How to invest in the NYSE from the UK

Here are the cheapest and easiest ways to trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

Ways to invest in NYSE Learn more

The New York stock exchange, often shortened to NYSE is the world’s largest stock exchange. As it’s in the US, you need to be able to trade on international shares with your chosen stock trading platform. Find out how you can invest in the NYSE, some of the index funds that you can invest in and reasons why investors choose to invest in this stock exchange.

Can I invest in the NYSE from the UK?

Yes, it’s relatively straightforward to invest in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the UK. These days, most trading platforms and brokers provide access to US stock markets, including the NYSE and NASDAQ. There are also dedicated US stock trading apps and brokers that exclusively offer access to US stocks.
Get more detailed information and learn how to invest in US shares

How to invest in the NYSE

  1. Choose a broker or trading platform. When choosing a platform, make sure it gives you access to the NYSE, or at least lets you trade the specific NYSE stocks you want to invest in. Different brokers also have different fee structures, and it’s important to find the one that will be most cost-effective for the way you’d like to invest.
  2. Open a share-trading account. Once you’ve selected a broker or platform, you’ll need to open a trading account before you can start investing in the NYSE.
  3. Deposit funds. In order to begin trading, you’ll need to deposit money into your account. Depending on which platform you use, your money may be automatically converted from pounds into US dollars, and you may need to pay a forex fee.
  4. Buy NYSE stocks. Once your account is funded, you’ll be able to buy and sell shares. Most brokers or platforms will let you search for the specific NYSE stocks you want to buy.

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How much does it cost to invest in the NYSE?

This will depend on the specific broker or trading platform you use, as each has its own fee structure. When comparing platforms, it’s important to understand the types of trading fees you’re going to be charged, as this can have a big influence on the cost of investing.

Some brokers charge high commissions on individual trades, so if you’re only planning on investing small amounts, it will be a lot more cost-effective to go with a broker that has commission-free trades. You can compare trading fees below:

Broker trading fees

Below is a breakdown of the basic fees you’ll pay when making a single trade using each broker:

PlatformFee for a US tradeForeign exchange fee
Fineco$3.95 (£2.98)1%
eToro£00.5%
Hargreaves Lansdown£11.951%
Stake£00.5%
Capital.com£00%

A cheaper alternative may be to invest in an NYSE index fund, which tracks the performance of certain stocks without you having to buy the stocks directly. Exchange-traded funds, in particular, are a low cost way to get exposure to the stocks on the NYSE, and only charge a small annual fee of around 0.10%.

Latest updates

Our experts keep on top of the markets to bring you the latest on what's shaking up stock prices.

21 December 2023: After a solid December so far, the S&P 500 index stumbled and was down by around 1.47% yesterday with investors taking profits after the recent rally.

Other ways to invest in the NYSE

If you want to invest in the NYSE without having to buy stocks directly, there are a couple of ways to do so. The most common method is to invest in an ETF or index fund, which tracks the performance of all or certain stocks on the NYSE. If the value of those stocks goes up, so does the value of your fund.

There are hundreds of index funds available for the NYSE, so there’s likely to be one that closely suits your investing goals. Many of the most famous stock market indices, such as the Dow Jones, NYSE Composite and S&P 500, also track stocks listed on the NYSE.

NYSE ETFs

Here are some NYSE ETFs that you can invest in:

  • iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Mkt (NYSE Arca|ITOT)
  • iShares NYSE Composite Index Fund (NYSE Arca: NYC)
  • iShares Russell 3000 Index (NYSE Arca|IWV)
  • Schwab US Broad Market ETF (NYSE Arca|SCHB)
  • Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (NYSE Arca|FNDB)
  • Vanguard Total World Stock (NYSE Arca|VT)
  • Vanguard Total Stock Market (NYSE Arca|VTI)
  • Vanguard Total International Stock (NYSE Arca|VXUS)
  • Vanguard Russell 3000 (NYSE Arca|VTHR)

Why should I invest in the NYSE?

The New York Stock Exchange is by far the world’s largest stock exchange, with a total market capitalisation of over $20 trillion. It features over 2,800 stocks, including some of the most valuable companies in the world. If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio, the NYSE offers more access to stocks and securities than any other exchange in the world, including US stocks that you can’t buy on the London Stock Exchange.

With many brokers and trading platforms now offering easy access to US stock markets, investing in the NYSE can be a good way to broaden your portfolio and get exposure to successful stocks.

Is now a good time to invest in the NYSE?

Many stocks on the NYSE suffered significant drops as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s generally picked itself up since then. Historically, stock market crashes have been a good time to buy shares, as markets generally recover over time. Many investors will see the current share prices of many of the stocks on the NYSE as a good entry point and will invest accordingly.

Check out the stock chart below to see how the NYSE is performing at the moment.

Bottom line

The New York Stock Exchange is the world’s largest stock exchange, which is why it’s so attractive to investors. You need to make sure your broker lets you invest in US shares, and that you’ve filled out a W-8BEN form. You should also consider the fees involved in trading US shares, such as the commission and any additional foreign exchange fees.

If you’re looking for an investment platform, compare them using our table.

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.

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