Best broker for trading the Nasdaq from Australia
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our pick for trading the Nasdaq from Australia: its NAS100 CFD averages a 1-point spread on Razor with no commission, and it adds Nasdaq-listed share CFDs and 24-hour trading on more than 100 US stocks.
- Capital.com (AFSL 513393) is our second choice, mainly for its guaranteed stop-losses, which suit a market that can gap overnight.
- Pepperstone lists a NAS100 perpetual CFD, but its Australian pages do not say whether retail clients can trade it.
- Retail leverage on major indices is capped at 1:20 under ASIC rules at both brokers.
The Nasdaq 100 is the index most Australian traders reach for when they want US tech exposure, and it is volatile enough that the broker's terms matter. We looked at price, the range of ways to trade it, platform support and protection.
Why Pepperstone for the Nasdaq
Pepperstone Group Limited (AFSL 414530) offers the Nasdaq 100 as NAS100, published at a 1-point minimum and 1-point average on Razor and 1.2 on Standard, with no commission. Beyond the index, it lists more than 600 US share CFDs across NYSE and Nasdaq at USD 0.02 per share, and more than 100 US share CFDs that trade 24 hours a day, five days a week, so you can act on a big tech earnings result before the next cash open. Charting and order entry from TradingView are available on Razor.
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Ways to trade the Nasdaq at Pepperstone
| Instrument | Pricing | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| NAS100 cash CFD | Razor 1 point avg; no commission | Intraday and short swings |
| NAS100-F forward | 3-point minimum spread | Holding for weeks |
| NAS100 perpetual CFD | 0.015% commission per side; retail eligibility not stated | Ask Pepperstone first |
| Nasdaq-listed share CFDs | USD 0.02 per share per side | Single-stock views |
| 24-hour US share CFDs | '-24' suffix, 24/5 | Trading around earnings |
Where Capital.com fits
Capital.com Australia Pty Ltd holds AFSL 513393 and caps retail leverage at 1:20 on major indices, the same as Pepperstone. Its distinguishing feature for Nasdaq traders is the guaranteed stop-loss: the Nasdaq can open sharply away from the prior close after earnings or US data, and a guaranteed stop fixes your worst-case exit, at a cost if triggered. We have no published Nasdaq spread for Capital.com, so compare its live quote with Pepperstone's 1-point average before deciding.
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Before you trade the Nasdaq from Australia
- Plan for the clock: the US cash session runs through the Australian night.
- Hold a USD base account if you trade US markets often, to avoid converting each result.
- Size for gaps: the index can move several percent on a single earnings report from a heavyweight constituent.
- Remember a CFD gives no ownership of the underlying shares.
Sources
What is the Nasdaq symbol at Pepperstone?
NAS100 for the cash index CFD, NAS100-F for the forward.
Can I trade the Nasdaq at weekends at Pepperstone?
Pepperstone lists a NAS100 perpetual CFD that trades 24/7, but its Australian pages do not confirm retail access, so ask before relying on it.
Is Razor worth it for the Nasdaq?
On NAS100 Razor averages 1 point against 1.2 on Standard, with no commission on either, so Razor is slightly cheaper for index trades.
Nasdaq CFDs are leveraged and highly volatile, and losses can build quickly, particularly overnight. Read the PDS and TMD. This is general information, not a recommendation to trade.