Trading indices at Exness: Conditions, tools, and strategies explained

One trade. Dozens of companies. That's the appeal of index CFDs.

Indices track markets as a whole, and trading them means exposure to broad market moves without owning a single share.

Here’s what you need to know about trading indices at Exness, from the conditions and features we offer to how traders approach indices in practice.

Indices you can trade at Exness

You can trade a range of global index CFDs at Exness, covering major markets across the US, Europe, and Asia.

On our platforms, each index is listed by its trading symbol. For example, the Dow Jones appears as US30, while the S&P 500 is represented by US500.

Some of the most widely traded indices include:

You can view the full list of available indices and their details on our indices page.

Advantages of trading indices at Exness

Trading indices isn’t just about choosing what to trade. How your orders are executed, and the conditions around them, matter just as much.

Fast and reliable execution

Markets can move quickly during major news events or when sessions open. In these moments, speed is key to getting the price you want.

With our precise execution1, you can open, modify, and close your indices positions in real time, no matter the size of your trade.

Competitive spreads

Spreads directly affect your trading costs, and lower, more stable spreads play a central role in your overall returns.

At Exness, we’ve reduced our spreads on US indices by 82%2, allowing you to save more on costs. We also offer the most stable spreads on US30.3

You can use the trading calculator to estimate your costs before opening a position, making it easier to plan your entry and exit points.

Built-in risk management

Not all trades turn out as expected, and managing downside risk is an important part of trading.

Features like our Stop Out Protection can help delay or avoid stop outs, especially in volatile markets, while Negative Balance Protection prevents losses from exceeding your account balance.

These advantages are available across all our account types, each designed to suit different trading styles and experience levels.

Account types for trading indices at Exness

You can trade index CFDs across our Standard, Pro, Zero, and Raw Spread account types. Whether you’re just getting started or an advanced indices trader, we have an account type that fits your needs.

Standard

Our most popular account, with low spreads and no commission, Standard is suitable for those who trade indices occasionally or are still fine-tuning their strategy.

Pro

Commission-free with even lower spreads than Standard, our instant execution account is a step up for index traders looking for better conditions. Market execution is available for trading accounts in USD, JPY, THB, CNY, IDR, and VND.

Zero

True to its name, Zero offers zero spreads on the 30 popular instruments during 95% of the day4, and is  designed for traders where execution precision and spread costs are a priority.

Raw Spread

With low, stable spreads and a fixed commission of up to 3.50 USD per lot per side on most instruments, this market execution account is ideal for active index traders where spread size directly impacts results.

Once you've decided on the right account for you, the next step is knowing when your preferred indices are available to trade.

Access top global indices

Trade leading stock indices across the US, UK, China, Germany, and Japan, with ultra-fast execution and low and stable spreads.*

Try free demo

*

Spreads may fluctuate and widen due to factors including market volatility, news releases, economic events, when markets open or close, and the type of instruments being traded.

Trading hours for indices

Each index CFD follows the trading hours of its location, meaning its availability depends on where the market operates. These hours shift during Daylight Saving Time (DST).

At Exness, the trading hours for indices during DST are as follows:

• US30, US500, USTEC, and JP225: Align with the New York market, trading is from Sunday 22:05 to Friday 20:55 (DST).
• UK100, FR40, and DE30: Follow the European markets, opening Sunday 22:30 and closing Friday 20:00 (DST).
• HK50: Opens from Sunday 22:59:59 to Friday 20:00 (DST) with multiple daily breaks.

For the most up-to-date schedule, including holiday hours and daily breaks, you can check our Help Center.

Common strategies for trading indices

Different traders have different ways of trading index CFDs. Your approach can vary depending on how the market is moving and what you’re trying to capture, whether that’s short-term price movements or longer-term trends. Here are some of the most common strategies.

Scalping

If you prefer fast-paced trading, scalping lets you capture small price movements by opening and closing positions quickly. You'll typically be working on 1 to 5-minute charts, opening and closing positions within seconds or minutes. Because you're trading frequently, tight spreads and fast execution make a real difference to your results.

Breakout trading

Indices often move within a range before making a stronger move. With breakout trading, you’re watching for the price to break past key levels, such as support or resistance, and looking to enter once that move is confirmed. The goal is to catch the move early, without jumping in too soon.

Trend trading

If you prefer to trade with the market rather than against it, trend trading is one of the most widely used approaches for index CFDs. You use tools like moving averages to identify market direction, then look for pullbacks as entry points. As long as momentum holds, you stay in the trade.

Range trading

When the market is moving sideways, you may see price bouncing between support and resistance levels. Range trading focuses on these zones, with entries typically near the lower boundary and exits near the upper boundary.

News-based trading

Major economic releases like nonfarm payrolls (NFP), inflation data, or central bank decisions can move indices sharply. Rather than predicting the outcome, you wait for the initial volatility to settle before looking for continuation or reversal setups in the direction of the move.

If you want a deeper breakdown, this guide on indices trading strategies covers how to adapt each approach to different market conditions.

How to start trading indices at Exness

Getting started is straightforward, and you can take it step by step.

1. Try a demo account

Start with a demo trading account to practice without risk.

2. Set up your account

Once you’re ready for live trading, choose an account type and fund it. 

3. Choose your platform

Trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Exness Terminal, or the Exness Trade app, based on your preference.

4. Plan your trade

Choose the index CFD you want to trade and decide on your strategy. Use the trading calculator and analytical tools to prepare before entering the market.

FAQs

1. Does Exness have S&P 500?

Yes. The S&P 500 is available as a CFD under the symbol US500, covering the 500 largest companies listed on the US stock exchange.

2. Can I trade Nasdaq 100 as a CFD at Exness?

Yes, but at Exness, the Nasdaq 100 trades under the symbol USTEC.

3. What is the leverage for index CFDs at Exness?

Leverage for index CFDs depends on the instrument, account type, and region. For US30, US500, and USTEC, leverage is set at 1:400, while other indices have a leverage of 1:200. You can check the exact leverage on your trading platform or in the instrument specifications.

4. What are the top five index CFDs to trade at Exness?

Some of the most widely traded index CFDs include US30 (Dow Jones), US500 (S&P 500), USTEC (Nasdaq 100), UK100 (FTSE 100), and HK50 (Hang Seng).