Best High Leverage Stock Brokers

For stock traders who want to increase their market exposure, leverage is one of the most powerful tools available. It allows traders to control larger stock positions using a relatively small amount of capital. While this can significantly boost potential profits, it can also amplify losses. Because of this, leveraged stock trading should always be approached with disciplined risk management.

However, having access to high leverage alone isn't enough. The quality of the broker you choose is just as important. When high leverage is paired with a reputable, well-regulated broker, traders can truly maximise the advantages that leverage offers. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best high-leverage stock brokers, highlighting their key features. We will also discuss important considerations to keep in mind when selecting a broker that offers leveraged stock trading.

Understanding Leverage in Stock Trading

Leverage in stock trading refers to using borrowed funds from a broker to control a larger position in the market than your own capital would normally allow. Instead of paying the full value of a stock position, traders only need to deposit a fraction of the total trade value, known as the margin. For example, if a broker offers 1:10 leverage on stock CFDs, a trader only needs to deposit $1,000 to control a $10,000 stock position.

This increases exposure to the market and can significantly boost potential profits from relatively small price movements. However, leverage also increases risk. If the market moves against the position, losses can accumulate quickly and may exceed the initial margin if proper risk management is not applied.

Because of these risks, financial regulators often limit the leverage brokers can offer on stock trading. In many regulated regions, such as Europe and Australia, leverage on stocks is typically capped at 1:5 for retail traders. Some international broker entities may offer slightly higher leverage for stocks. Leverage also varies depending on the specific stock, market volatility, regulatory jurisdiction, and broker policies.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the brokers that offer competitive leverage for stock trading.

Best High Leverage Stock Brokers

HFM - Up to 1:25

HFM is a well-established global broker offering CFD trading on a wide range of assets, including stocks. It provides access to hundreds of stock CFDs from major exchanges worldwide, such as the NYSE, NASDAQ, EU, and others. It covers popular companies in sectors like technology, consumer goods, and more.

For certain international clients, the broker offers leverage on stocks of up to 1:25. However, as with multiregulated brokers, clients trading under stricter jurisdictions may receive lower leverage due to regulatory limits. Below is a summary of typical leverage levels for stocks across different HFM entities:

Regarding trading fees, this broker charges competitive rates across its various trading accounts. As an example, Apple’s stock features a spread from as low as 0.24 pips plus a commission of 0.1%. Beyond stocks, HFM provides access to a broad range of other CFD instruments. Traders can access CFDs on forex, energies, indices, commodities, bonds, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The trading platforms available to use include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary HFM Platform.

Spreads and commisions are subject to change. Check your platform for the most up to date data.

HFM maintains a strong regulatory profile with oversight from several organisations. These include the FSCA in South Africa, the DFSA in Dubai, and the CMA in Kenya, among others.

Your capital is at risk. Leveraged products may not be suitable for everyone.

Pepperstone - Up to 1:20

Pepperstone is another globally recognised broker that offers a wide selection of stock CFDs from major global exchanges. The broker offers leverage on stock CFDs of up to 1:20 for certain international clients. However, the exact level depends on the regulatory entity under which a trader is registered.

In regions such as the UK, Europe, and Australia, stock leverage is typically limited to 1:5 due to regulatory requirements. Below is a table of the leverage levels for different regions on Pepperstone:

Pepperstone provides access to over 1,000 share CFDs, covering companies across sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, and energy. This gives traders the ability to diversify their strategies and trade stocks from multiple global markets. Traders can speculate on companies listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ, ASX, and other major stock markets without owning the underlying shares.

Spreads and commisions are subject to change. Check your platform for the most up to date data.

The spreads for trading these stocks are competitively low, depending on the region they are from. For example, US shares are available with a minimum commission of $0.02 per side per share. In contrast, UK shares charge a commission of 0.10% with no minimum commission.

Aside from stocks, Pepperstone also offers CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, currency indices, cryptocurrencies, and ETFs. To trade these products, traders can use various trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, and the Pepperstone Trading Platform.

Importantly, Pepperstone is a well-regulated broker, with licenses from several financial institutions. These include the FCA in the UK, the ASIC in Australia, the CySEC in Cyprus, the DFSA in Dubai, the BaFin in Germany, and the CMA in Kenya, among others.

73.7% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Exness - Up to 1:20

Exness is another popular broker that offers leveraged trading on stock CFDs. The broker provides access to a range of global share CFDs, allowing traders to diversify their stock positions. For stock CFDs, Exness offers leverage of up to 1:20 for certain international clients. But the exact level depends on the region and specific stock. The table below summarises the typical leverage levels for stock CFDs across different Exness entities:

Exness offers competitive trading conditions for stock CFDs, with varying pricing structures across various accounts. To demonstrate this, let’s take the Apple stock CFD as an example. It has an average spread of 1.4 pips on the Standard account, 1.0 pips on the Pro account, and 0.7 pips on the Raw Spread account, all without any commission. In contrast, the Zero account offers a spread of 0.5 pips but charges a commission of $1.05 per side per lot.

