Pepperstone is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker that offers traders and investors access to a wide variety of trading markets and instruments. The broker is known for its commitment to transparency and innovation. Pepperstone provides a comprehensive trading experience backed by top-tier regulatory oversight from authorities like ASIC, CySEC, FCA, BaFin, DFSA, CMA, and SCB.
With over 1,200 trading instruments, Pepperstone ensures traders can diversify their portfolios across multiple markets. Whether you’re interested in forex, commodities, or cryptocurrencies, the broker’s wide range of instruments ensures options for every trading strategy and risk preference.
In this article, we’ll explore each market and instrument category in detail, examining their features, trading conditions, and the advantages they offer. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the diverse trading opportunities available with Pepperstone and how to leverage them to achieve your trading goals.
Pepperstone Available Markets and Instruments ( Forex and CFDs)
Pepperstone is a trusted forex and CFD broker offering a wide range of trading instruments to suit the needs of beginner and experienced traders alike. With access to global markets, Pepperstone allows you to trade forex, commodities, indices, currency indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, ETFs, forwards, and futures—all as CFDs. This means you can speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset, offering flexibility and efficiency in trading. Below is a detailed breakdown of the available markets and instruments you can trade on Pepperstone.
Forex:
Forex trading is one of Pepperstone’s core offerings, providing access to over 60 currency pairs. These include:
- Major Pairs: Popular pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, are known for their high liquidity and tight spreads.
- Minor Pairs: Pairs like EUR/GBP and AUD/JPY, offer opportunities outside the major currencies.
- Exotic Pairs: Trade less commonly traded currencies like USD/TRY and EUR/ZAR for higher volatility and potential profits.
Pepperstone’s advanced trading platforms and competitive pricing make it an ideal choice for forex traders, whether scalpers, day traders, or long-term investors. To start forex trading, you can read our content on how to start forex trading on Pepperstone.
Commodities:
Commodities are a versatile asset class, attracting traders who aim to hedge against inflation, diversify their portfolios, or capitalize on macroeconomic trends. Pepperstone provides access to a wide range of commodities through CFDs, allowing traders to speculate on price movements without owning the physical asset. With tight spreads, leveraged trading options, and advanced trading platforms, Pepperstone ensures a seamless commodity trading experience.
Commodities are generally categorized into two main types:
- Hard Commodities: These are natural resources such as metals, oil, and coal that are extracted or mined.
- Soft Commodities: These are agricultural products like coffee, sugar, and cotton that are grown rather than mined.
Hard Commodities:
Hard commodities include resources that are extracted or mined, making them essential for industrial and economic development. These commodities are highly influenced by global infrastructure projects, industrial demand, and supply chain logistics.
Metals:
Metals are among the most traded commodities due to their intrinsic value and demand across various industries. They are broadly classified into:
- Precious Metals: Known for their role as safe-haven assets, these are widely used for wealth preservation and in jewelry. Example of precious Metals:Â
- Gold (XAU/USD): A traditional safe-haven asset.
- Silver (XAG/USD): Used in both industrial applications and as a store of value.
- Industrial Metals: Essential for manufacturing and construction, these metals respond to global industrial demand. Eg:Â
- Copper: Essential for electrical wiring and construction.
- Aluminum: Widely used in transportation and packaging industries.
- Energies
Energy commodities are fundamental to the global economy, as they power industries, transportation, and households. Trading energy assets allows traders to benefit from price fluctuations caused by geopolitical events, environmental policies, and changes in demand.
- Crude Oil:
– WTI (West Texas Intermediate): A benchmark for U.S. oil.
– Brent Crude: The global standard for oil pricing.
- Natural Gas: Used for heating and electricity generation.
- Heating Oil: A derivative of crude oil used for residential and commercial heating.
Soft Commodities:
Soft commodities are agricultural products that are often subject to seasonal demand and weather-related supply disruptions. They are a popular choice for traders looking to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on unique market movements.
- Coffee: A globally traded commodity influenced by weather and consumer demand.
- Cocoa: Used in chocolate production, with prices affected by harvest conditions.
- Sugar: Essential in food production, influenced by global consumption trends.
- Cotton: Key in the textile industry, with prices driven by both demand and crop yields.
Trading commodities with Pepperstone provides leverage options, tight spreads, and access to global markets, allowing you to capitalize on macroeconomic events and supply-demand dynamics. To start commodity Trading with Pepperstone your can read our content about How to Start Commodity Trading on Pepperstone.
