How to trade US shares in the UK (2024)

FAQs

How to trade US shares in the UK? ›

Yes, you can buy US shares in the UK. You'll have to use a stockbroker – like us – to execute deals on your behalf. You'll need to open an investment account to get exposure to the stock market. If you're already an investor elsewhere, you can transfer your current investments to an account with us.

Yes, you can buy US shares in the UK. You'll have to use a stockbroker – like us – to execute deals on your behalf. You'll need to open an investment account to get exposure to the stock market. If you're already an investor elsewhere, you can transfer your current investments to an account with us.

UK residents aren't subject to paying tax on US shares from the UK, but they do have to pay a tax on any dividends or income received from those US stocks. This tax is called a withholding tax (WHT) and it's 15%. Any dividends or income received from US stocks must receive this WHT 15% tax.

The U.S. stock market is one of the pillars of our country's economic system, and U.S. citizenship is not required to trade U.S. securities. That means non-U.S. citizens or international investors can open a brokerage account and invest in U.S. stocks.

After opening an account with a stockbroker, you can use their trading platform to buy and sell shares and funds. When investing, you have two main options: you can choose to purchase a specific number of shares in a company or fund, or you can decide on a fixed amount of money to invest.

Robinhood UK - Commission-free US Stock Trading & Investing App. Robinhood has made its way to the UK. Now you can invest without commission or FX fees 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

While U.K. residents can deal LSE stocks via their local stockbrokers, U.S. residents can get LSE stocks that involve using your regular U.S. broker to buy LSE shares traded as ADRs; they're foreign shares held in trust by a U.S. based bank.

Customers can transfer US stocks, options and cash held at another brokerage firm to IB through the National Securities Clearing Corporation's (NSCC) Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS).

You do not usually need to pay tax if you give shares as a gift to your husband, wife, civil partner or a charity. You also do not pay Capital Gains Tax when you dispose of: shares you've put into an ISA or PEP. shares in employer Share Incentive Plans (SIPs)

If your total UK and foreign dividends amount to less than the £2000 threshold, then there is no UK tax to pay on the dividends. No relief would be due for the USA tax paid, as there is no tax to pay in the UK, because there is no double taxation in place.

Can I have a US brokerage account if I live abroad? ›

Some firms allow expats to retain their account after relocating abroad but prohibit opening a new account or making new contributions to an existing one, while others allow expats to keep their accounts but don't allow access to their online portals from abroad.

Foreign stocks are currently less expensive than US stocks on a relative basis. You'll pay less for each dollar of earnings from foreign stocks. Diversification matters, and including foreign stocks in your portfolio could improve your risk-adjusted returns.

eToro – Overall best stock broker UK for beginners. Plus500 – One of the best online stock brokers for short-term trading of CFDs* IG – Best stock broker UK for a large selection of investment options. XTB – Best stock broker for utilising leverage.

If you decide to buy shares online, then the easiest thing to do is open what's called a 'nominee account'. This allows you to own shares without becoming involved in any of the paperwork. Often, this account's known as a general investment account (GIA).

Anyone from any country can buy a UK company – there are no limitations on foreign ownership. There are two main ways to buy a business (UK): a share purchase or an asset purchase. With a share purchase, you buy all of the shares in the company and become its new director and beneficiary.

Yes, UK investors can buy shares in Amazon via online investing platforms, such as: eToro. XTB. Hargreaves Lansdown.

Due to regulations, UK retail investors can't buy shares in US-listed ETFs unless the fund has a KIID. But there's another way to diversify – invest in UK-listed equivalents. Learn more below and find some UK alternatives.

Yes, day trading is legal in the UK. Although it is still important to make sure you are trading with a regulated provider.

Open a UK share trading account

So, if you want to take a position on shares, you've come to the right place. We invented spread betting in 1974, and today we offer spread bets, CFDs and share dealing to retail traders who are looking to seize their next opportunity.