- Compare UK Investments
- Where To Invest
- Trade Shares
- Trade FTSE100 Shares
- Trade FTSE250 Shares
- Trade AIM Shares
- Trade European Shares
- Trade DJ30 Shares
- Trade S&P500 Shares
- Trade Forex
- Trade Commodities
- Trade Energy Commodities
- Trade Metal Commodities
- Trade Soft Commodities
- Recommended Financial Spread Betting Books
Guide to Trading European Shares
European shares represent stocks and equities from the major European exchanges including German DAX30 and French CAC40. These indices represent the biggest European companies like BMW and Man.
Why to trade European shares
European shares represent the biggest European shares by market capitalisation. Pension funds, banks, insurance companies and private investors around the world hold them. They are particularly attractive to beginners (new would be investors) as the companies usually have strong balance and P&L sheets, more likely to pay dividends, highly capitalised and less sensitive to market speculations.
Where to trade European shares
Every financial spread betting, contracts for difference (CFDs) and some share dealing brokers allow clients to buy and sell European equities. It is crucial to use the right investment vehicle as they offer different benefits and not suitable for everybody.
- Financial Spread Betting is a leveraged product, tax exempt and lets you go long or short. For more information refer to financial spread betting guide or compare spread betting accounts.
- Contract For Difference (CFD) is also a leveraged product, lets you go long or short, but unlike spread betting is not tax exempt. For more information refer to contract for difference guide or compare CFD accounts.
- Share dealing is the most common way to invest money in the stock market. Usually share dealing is not leveraged (although some stockbrokers have credit accounts) and incurs capital gains tax. Learn more about stock brokers and compare share dealing accounts.
Additional Information
- Financial Times - official website of Financial Times