Indices:
Indices are an essential asset class for traders seeking to invest in the performance of entire sectors or economies without the need to trade individual stocks. At Pepperstone, traders can access a broad range of indices CFDs, offering exposure to major global markets. Indices reflect the overall performance of a group of stocks, representing the health of a specific market or industry. Trading indices with Pepperstone allows you to take advantage of market trends, economic reports, and geopolitical events that influence large segments of the market.
Pepperstone provides access to a wide range of indices from major global markets, including North American, European, Asian, African, and Australian indices.
Types of Indices Offered by Pepperstone
Pepperstone offers various types of indices CFDs, each representing a group of stocks from different regions or sectors. Here’s a breakdown of the key types of indices available for trading:
North American Indices:
Pepperstone offers popular North American indices. Here are some of them
- S&P 500: The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index includes 500 of the largest companies in the U.S. and is one of the most widely followed equity indices.
- Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA): Comprising 30 major U.S. companies, the DJIA is one of the oldest and most recognized stock indices in the world.
- Nasdaq 100: Comprising 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, this index includes leading tech companies.
European Indices:
Pepperstone provides European indices to traders and investors. Here are the example of European indices
- FTSE 100: A stock index of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, representing a significant portion of the UK’s economy.
- DAX 30: A stock market index consisting of the 30 major German companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
- CAC 40: Represents the 40 largest publicly traded companies on the Euronext Paris exchange.
Asian Indices:
Pepperstone allows traders to trade popular Asian indices. They include
- Nikkei 225: A benchmark index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, consisting of 225 major Japanese companies.
- Hang Seng Index: A market-capitalization-weighted index of the largest companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- Shanghai Composite: Tracks the performance of all stocks listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, representing China’s economic growth.
African Indices:
Pepperstone offers African indices too. Some of them include
- Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) All Share: The benchmark index for South Africa’s largest companies, offering exposure to key sectors of the South African economy.
- Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 (NSE 20): Represents the top 20 companies in Kenya, offering a glimpse into the performance of East Africa’s leading businesses.
Australian Indices:
Pepperstone allows traders to trade popular Australian indices.
- Aus 200: The benchmark index of the Australian Stock Exchange, reflecting the performance of the 200 largest companies in Australia.
Trading indices with Pepperstone allows you to capitalize on macroeconomic events, sector performance, and global financial trends. Whether you’re looking to trade major stock market indices or sector-specific indices, Pepperstone provides the tools and resources for success.
To start trading indices with Pepperstone, you can read our detailed guide on How to Start Trading Indices on Pepperstone.
Cryptocurrencies:
Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for security, making them resistant to counterfeiting and fraud. Unlike traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology. This decentralization allows for greater transparency and security in transactions.
Pepperstone offers access to a range of cryptocurrencies, categorized into major cryptocurrencies, minor cryptocurrencies, and cryptocurrency indices. Whether you’re interested in the most established coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum or seeking exposure to emerging altcoins, Pepperstone provides the tools and platforms for effective trading. Here are the categories of cryptocurrencies on Pepperstone
Major Cryptocurrencies:
Major cryptocurrencies are the most widely recognized and traded digital assets, known for their liquidity and market stability. These include some of the largest and most established cryptocurrencies in the market:
- Bitcoin (BTC): The first and most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is often considered a store of value and a hedge against inflation.
- Ethereum (ETH): Known for its smart contract functionality, Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and is widely used for decentralized applications (dApps).
- Litecoin (LTC): Often referred to as the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold,” Litecoin is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency that offers faster transaction times compared to Bitcoin.
Minor Cryptocurrencies:
Minor cryptocurrencies are lesser-known coins that can offer higher risk and reward potential. While not as widely traded as major cryptocurrencies, these altcoins provide opportunities for diversification in a crypto portfolio:
- Dash (DASH): A privacy-focused cryptocurrency designed to facilitate fast and inexpensive transactions.
- Cardano (ADA): A blockchain platform known for its use of evidence-based methodologies to provide secure and scalable decentralized applications.
- Polkadot (DOT): A multi-chain platform that enables different blockchains to interoperate, aiming to solve the problem of blockchain fragmentation.
Cryptocurrency Indices:
Cryptocurrency indices allow traders to track the performance of multiple cryptocurrencies simultaneously. These indices offer a diversified approach to crypto trading, enabling traders to gain exposure to the broader crypto market without the need to trade individual coins.
- Example: A cryptocurrency index might track a basket of major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, providing a broader reflection of the overall crypto market.
