Broker Review
CMC Markets Review 2026 — Is CMC Markets Legit?
Score Summary
out of 10
CMC Markets is an established UK-based broker offering CFDs and spread betting on 12,000+ instruments. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and FCA regulated, CMC's proprietary Next Generation platform features industry-leading charting and competitive pricing.
Overview
CMC Markets was founded in 1989 by Peter Cruddas in London as one of the first firms to offer online forex trading. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: CMCX) and has grown into a major global CFD and spread betting provider, offering access to over 12,000 instruments including forex, indices, commodities, shares, treasuries, and ETFs.
CMC also operates a stockbroking arm in Australia (CMC Markets Invest) and has expanded into B2B technology services, licensing its trading platform to other financial institutions.
Note
CMC Markets was a pioneer in online forex trading, launching its first platform in 1996. The company's long history and continuous innovation in trading technology set it apart from newer entrants.
Regulatory Status
- FCA (United Kingdom) — Reference number 173730
- ASIC (Australia) — AFSL 238054
- BaFin (Germany)
- MAS (Singapore)
- FMA (New Zealand)
As a London Stock Exchange-listed company, CMC is subject to UK corporate governance requirements and publishes audited annual reports.
Fee Structure
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.7 pips (min) |
| FTSE 100 Spread | 1 point |
| Share CFDs (UK) | 0.10% (min £9) |
| Share CFDs (US) | 2 cents/share (min $10) |
| Guaranteed Stop Premium | Variable |
| Withdrawal | Free |
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month after 12 months |
Tip
CMC offers a rebate program for high-volume traders, reducing spreads by up to 28% for clients who trade over £25 million notional per month.
Platform & Tools
CMC's Next Generation platform is one of the best proprietary trading platforms in the CFD industry:
- Next Generation — Web-based platform with 115+ technical indicators, 12 chart types, pattern recognition scanner, client sentiment data, and Reuters news feed. The charting package rivals standalone services like TradingView.
- MetaTrader 4 — Available for traders who prefer the MT4 ecosystem
- Mobile App — Feature-rich app with price alerts, in-app trading, and portfolio management
The platform's standout features include the pattern recognition tool (powered by Autochartist), which automatically identifies chart patterns across all markets, and the client sentiment indicator showing the percentage of CMC clients long vs. short on each instrument.
Customer Support
Support is available via phone, email, and live chat during market hours. Our testing found:
- Phone wait times of 3-6 minutes
- Live chat responses within 3-5 minutes
- Email responses within 24 hours
- Support staff demonstrated strong knowledge of CFD products and the Next Generation platform
Trustworthiness
With over 35 years of operating history, FCA regulation, and London Stock Exchange listing, CMC Markets is a highly trustworthy CFD broker. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at major UK banks. The company has maintained a clean regulatory record with no significant enforcement actions.
Warning
As with all CFD providers, CMC Markets discloses that approximately 69% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs. Leveraged products carry significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors.
Conclusion
CMC Markets earns our Recommended verdict with a score of 8.1. The Next Generation platform's charting capabilities are genuinely best-in-class for CFD trading, and the company's long track record and strong regulation provide confidence. Competitive spreads on major markets and a generous rebate program for active traders add to the appeal. A solid choice for CFD traders in the UK and Australia.
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