Choosing the right online brokerage is a crucial step for any investor looking to diversify their portfolio beyond local shores. While factors like fees, platform usability, and customer support are important, one of the most critical aspects to consider is the direct investment market access offered by a broker.
We’ve researched 45 popular online brokerages and compiled their global market access information to help you make an informed choice.
Why Does Global Market Access Matter?
Global market access refers to the ability of an online broker to provide you with direct investment opportunities in stock exchanges and financial markets around the world. Here’s why this is so important.
- Diversification: Investing in a variety of markets reduces your reliance on a single economy, spreading risk and potentially increasing stability in your portfolio.
- Growth Opportunities: Different regions and countries offer unique growth prospects. Access to global markets allows you to capitalize on these varied economic cycles and emerging industries worldwide.
- Access to Specific Companies: If you have a particular interest in a company listed on a foreign exchange (e.g., a tech giant in the US, a major bank in the UK, or a growing firm in Asia), direct market access is essential.
- Access to Specific Companies: If you have a particular interest in a company listed on a foreign exchange (e.g., a tech giant in the US, a major bank in the UK, or a growing firm in Asia), direct market access is essential.
What to Look For in Market Access
When evaluating a broker’s global reach, consider the following
- Major Global Exchanges: Does the broker offer access to key markets like the NASDAQ and NYSE (USA), LSE (London), ASX (Australia), HKEX (Hong Kong), NSE/BSE (India), or DFM (Dubai)? These exchanges list many of the world’s largest and most influential companies.
- Investment Strategies: Beyond the major exchanges, some brokers provide access to a wider array of smaller or specialized markets, which can be valuable for niche investment strategies.
- International Client Support: Confirm if the broker accepts clients from your country of residence and if there are any specific restrictions based on citizenship, visa limitations or tax residency. This is crucial for seamless account opening and operation.
- Fund-Based Access: Some brokers may provide access to global markets for both stocks and bonds primarily through specific funds (ETFs, Mutual Funds) rather than direct ownership of individual securities. This can still offer diversification, but it’s important to understand the underlying investment vehicle.
- Availability in Diversiview: For users of Diversiview, checking if you can connect to your broker to import your portfolios can streamline your portfolio analysis and optimization to maximize your changes of best expected return.
Making an Informed Decision
Understanding which markets an online broker supports is fundamental to aligning your investment strategy with your brokerage choice. It empowers you to build a truly global and diversified portfolio.
Below, you will find a comprehensive table outlining popular online brokers and the specific global markets where they offer direct investment access.
Click anywhere on the table to reveal an expanded view of each online broker’s detailed market support.
| Online Brokerage | International Clients | Available in Diversiview |
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Note: Data sourced in June 2025. This table is for informational purposes only.
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