Services Guide (FSG).
International Shares & ETFs

If you're considering investing in international shares and ETFs, it's worth noting that some markets have no brokerage fees. International shares and ETFs from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan can be traded without incurring any brokerage fees.
However, other markets have a fixed fee or a percentage-based fee. For example, international shares and ETFs from Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and Spain come with a brokerage fee of $59.95 or 0.59% of the dollar value or the percentage amount shown.
Here's a breakdown of the fees for these markets:
FX spreads apply to all international orders, so be sure to factor those in when making your investment decisions.
MFunds
MFunds are a type of investment product offered by CMC Markets, allowing users to trade a basket of underlying assets with a single trade.
These funds are traded on the CMC Markets platform, and users can access various types of MFunds, including stock market indices and commodities.
MFunds are often used for diversification, as they provide exposure to a broad range of assets, reducing the risk of individual stock or commodity prices affecting the overall portfolio.
Some MFunds on the CMC Markets platform are designed to track specific market indices, such as the FTSE 100 or the S&P 500, providing users with a way to invest in the overall performance of these indices.
The fees associated with trading MFunds on CMC Markets can be competitive, with some funds offering lower spreads and commissions compared to trading individual stocks or commodities.
Comparison and Benefits
At CMC Markets, we keep things simple with our pricing, so you can focus on the markets instead of navigating complicated tables. Our free brokerage on all US, UK, Canadian, and Japanese-listed stocks and ETFs* means you can buy shares in Apple, Tesla, Toyota, or Tesco - all for $0 brokerage*.
Here's a comparison of our pricing with other popular brokers:
Our inactivity and holding fees are also a big plus - you won't be charged a single cent with us.
Forex Trading
Forex trading is a high-risk, high-reward market where you can trade currencies, commodities, and other assets.
CMC Markets offers a range of forex trading platforms, including MetaTrader, which is popular among traders.
The forex market is open 24/5, allowing you to trade at any time.
CMC Markets offers competitive spreads, starting from 0.6 pips, making it an attractive option for traders.
With CMC Markets, you can trade over 300 forex pairs, including major and minor currency pairs.
CMC Markets' trading platforms also offer advanced charting tools, including technical indicators and chart patterns.
CMC Markets offers a range of account types, including a demo account, which is ideal for beginners.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does CMC charge an inactivity fee?
Yes, CMC Markets charges an inactivity fee if you don't trade for an extended period of time. Learn more about CMC's fees and conditions to understand how it affects your account.
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