Spreads and commisions are subject to change. Check your platform for the most up to date data.

Beyond stocks, Exness provides a wide range of other financial instruments. Traders can access CFDs on forex, metals, cryptoсurrencies, energies, and indices. The trading platforms available include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the Exness Terminal.

In terms of regulation, Exness operates under multiple financial authorities around the world. These include regulators such as the FSCA in South Africa, the JSC in Jordan, the FSC in Mauritius, and the CMA in Kenya, among others.

Your capital is at risk. Leveraged products may not be suitable for everyone.

XM - Up to 1:20

XM is another well-known global broker that offers CFD trading on a wide variety of instruments, including stock CFDs. The broker provides access to a large selection of global shares from major stock exchanges such as the NYSE, NASDAQ, and European markets. These include companies from key sectors such as technology, finance, consumer goods, and healthcare.

For stock CFDs, XM offers leverage of up to 1:20 for certain international clients. However, the exact leverage level depends on the regulatory jurisdiction under which the account is opened. Here is a summary of typical leverage levels for stock CFDs across different XM entities:

XM offers a variety of stocks in two categories, which include stock CFDs and turbo stock CFDs. Both of these categories feature competitively low spreads, depending on the specific stock being traded. Spreads on stock CFDs are as low as 0.65 pips for the Apple stock. In comparison, the Apple Turbo stock CFD features a lower minimum spread of 0.36 pips.

Spreads are subject to change. Check your platform for the most up to date data.

Beyond stocks, XM provides access to a wide range of additional CFD instruments. These include forex, indices, commodities, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and energies. XM supports multiple trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the XM trading app.

XM is also known for its strong regulatory framework, operating under several financial authorities globally. It holds licenses from various financial authorities, including the CySEC, the ASIC, and the FSC in Belize.

74.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Tickmill - Up to 1:20

Tickmill is a well-regarded multi-asset broker that offers leveraged trading on stocks. It provides access to over 500 stock CFDs from major global exchanges, featuring well-known companies such as Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Nvidia, Goldman Sachs, Nike, and McDonald’s across sectors like technology, finance, consumer goods, healthcare, and more.

For certain international clients under offshore entities, Tickmill offers leverage on stock CFDs of up to 1:20. However, leverage varies by regulatory entity and client classification. In stricter jurisdictions, leverage on individual stocks is typically limited to 1:5 for retail clients due to regulatory caps. Below is a summary of typical leverage levels for stock CFDs across different Tickmill entities:

Tickmill offers competitive trading conditions for stock CFDs, with pricing that varies depending on the specific share being traded. Tickmill charges no commissions on stocks, and spreads are floating depending on market conditions. The broker does not publish the exact spreads on its website upfront. As such, traders must check the spreads for each asset on the trading platform before placing a trade.

In addition to stocks, Tickmill provides access to a wide range of additional financial instruments. These include CFDs on forex, metals, bonds, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The broker supports the widely used trading platforms MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, alongside TradingView and Tickmill Trader.

Tickmill also maintains a strong regulatory profile. It holds licenses from reputable authorities, including the FCA, the CySEC, the ASIC, and the FSA in Seychelles.

72-73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a High Leverage Stock Broker

When selecting a broker for leveraged stock trading, leverage should not be the only factor you consider. Several other elements can significantly impact your trading experience. These include:

• Regulation - Regulation is one of the most important considerations. Brokers regulated by reputable authorities typically provide stronger investor protections and greater transparency. Avoid unregulated or obscure entities promising extreme ratios like 1:1000 on stocks, as this often signals higher risk. While brokers in offshore jurisdictions may offer higher leverage, they often come with significantly lower levels of regulatory oversight and investor protection.
• Trading Costs - Costs such as spreads and commissions can affect your profitability. Make sure you compare the trading costs across various brokers before settling on one. Choose a broker that best aligns with your budget and trading strategy.
• Range of Stock CFDs - Some brokers offer only a few hundred shares, while others provide access to thousands of global stocks from markets like the US, Europe, and Asia. A wider selection gives traders more opportunities and better diversification.
• Trading Platform - A reliable trading platform with strong charting tools and fast execution speeds is essential for stock trading. Platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and some proprietary broker platforms often include technical indicators, order management tools, and risk controls.

Closing Remarks

High leverage stock trading offers traders the opportunity to control larger positions and potentially increase their returns from relatively small market movements. However, leverage is a powerful tool that must be used responsibly. While it can magnify profits, it can also significantly increase the risk of losses.

The brokers featured in this guide provide competitive leverage for stock CFDs along with access to global markets and robust trading platforms. Nevertheless, leverage levels may vary depending on your location and the regulatory entity under which your account is registered.

When choosing a high-leverage stockbroker, it is important to consider more than just the maximum leverage offered. Factors such as regulation, trading costs, available instruments, and platform reliability all play a crucial role in shaping your overall trading experience. Ultimately, the best high-leverage stockbroker will be the one that aligns with your trading strategy and features a high level of safety.