Whether you’re interested in trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, or exploring emerging cryptocurrencies, Pepperstone provides all the resources you need to succeed in the digital asset space. With 24/7 access, tight spreads, and a diverse range of cryptocurrencies, Pepperstone offers a dynamic and flexible trading environment.
To begin trading cryptocurrencies on Pepperstone, read our detailed guide on How to Start Cryptocurrency Trading on Pepperstone.
Shares CFDs:
Trading shares with Pepperstone allows you to gain exposure to the equity markets without owning the underlying assets. By trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), traders can speculate on the price movements of stocks from major global exchanges. Pepperstone offers a broad selection of shares from top companies, enabling you to diversify your trading portfolio with ease.
Categories of Share CFDs on Pepperstone
Pepperstone provides access to share CFDs from several key global markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Here’s a look at the different categories of share CFDs available on the platform:
US Shares:
The US stock market is home to some of the world’s largest and most influential companies. Traders can access a wide range of US stocks, including those from the technology, finance, healthcare, and consumer goods sectors: Here are examples of US shares.
- Apple Inc. (AAPL)
- Amazon.com (AMZN)
- Microsoft (MSFT)
- Tesla (TSLA)
UK Shares:
The UK stock market offers a diverse set of companies, especially those listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Investors can trade shares from multinational corporations and key players in industries like finance, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Here are examples of UK Shares:
- Barclays (BARC)
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
- BP (BP)
- HSBC (HSBC)
European Shares:
Pepperstone also provides access to share CFDs from various European stock markets, including the Euronext and Deutsche Börse. These markets feature a wide range of companies, particularly from sectors such as banking, automotive, and telecommunications:
- Example:
- BMW (BMW)
- Siemens (SIE)
- L’Oréal (OR)
- Airbus (AIR)
Asian Shares:
Asia is home to some of the world’s most active and diverse stock markets, including the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). Traders can access share CFDs from major Asian corporations:
- Example:
- Sony Corporation (6758.T)
- Alibaba Group (9988.HK)
- Tencent Holdings (0700.HK)
- Toyota Motor Corporation (7203.T)
Australian Shares:
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) offers share CFDs from Australian companies in various sectors, such as mining, banking, and telecommunications:
- Example:
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)
- BHP Group (BHP)
- Telstra Corporation (TLS)
- Woolworths Group (WOW)
Share CFD trading with Pepperstone offers an excellent opportunity to speculate on stock price movements without having to own the shares. Whether you’re trading stocks from the US, UK, Europe, or Asia, Pepperstone provides access to a wide range of shares with tight spreads, leverage options, and flexible trading conditions.
To begin trading share CFDs with Pepperstone, read our detailed guide on How to Start Share CFD Trading on Pepperstone.
ETFs:
ETFs are investment funds that hold a collection of assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities and are traded on major stock exchanges like individual stocks. They allow traders to gain exposure to various markets and sectors without having to purchase each individual asset. Pepperstone offers a broad selection of ETFs across different categories, including the Asia-Pacific region, North America, South America, and Africa, as well as specific sectors like energy, mining, financials, and emerging markets.
Trading ETFs as CFDs on Pepperstone provides the advantage of flexibility, leverage, and the ability to go long or short on positions, making them an ideal choice for traders seeking diversified exposure to global markets.
Categories of ETFs on Pepperstone
Pepperstone offers ETFs from various regions and sectors, providing traders with opportunities to diversify their portfolios across multiple asset classes. Below is a breakdown of the available ETF categories on the platform:
Asia-Pacific ETFs:
ETFs from the Asia-Pacific region allow traders to gain exposure to key markets in this dynamic and rapidly growing part of the world. These ETFs include companies from countries like Japan, China, South Korea, and Australia.
- Example:
- iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan ETF (AAXJ)
- Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (VPL)
Banks and Financials ETFs
Financial sector ETFs provide exposure to companies in banking, insurance, and other financial services. These ETFs allow traders to speculate on the performance of financial institutions and capitalize on market trends such as interest rates and economic growth.
- Example:
- Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF)
- iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF)
Bonds ETFs:
Bond ETFs are designed to give investors access to fixed-income securities. They allow traders to speculate on interest rates and bond prices, making them a popular choice for hedging and portfolio diversification.
- Example:
- iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD)
- Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND)
Emerging Markets ETFs:
Emerging market ETFs focus on stocks and bonds from developing economies, offering traders exposure to high-growth markets in regions like Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. These ETFs are ideal for those looking to capitalize on the growth potential of emerging economies.
