Frequently Asked Questions: Trading

These are the most commonly asked questions about trading. 

• What methods can I use to place a trade?
• What dealing types do you offer?
• What are the charges for placing the trade?
• On which markets am I able to trade?
• Which markets can I trade in for ISAs and SIPPs?
• Can I trade in European stocks?
• What is my trading limit?
• What do I do if I want someone to trade on my behalf?
• What time limit can I set for Limit and Stop orders online?
• How do I find out the price of a share?
• How do I find the symbol for an equity?
• Am I guaranteed the quoted price when I place a trade?
• What if I make a mistake when placing my trade?
• What is a settlement period?
• What happens if I do not settle my trade?
• How much money can I use to place a trade?
• How do I know when my shares have been sold and at what price?
• Can I deal/access the website 24 hours a day?
• Can I use future sales proceeds to cover purchases?
• Can I deposit funds with Barclays Stockbrokers for future dealing?
• Can I trade in warrants online?
• What is a residual stock?
• What is CREST settlement?
• Do Barclays Stockbrokers trade in residual stocks?

What methods can I use to place a trade?

You can place a deal either online or by telephone. We cannot accept deal instructions by e-mail for security reasons.

 

What dealing types do you offer?

During market hours you can place a ‘Quote & Deal’, ‘At Best’ ,‘Limit’, 'Stop' and our award-winning ‘Trailing Stop’ order. Outside market hours you will be able to place an ‘At Best’, ‘Limit’, ‘Stop' or ‘Trailing Stop’ order.

 

What are the charges for placing the trade?

Dealing rates vary by account type. See our Rates & Charges for specific details on our dealing charges.

 

On which markets am I able to trade?

You can trade in UK equities listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), most stocks listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), selected Off-Exchange (PLUS) stocks, selected European securities through the International Retail Service (IRS) which deal and settle in sterling, selected unit trusts and Open Ended Investment Companies (OEICs). If we cannot trade in your selected stock online it may still be possible to trade using our telephone service.

UK Government securities (Gilts), bonds, other unit trusts and OEICs can only be traded through our telephone service.

 

Which markets can I trade in for ISAs and SIPPs?

These tax-efficient accounts are Government regulated, so you can only trade on certain types of market. ISA and SIPP eligible stocks with Barclays Stockbrokers are from the London Stock Exchange, IRS and eligible qualifying funds. Check that the stock you want to buy in your ISA and SIPP is eligible before trying to trade on these accounts.

 

Can I trade in European stocks?

Yes, you can trade in European stocks online in your existing accounts if they are settled through CREST for London Stock Exchange’s International Retail Service. All other European and overseas stocks can only be traded through Foreign Dealing Account, and these trades must be placed by telephone. You cannot trade in non-IRS stocks through an ISA or SIPP account.

 

 

What is my trading limit?

Each account you hold will have its own trading limit*, also known as ‘Available to Invest’.

Your ‘Available to Invest’ is the higher of your Calculated Trading Limit or Permanent Trading limit, plus cash available to invest in your account.

Your Calculated Trading Limit is automatically calculated on a daily basis and is based on the value of stock at close of business the previous day and cash held in your account.

Your Permanent Trading Limit is £7,500 providing a Direct Debit Instruction Form has been signed. On request you can apply to have your Permanent Trading Limit increased. Documentary evidence of assets may be required to do this.

* For Investment ISA accounts you can only trade using cash held in your account.

 

What do I do if I want someone to trade on my behalf?

For someone else to have authority to trade on your account, just complete, sign and return a User Access application form. You can download this form from the website or call us to ask for a form to be posted to you. We are not able to accept this request by email.

User Access application

 

What time limit can I set for Limit and Stop orders online?

Online you can set a Limit or Stop order up to a maximum of 30 business days.

 

How do I find out the price of a share?

You can get real-time prices from 2 points of access after logging onto your account. These can be found in the left hand menu throughout the site, or when on the dealing pages, select ‘find stock’ on the ‘Stocks – Enter Order’ page.

 

How do I find the symbol for an equity?

The Symbol Lookup facility is available either by using the real-time prices tool found in the left hand menu throughout the site, or on the deal pages, select the ‘find stock’ link.

 

Am I guaranteed the quoted price when I place a trade?

When you place a ‘Quote & Deal’ order through Barclays Stockbrokers we will obtain the best price available to us for you Barclays Stockbrokers Price Improver® - you will have 15 seconds to accept this price.

 

What if I make a mistake when placing my trade?

Don't panic. You will be asked to confirm your instruction before it is sent to us; and at this point you have the opportunity to cancel. For At Best and Limit Orders only, if you have already confirmed the order, and still want to cancel, there may be a short time period in which you can access the order on the ‘Order Status’ screen while it is still pending and cancel the order.

 

What is a settlement period?

Most equity trades are conducted for a rolling standard settlement period of three business days.

 

 

What happens if I do not settle my trade?

If you don’t pay for your share purchase then we reserve the right to sell your investment and suspend trading on your account. You will be liable for all re-sale costs. Commission is applied to the re-sale at current telephone rates and the trade is placed at the prevailing market price. Late settlement charges may also be applied

 

How much money can I use to place a trade?

Check the ‘Account View’ in ‘Portfolio & Accounts’, or ‘Overview’ in the ‘Home’ tab for the amount you can invest. Also if you are placing a trade, the amount you have available will be displayed to you at this time.

 

How do I know when my shares have been sold and at what price?

You will receive confirmation immediately for most of your trades once the trade has been placed whether it is by phone or online. You will receive either confirmation of the trade or an 'order number'. Where the trade is not placed immediately check 'Order Status' under ‘Deal’ tab which will show when the order has been traded.
The ‘account history’ screen within the ‘Portfolio & Accounts’ area will also provide an order confirmation for your records. We will also send you a contract note the business day after your trade is placed.

 

Can I deal/access the website 24 hours a day?

Yes, you can access your accounts 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you place an order while the market is open then we will try to carry out the trade straightaway. If you place an order outside of the market opening hours, it will be accepted but presented for execution when the market re-opens subject to any limit price specified by you.

 

Can I use future sales proceeds to cover purchases?

Trades must be settled strictly as per the settlement day stated on your contract note. Barclays Stockbrokers will charge debit interest and administration charges if your account is not settled on the settlement date.

 

Can I deposit funds with Barclays Stockbrokers for future dealing?

Yes, you can deposit funds with us and they will accrue interest at our published rates. See ‘rates & charges’ for our interest rates.

 

Can I trade in warrants online?

Yes, you can buy and sell the majority of warrants online within your MarketMaster, Company dealing and Investment clubs accounts. 

 

What is a residual stock?

A residual stock is one that does not settle through CREST. It is called 'residual' because the vast majority of trades are settled through CREST.

 

What is CREST settlement?

CREST is the system that enables settlement to take place electronically, and removes the need for a share certificate.

 

Do Barclays Stockbrokers trade in residual stocks?

Yes, if you call to trade in a residual stock the trade would be placed in the same way as a CREST stock. No special restrictions apply. However, residual stocks are subject to a longer settlement period – usually 10 business days following the date of the trade.