Some helpful links
The ultimate resource centre for online traders. News, research and gossip - much of it for free.
Provides a very competitive share dealing service, but also offers wealth management solutions to help investors plan investment strategies, develop balanced portfolios and access independent financial advice. There's also a monthly investment plan and an asset allocation and a gilts service.
It styles itself as a suite of powerful trading tools allowing user to track markets in real time and analyse trends.
Share dealing, CFD's and coverd warrants. There's an education centre for customers who want to learn more about the financial markets and Barclays even offer regular seminars on subjects as arcane as contracts for difference, covered warrants and technical analysis.
Futures and broker on Liffe, CME and CBoT.
Powered by Selftrade, the independent online brokerage. The highly regarded Digital Look provides the research, search and news facilities that makes Cahoot more than just a barebones service. There's also a handy, if all-too-brief, guide to dealing online.
Spread bet on just about anything you wish from UK shares, indices through to sports. There's also a very good and competitively priced CFD service that is used by the professionals. The site has got everything you'll need and more to navigate the fiendish world of spread betting.
Commission-free CFD trading. Instead buy the software that allows you to buy share, commodity and treasury contracts from a single UK account. Too good to be true? Take a look.
Everything you wanted to know about world financial news and markets and were too afraid to ask. Featured on many of the City's best financial websites.
Described as Scotland's premier independent execution-only stock broker. As well as UK shares, also offers customers a European and US dealing service. And as you would expect with those canny Scots, there's advice on most tax efficient means of saving.
You name it, E*Trade's got it. You can buy and sell shares, trade CFD's, forex and futures. As with the Barclays site, there are seminars for those looking to top up their knowledge of the markets and tools aplenty for the real geeks.
Provides an efficient, secure, reliable and easy to use online trading service. Using Fastrade you can maintain your trading, ISA and PEP all in one place. Full access to UK, European and US stocks, fundamental data, charts and real-time news from both AFX and Dow Jones.
From the people who give you Xtra - a cheap workman-like share dealing service.And they'll even give you hand with your PEP or ISA.
Stock broking services and investment advice and a wealth of information to boot. We particularly like the Investment Times newsletter and there are are plenty of research tools for the eager beavers of you who really enjoy getting to grips with a bit of analysis. Oh yes, and they will help with your PEP's and ISA's too.
Irish gangster or fund manager? This is an online account for self-selected maxi-ISA's and PEP's, so probably not one for the day trader.
More to this two tiered service than meets the eye. Customers can trade UK shares, gilts and exchange traded funds. The premier service - InvestDirect Plus - allows you to deal US markets.The online toolkit includes daily market news and commentary, analysts’ consensus opinions and broker forecasts.
From equities to FX, from Singapore to Argentina, this site purports to have the research that covers it. It has 60 analysts, located in New York, London and Singapore, contributing to 22 separate subscription-based products, delivered via networks, fax, internet, and wireless.
This City of London financial advisery service covers the waterfront. CFD's, spread betting, ISA's and PEP's are all there. They also claim some expertisie in SIPP's - Gordon Brown take note. There's even a service for investment clubs.
Though Cantor will have something to say about this, IG calls itself the undisputed leader in spread betting. You get the lot here. Live prices to your mobile and one touch dealing on the PDA.
This hidden gem is owned by HBoS, the company that runs Bank of Scotland and Halifax. Trade in shares from around the globe from the comfort of your own home.
Part of the growing Man Financial empire, the site claims to offer some of the most competitive spreads in the market. For a company otherwise involved in hedge fund management and derivatives, it is not surprising it should offer customers support for complicated and arcane trading structures.
Trade UK and international stocks and also participate in new share issues. The company's Brokerline service allows customers allows customers to buy and sell investment grade bonds. Savers are well catered for and there is also a funds supermarket.
The forex site with cheat sheets and currency converter. If nothing else it'll come in handy when you go on holiday.
Share trading for just £7.50 a bargain. Yes, but you'll have to be a very busy bunny to qualify for that sort of commission discount. Research is supplied by Digital Look. For the novice there is step-by-step guide to investing and a CFD simulator.
The multi-award winning site operates at a flat rate and is the ultimate in transparency. Deal UK equities, investment trusts, OEICs and covered warrants.
Stock Market Spreads
Typically offers just a two point spread on the Dow and FTSE 100, so this is for traders looking for value. You get a comprehensive range of forex and commodity futures spreadbets as well as generous spreads of between 4 and 5 points on £vs$, 8 points on Brent and Nymex and 8 on gold.
Easy-to-navigate online trade platform that offers a great platform for the internet share trader. Brewin Dolphin also provides a full service stock broking service for those people who would rather not just trust to instinct.