Futures Brokers in the UK

The United Kingdom, with its highly developed financial markets, is home to several well-established futures brokers that cater to a diverse clientele, including individual traders, corporate entities, and institutional investors.

Below are four prominent futures brokers in the UK: Berkeley Futures Limited, Sucden Financial, GNI Touch, and Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited.

1. Berkeley Futures Limited

Berkeley Futures Limited is one of the oldest and most respected futures brokers in the UK, having been established in 1986. The company provides customers with access to a broad range of worldwide derivative markets, offering both online and telephone trading options. This flexibility allows traders to choose the method that best suits their needs, whether they prefer the convenience of online trading or the personal touch of speaking to a broker via phone.

Berkeley Futures offers an extensive selection of trading platforms, designed to meet the varied needs of futures, options, and foreign exchange (Forex) traders. The platforms provided by the broker cater to both novice and experienced traders, ensuring that users can access the tools and resources necessary for informed decision-making. For instance, the platforms come with real-time market data, risk management features, and charting tools, which allow traders to track market movements and execute trades effectively.

The firm’s long-standing presence in the industry is a testament to its credibility and reliability. As a regulated firm, Berkeley Futures adheres to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) standards, ensuring that clients benefit from a secure and trustworthy trading environment. Moreover, Berkeley Futures offers a range of education and support services, helping traders stay up to date with market trends and improve their skills.

2. Sucden Financial

Sucden Financial is another major player in the UK futures brokerage scene. Founded in 1973, Sucden Financial has established itself as a global leader in the financial futures and commodities markets. The firm is a member of the world's major exchanges, including the London Metal Exchange (LME), Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), and many others. This wide-reaching membership gives Sucden Financial clients access to a vast array of futures and options contracts, both in commodities and financial markets.

Sucden Financial serves a variety of clients, including corporate entities, institutional investors, and private investors. Corporate and institutional clients benefit from electronic futures and options trading, which provides them with direct access to a diverse range of global markets. For private investors, Sucden offers SMART, a multi-product online trading platform that allows users to trade futures, contracts for difference (CFDs), stocks, and foreign exchange (Forex) on a single, secure platform.

The SMART platform is known for its user-friendly interface and robust security features, providing clients with a seamless trading experience. Sucden Financial’s commitment to customer service is another significant advantage, as the firm offers professional guidance to both institutional clients and retail investors. The firm’s reputation for reliability and its broad range of market offerings make it one of the top choices for those seeking to engage in futures trading in the UK.

3. GNI Touch (MF Global UK Limited)

GNI Touch is the trading name of MF Global UK Limited, a major futures and options broker authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), now known as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). GNI Touch provides clients with access to some of the largest futures exchanges in the world, including the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the Euronext, and the London International Financial Futures Exchange (LIFFE).

GNI Touch offers a range of online futures trading platforms, providing clients with direct access to these global markets. The firm’s platforms are designed to accommodate traders of various experience levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The brokers provide sophisticated tools, including real-time market data, advanced charting software, and customizable trading strategies, which help traders make informed decisions and optimize their trading strategies.

In addition to its extensive platform offerings, GNI Touch provides excellent customer support and trading education. The firm’s commitment to quality service ensures that clients can trade futures contracts with confidence, knowing they have a trusted partner to support them throughout their trading journey. Furthermore, as part of MF Global, a well-established player in the futures and commodities market, GNI Touch benefits from a global network of financial experts and institutional support.

4. Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited

Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited is a prominent futures broker that offers global access to a wide range of financial products, including agriculture, currency, energy, equity index, fixed income, metals, and volatility futures. As a subsidiary of Interactive Brokers Group, the company provides customers with the ability to trade futures contracts on multiple exchanges worldwide, including the CME Group, ICE, and Eurex.

Interactive Brokers’ platform is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and efficient trading systems available in the industry. Known for its sophisticated trading tools and low commission fees, the platform is designed for both institutional and retail traders. Investors can access a wide range of futures markets from a single account, which enhances convenience and trading flexibility.

One of the standout features of Interactive Brokers is its low-cost structure, which makes it particularly attractive to high-frequency traders and institutions looking to reduce trading costs. Additionally, the firm provides a wealth of educational resources and tools, helping traders refine their skills and make informed decisions. The company is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring that it operates in compliance with UK financial regulations and offers clients a secure trading environment.