Stock Indices | Stock Market Indices

Experience our platform

Why spread bet on stock indices?

When you spread bet on the FTSE^® 100 and other major stock indices, you benefit from out-of-hours markets, so you can deal at any time of the day. And because global indices move quickly, we execute deals in under 0.1 seconds.* You can spread bet on stock indices online or on your mobile.

Mobile trading

Spread bet on stock indices on your smartphone and iPad with our range of customised dealing apps.

• BlackBerry
• iPhone
• iPad
• Windows Phone 7
• Android

* 99.51% of trades executed in 0.1 seconds, all IG Index and IG Markets companies, January 2013 – March 2013.

News: Stay up to date with Indices

23 May – FTSE LOSES NEARLY TEN DAYS' TRADING GAINS

A combination of last night’s comments from Ben Bernanke and Chinese PMI figures have sent alarm bells ringing around the markets.

Yesterday the markets waited patiently for Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke to give his prepared speech. This passed without incident, however following further questioning by the committee the possibility of a quantitative easing (QE) policy being brought forward was discussed with a more open mindset. This discussion, along with two of the 12 Fed members voting for the end of QE this year, saw markets wobble.

Arguably, what tipped the markets over the edge was last night’s Chinese manufacturing PMI figures that came in below 50, confirming a contraction in the Chinese economy. These figures were compiled by HSBC and not the Chinese government, and many would argue that they are therefore a little more likely to be accurate.

It would be fair to say that having had such impressive runs over the last month, equity markets are a little toppy; however to call last night’s and this morning’s price action ‘the top’ could be a little premature. Fundamentally the US QE policy is still in place, and it is likely that both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England will become a little more aggressive with their stimulus packages, too.

Investment funds still do not have an equally attractive asset class to invest in and, until they do, equities are likely to remain the home of choice.

Alastair McCaig , London

To view further indices articles and for a more detailed look at the indices market, including live-streaming Reuters news, log in to our insight centre.

Disclaimer: IG provides an execution-only service. The material on this website does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) investment advice or an investment recommendation, or a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the above information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at his or her own risk. The research does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed.