XM Shares Account Review: Trade Real Stocks with XM

The XM Shares Account is tailored for traders who want direct access to global stock markets, allowing investment in real shares rather than CFDs. With no leverage and trades executed on real stock exchanges, this account appeals to long-term investors seeking transparency and ownership. While it offers a distinct experience compared to other XM account types, it also comes with higher capital requirements and specific trading conditions.

For traders who prefer real stock ownership over leveraged trading, the XM Shares Account provides a straightforward and regulated path. But is it the right fit for your strategy? Let’s explore whether this account suits your investment goals, with key insights from the XM Guide to help you decide.

What Is the XM Shares Account?

The XM Shares Account is a trading account that allows clients to invest in real, underlying stocks listed on U.S. exchanges. Unlike CFD accounts, this option provides actual ownership of equities, does not offer leverage, and includes standard commission-based pricing. It is tailored toward long-term investors rather than short-term speculators.

How is the Shares account different from XM’s CFD accounts?

The Shares account differs significantly from XM’s CFD accounts in terms of ownership, leverage, and trading mechanics:

Real stock ownership: When trading via the Shares account, you own the underlying stock, are entitled to dividends, and cannot short-sell.
CFD trading: CFDs allow you to speculate on price movements without owning the asset, and you can use leverage up to 1:5, with the flexibility to both long and short.

In terms of trading conditions:

The Shares account charges a commission, which depends on trade size and asset.
Spreads are tight, as orders are routed directly to stock exchanges like NASDAQ and NYSE.
No leverage is provided, meaning traders must deposit 100% of the trade value.

This account is more capital-intensive and suited to investors who want to avoid margin or leverage exposure.

Which stock exchanges and equities are available in the Shares account?

XM’s Shares account provides access to real stocks listed on two major U.S. exchanges:

NYSE (New York Stock Exchange)
NASDAQ

The offering includes popular U.S. blue-chip stocks such as Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Amazon, and other large-cap companies.

Some limitations include:

No support for European or Asian stocks.
Trading hours follow the U.S. market, typically from 15:30 to 22:00 (Vietnam time, during Daylight Saving Time).

Who is the Shares account suitable for?

The XM Shares account is ideal for:

Long-term investors are looking to build a stock portfolio with actual ownership and potential dividend payouts.
Traders interested in U.S. blue-chip stocks with a buy and hold approach.
Investors avoid leverage, who can meet the 100% margin requirement for each trade.

This account is not recommended for short-term traders or scalpers, as it lacks the flexibility, leverage, and cost-efficiency of XM’s CFD accounts.

Can you trust XM for real stock investing?

When dealing with real stock investments, trust and regulatory protection are essential. XM’s Shares account operates under regulated conditions, but how strong are its investor safeguards?

Is XM licensed and regulated by any financial authority?

Yes, XM is a fully licensed and multi-regulated broker. It operates under the oversight of several well-established financial authorities:

CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) – License No. 120/10
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) – AFSL No. 443670
DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) – F003484
FSC (Financial Services Commission of Belize) – License No. IFSC/60/354/TS/18

These licenses ensure XM complies with international regulatory standards such as anti-money laundering (AML), fair trading practices, and capital adequacy.

Does XM guarantee segregated client accounts?

Yes, XM maintains segregated client funds, especially under its EU and Australian licenses:

Client money is held in separate bank accounts, apart from the company’s operational funds.
This ensures that client funds are protected even if XM experiences financial difficulty.
Segregation is mandated by CySEC and ASIC, adding a layer of trust for those using the Shares account.

This makes XM suitable for investors concerned about fund safety and operational transparency.

Is there any investor compensation or insurance program?

Yes, but it depends on the regulatory jurisdiction under which your XM account is registered:

Clients under CySEC (EU-regulated) are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which may compensate up to €20,000 per client in the event of broker insolvency.
Clients under other entities, like ASIC or FSC Belize, are not automatically covered by a compensation scheme although regulatory protections and segregation still apply.

XM itself does not provide private insurance beyond these schemes, but its track record, oversight, and compliance measures make it a trustworthy platform for real stock investment.

Who can open a Shares account at XM?

Not every trader will qualify or benefit from opening a Shares account at XM. This section breaks down who’s eligible, how much capital is needed, and whether any special verification is required.

Is the XM Shares account available to traders in Vietnam?

Yes, Vietnamese traders are eligible to open a Shares account at XM. The account is available to clients from most countries, including Vietnam, as long as XM operates legally in the jurisdiction and the trader completes the necessary verification steps.

However, it’s important to note:

Shares accounts are only offered under XM Global Limited, not through XM’s EU- or ASIC-regulated entities.
Vietnamese residents can open an account under XM Global, registered in Belize.

What is the minimum deposit required to open a Shares account?

To open a Shares account at XM, the minimum deposit is $10,000 USD. This is significantly higher than other account types (like Micro or Standard), which start from as low as $5.

Why such a high entry point?

There’s no leverage offered, so clients must fully fund their share purchases.
XM positions this account for serious, long-term investors rather than casual traders.

Are there any KYC or financial verification requirements?

Yes, opening a Shares account involves stricter KYC (Know Your Customer) and sometimes proof of financial capability:

Standard identity verification: Government-issued ID and proof of residence are mandatory.
Financial status declaration: XM may require a brief overview of your investment experience and income source.
Funding source validation: Deposits must come from accounts under the trader’s own name.

