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The NASDAQ is the second largest stock exchange in the world. It’s very technology heavy, being the home to all of the FAANG stocks. As long as you’ve got a trading account that lets you trade US stocks, you can invest in the NASDAQ from the UK.
Can I invest in NASDAQ in the UK?
Yes, there are several ways you can invest in NASDAQ from the UK. These days, many share-trading platforms and brokers offer access to US stock markets. You can buy individual stocks that are listed on NASDAQ, or invest in index or tracker funds that mirror the performance of the NASDAQ stock market, for example.
How to invest in the NASDAQ
- Find an NASDAQ ETF, index fund or mutual fund. Some index funds track the performance of all 500 S&P stocks, whereas others only track a certain number of stocks or are weighted more towards specific stocks. You should select the fund that best suits your investment goals.
- Open a share-trading account. In order to invest in an NASDAQ fund, you’ll need to open a trading account with a broker or platform. Keep in mind that some index funds may only be available on certain brokerages or platforms. The providers in our comparison table below let you invest in US shares. We’ve listed some index funds below that are listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE)
- Deposit funds. You’ll need to deposit funds into your account to begin trading. Some brokers may charge you deposit fees, or you may need to pay a forex fee in order for your pounds to be converted into US dollars.
- Buy the index fund. Once your money has been deposited, you can then buy the NASDAQ index fund. You’ll generally pay a small annual fee to invest in an ETF or index fund.
Best trading platform for index funds: Saxo
We chose Saxo as our top pick because:
- Invest in over 19,000 stocks, funds and investment trusts.
- Use their award-winning trading platforms.
- Customer support available 24 hours a day.
Need to know: Opening a Saxo share dealing account requires a high minimum investment (£500).
Read our review of Saxo.
How much does it cost to invest in NASDAQ?
Some brokers or trading platforms will charge you a commission on every trade, while others may only charge you a foreign exchange fee when you initially deposit pounds, then charge no commission on trades.
It’s important that you understand the fee structure of each platform before using it to trade. Certain brokers or platforms will suit different types of investors, but may prove to be expensive if you’re only investing small amounts.
Below is a breakdown of the basic fees you’ll pay when making a single NASDAQ trade using each broker, as well as the foreign exchange fees involved.
| Platform | Fee for a US trade | Foreign exchange fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fineco | $3.95 (£2.98) | 1% |
| eToro | £0 | 0.5% |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | £11.95 | 1% |
| Stake | £0 | 0.5% |
| Freetrade | £0 | 0.45% |
| Trading 212 | £0 | 0.5% |
| IG | £10 | 0.5% |
Other ways to invest in NASDAQ from the UK
If you want to invest in NASDAQ but don’t want to buy NASDAQ stock directly, you have other options. You can buy an exchange-traded fund that tracks the performance of the entire NASDAQ index, as well as indices like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average.
NASDAQ ETFs and tracker funds
There are dozens of index and tracker funds that give you exposure to certain NASDAQ stocks, and many of these are able to buy from the UK. Most popular UK trading platforms and brokers will offer at least one NASDAQ index fund, and some of the most popular NASDAQ tracker funds include:
- First Trust NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW)
- Invesco DWA NASDAQ Momentum ETF (DWAQ)
- PowerShares QQQ (QQQ)
- EQQQ Nasdaq-100 UCITS ETF Dist
- ProShares Equities for Rising Rates ETF (EQRR)
- Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index Tracking Stock ETF (ONEQ)
- iShares NASDAQ 100 UCITS ETF
Which stocks are on NASDAQ?
There are over 3,300 stocks available on NASDAQ, including many of the largest companies in the world by market capitalisation.
Popular NASDAQ stocks include:
What is the NASDAQ Composite?
The NASDAQ Composite (IXIC) is a stock market index that tracks the common stocks and securities on NASDAQ. The NASDAQ-100 is an index that tracks a subset of the top 100 non-financial stocks on NASDAQ. You can invest in these indices by buying an ETF that specifically tracks the performance of the stocks in the index.
NASDAQ trading hours
NASDAQ is open during regular US market hours, which are 9:30am to 4pm (Eastern time), Monday to Friday. For UK investors, this means you can trade NASDAQ between 2:30pm and 9pm GMT, Monday to Friday.
Is the NASDAQ a good investment?
That depends on how it performs. As with all investing, there is risk. NASDAQ and the US in general have been the powerhouse of global growth for many years.
NASDAQ – also called the NASDAQ stock market – is the world’s second largest stock exchange by market capitalisation after the New York Stock Exchange, and is also based in New York. NASDAQ is short for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations. It’s the home of some of the most globally renowned companies and the growth of the whole index reflects that.
NASDAQ also offers high liquidity and trading options. UK investors looking to expand their portfolio will be able to trade over 3,300 stocks on NASDAQ.
Compare NASDAQ share trading platforms
Table: sorted by promoted deals first
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
Bottom line
The NASDAQ is home to some of the largest stocks in the world, so there’s no doubt why investors are interested in trading on it. You can either choose individual shares that are listed on the exchange and invest in those, or invest in ETFs or funds that track the exchange. Make sure you choose a broker that lets you trade US stocks and you know about the additional currency exchange fees before you begin.
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