IC Markets Stocks checklist

Brokers can provide stock exposure in different ways, and the differences matter for costs, ownership rights and risk. Some brokers offer direct share dealing where you own the underlying stock; others offer stock CFDs, which are leveraged derivative contracts where you never own the share and where losses can exceed your expectations if margin is involved. Before assuming anything about IC Markets, check the broker's product documentation and legal terms for your country to establish exactly which structure applies. Also confirm which entity of the broker would hold your account, because product ranges often differ between entities regulated in different jurisdictions.

Even when a broker lists stock trading, the practical questions are which exchanges and companies you can access, during which hours, and on which platforms. Instrument lists change over time, so a list you find on a third-party site may be outdated. Go to the broker's current instrument list or in-platform search to confirm the specific tickers you plan to trade. Also confirm whether corporate actions such as dividends and splits are handled, and how they are treated on any derivative products, because dividend adjustments on CFDs work differently from dividends on owned shares.

Stock trading costs can include commissions, spreads, currency conversion charges, overnight financing on leveraged positions, and inactivity or withdrawal fees. Published examples on any website, including this one, can go stale, so pull the broker's current fee schedule and the terms for the specific account type you would open. If leverage is involved, understand the margin requirements and what happens during a margin call. Finally, confirm the account opening requirements for your country of residence, since onboarding rules and available account types vary. You can also use the broker comparison tool on InvestorTrip to line up the questions you should ask of any broker you shortlist.