Which broker is best for trading the Europe 50?
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our pick for trading the Europe 50 (EUSTX50, the Euro Stoxx 50): it publishes a 1.6-point minimum and 1.8-point average spread on the index, with no commission on index CFDs.
- If you trade European indices more widely, Pepperstone prices the GER40 (0.9 minimum on Razor) and FRA40 (1 minimum) alongside it.
- UK clients trade through Pepperstone Limited (FCA 684312), as a CFD or a pounds-per-point spread bet, with retail leverage capped at 1:20 for major indices.
- Capital.com is our alternative if you need guaranteed stops, which Pepperstone doesn't offer.
The Europe 50 is priced in euros, so a UK trader cares about three things: the spread, how profits get back into pounds, and gap risk at the open. Pepperstone gives clear numbers on the first and a spread bet solves the second. Here are the details, and where a rival fits better.
What Pepperstone charges on the Europe 50
Pepperstone's index-fees page lists EUSTX50 at 1.6 points minimum and 1.8 average (August 2026 data). The page gives one figure for this index rather than separate Razor and Standard lines, and the UK pricing page doesn't list it, so confirm the quote in your account. Index CFDs carry no commission, which keeps an intraday trade's cost to the spread. You can trade it on MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView or Pepperstone's own platform; in the UK, MT4 and TradingView need a Razor or spread betting account.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
European index spreads side by side
| Index | Published spread | Account split |
|---|---|---|
| EUSTX50 | 1.6 / 1.8 | Single figure on the page |
| GER40 | 0.9 / 1 (Razor); 1.2 / 1.3 (Standard) | Razor and Standard |
| FRA40 | 1 / 1.2 | Single figure on the page |
Pounds or euros: choosing how to hold it
A spread bet on the Europe 50 is staked in pounds per point, so a 50-point rise at £2 a point puts £100 into a GBP account with no conversion step. A CFD's profit or loss is in euros and is converted into your account currency. Pepperstone's UK base currencies are GBP, USD, EUR and CHF, so a EUR account avoids repeated conversions if you trade euro markets often. Pepperstone says spread betting profits are exempt from capital gains tax, while CFDs are subject to CGT; tax treatment depends on your circumstances.
Leverage and margin
The UK retail limit for major indices is 1:20 at both Pepperstone and Capital.com; the platform shows the margin rate that applies to EUSTX50. At 1:20, €30,000 of exposure needs €1,500 of margin, and a 1% move is €300, a fifth of that margin. Professional clients can reach 1:500 at Pepperstone but give up negative balance protection.
When to pick Capital.com instead
European indices can gap at the open when news breaks overnight in the US or Asia. Pepperstone's stops can slip in a gap; Capital.com (FCA 793714) sells guaranteed stop-loss orders and also offers spread betting, with a £20 minimum deposit. It publishes live spreads only, so compare its Europe 50 quote with Pepperstone's at the same moment before deciding on cost.
Sources
What is the Europe 50 called at Pepperstone?
EUSTX50, as listed on Pepperstone's index-fees page.
Does Pepperstone charge commission on the Europe 50?
No. Index CFDs carry no commission; you pay the spread and any overnight fee after 10 pm UK time.
Can I hold a euro account with Pepperstone in the UK?
Yes. UK base currencies are GBP, USD, EUR and CHF.
CFDs and spread bets are leveraged and high risk; you can lose money quickly. Consider whether you understand them and can afford the risk. This is not investment advice, and published spreads may change.