By Ken Chigbo, founder of KenMacro, 18 years trading macro and FX (London floor and institutional desks). Last updated 2026-05-26. Educational only, not financial or tax advice.
To trade the FTSE 100 (UK 100) as a UK resident, use an FCA-regulated broker offering the index with tight spreads. Vantage (FCA FRN 590299) offers the UK 100 on MT4, MT5 and web, as a CFD or as a tax-free spread bet. What moves it: the pound, commodities, global risk and rate expectations.
Most FTSE broker lists never explain what actually drives the index. As a macro desk, that is our lane. Here is how to trade it and where.
How you trade the FTSE 100
Retail traders access the FTSE 100 as the UK 100 via an index CFD or a spread bet, not by buying 100 shares. Spread betting is tax-free for most UK residents; CFDs are CGT-liable but losses are deductible.
What actually moves the FTSE 100
A weaker pound often lifts it, because around three quarters of FTSE 100 earnings come from overseas. Heavy weightings in miners and energy mean commodity and oil prices matter. Then global risk sentiment, the US market, and UK and global rate expectations. Trade the macro, not just the chart.
The FCA-regulated pick for the FTSE 100
The FCA-regulated pick
Vantage (FCA, FRN 590299)
Vantage offers the UK 100 (FTSE 100) plus US indices, gold and FX, as CFDs or tax-free spread bets, under its FCA licence. Authorised by the FCA as Vantage Global Prime LLP, with FSCS protection up to GBP85,000, negative balance protection, and the FCA 1:30 retail leverage cap. It is the one partner we route UK traders to, because it is the one that is actually FCA-regulated.
Affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. Capital at risk. Most retail CFD accounts lose money.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best broker to trade the FTSE 100 in the UK?
An FCA-regulated broker offering the FTSE 100 (UK 100) with tight spreads. Vantage (FCA FRN 590299) offers the UK 100 on MT4, MT5 and web, as a CFD or as a tax-free spread bet for UK residents.
What moves the FTSE 100?
The pound (a weaker GBP often lifts the FTSE because most earnings are overseas), commodity and energy prices (heavy miner and oil weighting), global risk sentiment, US markets, and UK and global interest rate expectations.
Can I spread bet the FTSE 100 tax-free in the UK?
Yes, for most UK residents spread betting profits are free of Capital Gains Tax. Spread betting can only be offered by FCA-regulated firms; Vantage offers a UK 100 spread bet.
What are the FTSE 100 trading hours?
The UK cash session runs roughly 08:00 to 16:30 London time, but index CFDs and spread bets on the UK 100 trade nearly around the clock on weekdays, with the most movement around the London open and US session overlap.
This article is for education and information only and is not financial, investment or tax advice. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change; confirm with HMRC or a qualified adviser. Trading CFDs and spread betting carries a high risk of rapid loss due to leverage; most retail accounts lose money. FCA protections (FSCS, the Financial Ombudsman, negative balance protection) apply only to FCA-regulated firms, not to offshore entities. KenMacro has commercial partnerships with brokers including Vantage and may earn a commission if you open an account through our links, at no extra cost to you.