These steps help XM comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and ensure that traders fully understand the risks of trading real stocks without leverage.

What stocks can you trade with XM?

XM’s Shares account provides access to a curated list of real U.S. stocks, primarily from the NYSE and NASDAQ exchanges. This offering is tailored for investors seeking direct exposure to well-established American companies, especially in the technology, finance, and industrial sectors.

How many real stocks are supported?

XM offers access to over 100 real U.S. stock symbols through its Shares account. These stocks are:

Listed on NASDAQ and NYSE, the two largest stock exchanges in the United States.
Primarily large-cap and mid-cap companies, including widely recognized brands across various sectors.
Regularly updated to reflect liquidity, trading volume, and investor demand.

The stock list focuses on high-quality companies with solid track records, making it ideal for long-term investors.

Can you trade major tech stocks like Apple, Tesla, and Amazon?

Yes, the XM Shares account fully supports trading of many leading U.S. tech stocks, including:

Apple (AAPL)
Tesla (TSLA)
Amazon (AMZN)
Meta Platforms (META)
Microsoft (MSFT)
NVIDIA (NVDA)

These stocks are available during official U.S. market hours and are traded with no leverage and direct market pricing, reflecting the actual exchange price.

Because you’re buying the underlying asset, you may also be eligible to receive dividends (if declared), depending on holding duration and company policy.

Are European, Australian, or emerging market stocks available?

No, XM’s Shares account currently does not offer access to stocks from Europe, Australia, or emerging markets.

Only U.S.-listed equities are supported.
There is no availability of UK, German, Japanese, or Australian stocks, nor shares from smaller or developing markets.
For global exposure, traders may consider CFD trading on international stocks, which XM offers through separate account types (e.g., Standard or Ultra Low).

If your strategy includes international diversification, the Shares account may be limited. However, for investors focused on U.S. markets, it remains a strong offering.

Is the trading platform suitable for real stock investors?

The suitability of a trading platform is crucial when investing in real shares. XM’s Shares account is integrated with MetaTrader, but its usability and available tools vary compared to traditional equity investing platforms.

Does the Shares account use MetaTrader 5 or a separate platform?

Yes, the XM Shares account operates exclusively on MetaTrader 5 (MT5).

MT5 is the only platform XM used for real stock trading, as it supports exchange-traded instruments and allows stock ownership.
MT4 does not support the Shares account or real equity positions.

Traders must download or access MT5 for desktop, web, or mobile to view and manage their share positions.

Are technical analysis, charts, and investment tools supported?

Yes, MT5 offers a full suite of technical analysis tools that are helpful for stock investors, including:

Advanced charting capabilities with customizable timeframes and drawing tools
Dozens of built-in indicators, oscillators, and trend tools
One-click trading, pending orders, and multi-window layouts

However, it’s worth noting:

MT5 is geared more toward technical traders than fundamental, long-term investors
Features like dividend calendars, valuation metrics, or stock screeners are not included natively

So while MT5 is powerful, it may feel limited if you’re used to platforms like TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, or TradingView’s stock-focused dashboards.

Does XM provide corporate data or stock news?

No, XM does not natively offer corporate fundamentals, earnings reports, or real-time stock news within the Shares account or the MT5 interface.

Investors will need to use external sources (e.g., Yahoo Finance, CNBC, MarketWatch) to track news, dividend declarations, or earnings calls.
XM does publish general market research and technical analysis, but it’s more focused on forex and CFD markets.

In short, XM provides the trading infrastructure and pricing for real U.S. stocks, but it does not act as a full-service investment platform with in-depth corporate data or newsfeeds.

How competitive are XM’s stock trading fees?

Stock investors care not only about execution quality but also about how much they pay to enter and exit trades. XM’s Shares account comes with a straightforward fee structure, but how does it compare to other popular brokers?

Are XM’s trading fees fixed or percentage-based? Is there a spread?

XM uses a percentage-based commission model for its real stock trading:

No spread markup is applied to Shares trading stocks are priced at raw exchange rates.
Instead, XM charges a fixed commission per trade, typically based on a percentage of trade value (e.g., 0.10% per transaction, depending on the stock and volume).
There’s no leverage involved, so fees are tied directly to the full value of the position.

This pricing model is relatively transparent and aligns with traditional brokerage practices, especially for U.S. stocks.

Does XM charge custody fees, inactivity fees, or hidden costs?

XM keeps its Shares account relatively clean in terms of hidden charges:

No custody or holding fees for owning shares
No inactivity fee specifically for Shares accounts (although this may apply across all XM accounts after long periods of dormancy)
No dividend handling fee dividends are credited in full if eligible

However, be aware:

Standard withdrawal fees may apply depending on method and region
Exchange fees (imposed by NYSE/NASDAQ) may be passed through indirectly

Overall, XM avoids many of the “surprise” fees found in traditional custodial accounts, especially in Europe or Asia, aligning with the Terms & Conditions XM for full transparency and trader protection.

The XM Shares Account is ideal for investors who want to trade actual stocks with full market exposure, without the complexities of margin or leverage. It’s a solid choice for long-term strategies, offering access to major global exchanges and real-time pricing. If your priority is genuine stock investment within a trusted platform, the XM Shares Account delivers just be prepared for a more traditional trading experience.

Lina Vexley

Lina Vexley is a forex education specialist with a passion for guiding new traders. She offers step-by-step lessons on MetaTrader and risk control, making XM accessible and practical for traders of all experience levels. Email: [email protected]