IG Review – Is it Legit? (December 2023)
Trust
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Overall Rating
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Professional clients can lose more than they deposit. All trading involves risk.
IG Group Holdings, known as IG Group, originates from the UK and provides online trading services, enabling users to engage in spread betting and CFD trading. These platforms let individuals speculate on the price movements of equities, bonds, and currencies without having the actual assets.
Founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler, its headquarters is in London with a team of 1,950 members.
The firm is valued at approximately £2.9 billion and had avenues to trade across 17,000 financial markets. The company operates under the oversight of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Additionally, it’s publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange and is part of the FTSE 250 Index.
Pros
- Licensed by FCA in the UK
- Licensed by ASIC in Australia
- Founded in 1974
Cons
- High Stock CFD Fees
- Limited Product Portfolio
- Stocks Limited to Some Countries
Trust
IG stands as a rigorously overseen investment portal ensuring a dependable trading atmosphere for its clientele.
The platform undergoes regulation from prominent financial overseers such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS).
Being under such regulations, IG must strictly follow guidelines emphasizing security and safeguarding of clients. They employ state-of-the-art safeguards, encompassing two-step verification and data encryption, to secure users’ information and resources.
Furthermore, IG features a policy that shields traders from going into negative balance, meaning they won’t owe more than what’s in their accounts. This serves as an added shield against unforeseen market shifts or trading downturns.
Moreover, IG keeps its patrons’ capital separate from its operational funds. Thus, in the rare scenario of company distress, clients’ investments remain secure and will be given back to them.
On the whole, the stringent regulations and safety protocols of IG endorse its reputation as a reliable venue for individuals to allocate their investments.
Investment Products
Open an investment account for access to opportunities across 13,000+ shares and ETFs.
Buy and sell thousands of global shares and ETFs. Trade US shares from £0 commission and UK shares from just £3 commission. Plus, pay only 0.5% for Forex (FX) conversion.
Forex traders can leverage the IG platform to capitalize on the movements in currency values. They offer trading opportunities in all major global currency pairs including AUD/USD, EUR/CHF, EUR/GBP, EUR/JPY, EUR/USD, GBP/EUR, GBP/JPY, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, USD/CHF and USD/JPY. They also offer trading opportunities in smaller currencies such as SGD, ZAR, INR, BRL, IDR, PHP, TWD, and much more.
Another option are the Smart Portfolios – Invest via a portfolio designed by the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock. IG monitors and manage it based on your goals and risk profile, at a fraction of traditional wealth managers’ costs
CFD traders benefit the most, as this is the World’s No.1 CFD provider. Made for traders who want to take advantage of rising and falling markets, they offer flexible access to more than 17,000+ global markets including stocks and cryptocurrencies, with reliable execution.
Trading Platform
Manage each transaction effortlessly with just a few interactions, thanks to the intuitive tools on the user-friendly transaction interface:
- Quickly view market rates, spread, and margin through a streamlined interface.
- Reduce potential losses and safeguard gains using our array of stops and limits, inclusive of guaranteed stops for utmost security.
- Select the currency you prefer to reduce conversion fees.
- Opt for automated trading by initiating orders at your desired rate, followed by setting their end date or terminating them yourself.
- Activate notifications for specific market movements, price thresholds, or when your technical criteria are met.
- Discover transaction details under the ‘details’ section – encompassing minimum gaps for stops, trading volumes, margin guidelines, and more.
Dive deep into price trends and seize opportunities with responsive, intuitive, and intelligent graphs.
- Evaluate trends over diverse durations, from moment-to-moment to monthly analyses.
- Overlay and contrast up to four different time periods on one graph.
- Conduct comprehensive research using 28 tools (such as MACD, RSI, and Bollinger Bands) along with 19 illustrative marks.
- Engage smoothly with charts backed by HTML5 tech, compatible across browsers.
- Execute transactions swiftly right from the charts – initiate, conclude, and modify trades in just a few interactions.
- Gain seamless entry to ProRealTime, a premier online graphing tool for seasoned traders.
Customer Support
IG provides multiple avenues to assist you when required. Here’s a breakdown of the assistance services IG extends:
Chat instantly – Utilize IG’s instantaneous chat function to communicate directly with a support agent. It’s a round-the-clock service, offering a swift solution for your queries and concerns.
Telephonic assistance – Should you opt for voice communication, IG has telephonic services operational during standard work hours. The IG site provides region-specific contact details.
Dial-in Detail – 0800 195 3100
Mail support – For non-immediate concerns, shoot a mail to IG’s support crew. Anticipate a reply typically within a day’s time.
Reach out at – [email protected]
Resource hub – IG boasts an extensive support hub brimming with responses to commonly posed questions, platform walkthroughs, and tutorials, designed to enhance your user experience.
Explore IG’s Assistance Hub
Digital presence – Engage with IG on popular digital networks like Twitter and Facebook. Ping them there, and they’re prompt to revert.
IG Forum – IG has orchestrated a user-driven trading discussion platform, an ideal spot to field queries and seek guidance on trade and investment topics. Currently, the forum enjoys a vibrant membership of over 40,000 enthusiasts.
Summary
IG stands as a dynamic trading platform, appealing to a broad spectrum of individuals, from novice investors to expert market players. The array of features and utilities position it as a top selection for diverse investment enthusiasts.
IG extends an intuitive interface for everyday investors, marked by competitive charges and minimal initial deposit criteria.
Those new to the trading world or aiming to broaden their horizons can benefit from the platform’s array of educational content and analytical tools.
For those deeply immersed in trading, IG showcases a suite of sophisticated trading utilities, encompassing graphical representation instruments, indicators for technical scrutiny, and tailor-made alert systems. Moreover, the platform grants entry to a vast network of over 17,000 worldwide markets, ensuring an expansive palette of trading opportunities.
Furthermore, IG introduces multiple account categories to resonate with varied requirements and inclinations. To illustrate, the platform encompasses options for spread betting and CFD trading accounts, facilitating users in pinpointing an account configuration that aligns with their distinct trading approach and tastes.
