Which is better for trading the Hang Seng, Pepperstone or IG?
Verdict
- For trading the Hang Seng we pick Pepperstone: its HK50 CFD has a published 5-point average spread on both accounts and no commission, while IG's Hang Seng pricing is not in our data.
- Pepperstone also offers an HK50-F forward (10-point minimum spread), 46 HKEX share CFDs and China A50, so you can trade around the index from one account held in HKD.
- IG's edge is risk tools and platforms: it publishes guaranteed stops on its UK site and offers ProRealTime and L2 Dealer, which Pepperstone does not.
- Neither shows an SFC licence; ig.com/hk redirects to IG's Chinese-language site, and Pepperstone serves Hong Kong from the Bahamas (SCB SIA-F217).
If your main market is the Hang Seng, the deciding factor is how much each round trip costs and whether you can see it in advance. Pepperstone publishes its HK50 spread; in the data we hold, IG does not. That makes Pepperstone the choice, with one exception set out below.
Pepperstone's Hang Seng offering
The cash HK50 CFD is quoted at a 5-point average spread, the same on Standard and Razor, and index CFDs carry no commission on either account. So a Standard account costs you nothing extra for Hang Seng trading, and Razor only pays off if you also trade forex. Retail clients of the Bahamas entity can use up to 1:200 on major indices. If you prefer a dated contract, HK50-F is listed with a 10-point minimum spread. Around the index you have 46 HKEX share CFDs at 0.2% commission per side and China A50 (CN50) at a 10.2-point average. Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, the Pepperstone app, and TradingView with Razor.
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Hang Seng trading: the two compared
| Pepperstone | IG | |
|---|---|---|
| HK50 spread | 5 points average, Standard and Razor | Not in our data |
| Commission on index CFDs | None | Not in our data |
| Guaranteed stops | Not offered | Published on IG's UK site; check for your entity |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, own app | IG web and app, MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView, APIs |
| HKD base currency | Yes | Not in our data |
| SFC licence | None | None shown |
When IG is the better fit
Choose IG if you trade the Hang Seng through sharp opens or around mainland policy news and want the exit price guaranteed. IG says its guaranteed stops are free to place and charge a premium only if triggered, but that's stated on its UK site; ask IG whether the account you'd hold from Hong Kong includes them. ProRealTime users and those who want IG's APIs also have a reason to stay. Otherwise, Pepperstone's published cost is the simpler basis for a Hang Seng trader.
Questions to settle before trading HK50
- Cash or forward? The cash CFD has the tighter spread (5 points against a 10-point minimum on HK50-F); check the forward's expiry and holding terms before using it for longer trades.
- Which hours? Index spreads are averages; check what you are quoted outside the main HKEX session.
- Which entity? With either brand, confirm the company named in your client agreement and its regulator.
- Which currency? Holding an HKD account avoids converting Hang Seng profits and losses.
Sources
Index pricing and regulatory pages from the two brokers.
What does Pepperstone charge on HK50?
A 5-point average spread and no commission, on both Standard and Razor.
Is IG cheaper than Pepperstone for the Hang Seng?
We can't tell: IG's HK50 spread isn't in our verified data. Compare its live quote with Pepperstone's 5-point average at the same time of day.
Can I trade Hong Kong shares as well as the index?
At Pepperstone, yes: it lists 46 HKEX share CFDs at 0.2% commission per side.
Index CFDs are leveraged; a fast Hang Seng move can cost you more than you planned, and most retail CFD accounts lose money. Know the risks before trading. This is general information, not investment advice.