CMC Markets is expanding 24/5 US Stock and ETF Trading
CMC Markets has significantly scaled up its 24/5 trading services, offering around-the-clock access to more than 5,000 US shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This is a massive jump from its previous offering, which was limited to just 250 assets.
Additionally, the London-listed FTSE 250 broker has rolled out extended-hours trading to users of its stockbroking platform, CMC Invest.
Key Highlights of the Expansion
- Longer Trading Windows: The update stretches the US trading day from the standard 6.5 hours to up to 16 hours.
- The Fine Print: The 24/5 trading window is strictly dependent on the availability of overnight pricing. CMC Markets has not specified exactly how many of the 5,000+ assets currently meet this requirement.
- A Growing Suite: This expansion follows other recent retail-friendly updates from CMC, including the introduction of fractional share investing and weekend gold CFD trading.
Leadership Insights
CMC Executives framed the move as a direct response to retail demand and global market volatility:
"Expanding our trading hours gives clients more opportunity to react when markets move." — Vaughn Affonso, Co-Head of Dealing
"[We are] simplifying how clients reach markets and... expanding 24/5 access is an important step in that journey." — Laurence Booth, Global Head of Markets
Context: The Industry-Wide Race for Overnight Access
CMC’s expansion comes as brokerage firms and exchanges globally rush to capture overnight retail volume:
- Underlying Equities: Interactive Brokers offers 24/5 trading on roughly 10,000 US stocks and ETFs, while Robinhood and Charles Schwab also support round-the-clock trading of actual shares.
- Derivatives & CFDs: Platforms like STARTRADER have launched 24/5 trading utilizing Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
- New Infrastructure: Specialized venues like the SEC-approved 24X exchange are being built from scratch specifically to facilitate extended-hours trading.