- Example:
- iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM)
- Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO)
Energy and Industrial ETFs:
Energy and industrial ETFs provide exposure to sectors that are critical to global economic development. Traders can speculate on the performance of energy companies, including oil, gas, and renewable energy, as well as industrial companies involved in infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation.
- Example:
- Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE)
- Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI)
Indices ETFs:
Indices ETFs track the performance of major stock market indices, such as the S&P 500, NASDAQ-100, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. These ETFs provide a way to gain exposure to the overall market performance, rather than individual companies.
- Example:
- SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
- Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)
Mining and Commodities ETFs:
Mining and commodities ETFs give traders exposure to the performance of natural resources, including precious metals, industrial metals, and energy commodities. These ETFs allow traders to speculate on the price movements of commodities like gold, silver, copper, and oil.
- Example:
- SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
- iShares Silver Trust (SLV)
Regional ETFs:
North America ETFs:
North American ETFs focus on stocks and bonds from the United States and Canada, giving traders access to some of the world’s most established and influential markets.
- Example:
- iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan ETF (AAXJ)
- iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility ETF (USMV)
South America and Africa ETFs:
South America and Africa ETFs provide exposure to markets in these regions, allowing traders to gain access to emerging economies, resource-rich countries, and companies from industries such as agriculture, mining, and energy.
- Example:
- iShares MSCI All South Africa ETF (EZA)
- Global X MSCI China Financials ETF (CHIX)
ETFs provide an excellent way to diversify and speculate on different asset classes with minimal risk and cost. Whether you’re looking to trade ETFs from the Asia-Pacific region, emerging markets, or energy and commodities sectors, Pepperstone offers a wide selection of ETFs to suit every trading strategy.
To get started with ETF trading on Pepperstone, read our comprehensive guide on How to Start ETF Trading on Pepperstone.
Currency Indices:
Currency indices are a collection of currencies grouped together to track their performance relative to a base currency. By trading currency indices with Pepperstone, you can access a range of instruments that allow you to profit from global currency fluctuations without the need to trade individual pairs. These indices measure the strength or weakness of a currency based on its performance against a basket of other major currencies, making it easier to diversify and implement strategic trading decisions.
Pepperstone offers a variety of currency indices, including the popular US Dollar Index (DXY), Euro Index (EURX), and British Pound Index (GBPX), along with others that track baskets of currencies from different parts of the world.
Available Indices on Pepperstone:
Pepperstone provides an extensive selection of currency indices that can be traded as CFDs, offering flexibility and access to a wide array of global markets. The following are the main currency indices available for trading:
US Dollar Index (DXY)
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is one of the most widely traded currency indices. It measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) relative to a basket of six major currencies: Euro (EUR), Japanese Yen (JPY), British Pound (GBP), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Swedish Krona (SEK), and Swiss Franc (CHF). This index is a key indicator of the USD’s strength in global markets.
Euro Index (EURX)
The Euro Index (EURX) tracks the performance of the Euro (EUR) against a basket of other major currencies. As the second most traded currency in the world, the Euro is an essential component of global forex markets, and this index provides an excellent opportunity for traders to speculate on the EUR’s movements.
British Pound Index (GBPX)
The British Pound Index (GBPX) measures the value of the British Pound (GBP) against a basket of other major currencies. The GBP is one of the oldest and most widely used currencies in global trade, and this index provides a unique opportunity to gauge the performance of the Pound among other currencies.
Trading currency indices with Pepperstone is simple and straightforward. The first step is to create an account with Pepperstone, then you can access a wide range of indices through the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or cTrader platforms. Once you have chosen your preferred platform, you can start analyzing the markets and placing trades on currency indices.
For a more detailed guide on how to get started with currency index trading, you can refer to our content on How to Start Currency Index Trading on Pepperstone.
Final Verdict:
Pepperstone offers traders access to over 1,200 instruments across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, ETFs, and currency indices. This wide selection allows traders to diversify their portfolios and take advantage of opportunities in different asset classes. With offerings in major and minor forex pairs, precious metals, energies, agricultural commodities, and popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, Pepperstone caters to a variety of trading strategies.
Regulated by top authorities like ASIC, FCA, and CySEC, Pepperstone ensures a secure and reliable trading environment. The broker provides advanced platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, along with competitive spreads and leverage options. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader, Pepperstone provides the tools and market access needed to execute strategies and meet your trading goals.