XM: Evaluation and Analysis
In-depth review of the XM broker. What can you trade, leverage, platforms, account types, minimum deposit, and spreads
XM is a forex broker headquartered in Cyprus, established in 2009. This article will provide a comprehensive review of XM, including its trading instruments, account types, deposit and withdrawal policies, regulatory status, trading platforms, and other important features.
XM Overview
XM is a globally recognized forex broker based in Limassol, Cyprus. The company offers a wide range of financial trading services across various asset classes, including forex, commodities, precious metals, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Instruments
XM provides a diverse range of financial products, covering the following asset classes:
- Forex: Including major currency pairs (e.g., EUR/USD), minor currency pairs (e.g., GBP/JPY), and exotic currency pairs (e.g., USD/TRY).
- Energy: Including Brent Crude Oil, WTI Crude Oil, and Natural Gas.
- Precious Metals: Gold and Silver.
- Indices: Such as DAX (Germany 30 Index), Dow Jones (DJIA), Nasdaq (NASDAQ), S&P 500, AUS200, CAC40 (France 40 Index), FTSE (UK 100 Index), etc.
- Stocks: Covering major US stocks like Tesla (TSLA), Meta (META), Apple (AAPL), as well as stocks from Canada, Brazil, the UK, France, Germany, and other countries.
- Cryptocurrencies: Including major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
Account Types
XM offers three main types of accounts:
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XM Ultra Low Micro Account:
- Suitable for beginners, with spreads starting from 0.6 pips, no commission, and a minimum deposit of $5.
- Islamic account option available (swap-free account).
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XM Ultra Low Standard Account:
- Suitable for traders with some experience, with spreads starting from 0.6 pips, no commission, and a minimum deposit of $5.
- Islamic account option available (swap-free account).
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XM Zero Account:
- Suitable for scalping, with spreads starting from 0.0 pips, commission charges apply, and a minimum deposit of $5.
Leverage
XM offers high leverage options, depending on the account type and regulatory region:
- Global: Up to 1:1000 leverage
- EU and Australia: Forex leverage up to 1:30, other assets such as indices and precious metals up to 1:20.
Deposits and Withdrawals
- Minimum Deposit: $5
- Deposit Methods: Includes credit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets (such as Neteller, Skrill), and cryptocurrency payments.
- Withdrawal Methods: Same as deposit methods, with a minimum withdrawal amount of $5. For international bank transfers, if the amount is less than $200, bank fees may apply.
Bonuses and Promotions
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Deposit Bonuses:
- 50% deposit bonus for deposits up to $1000
- 20% deposit bonus for deposits above $1000, with a total bonus up to $5000
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No Deposit Bonus:
- New clients receive a $30 or €25 no deposit bonus. The bonus cannot be withdrawn, but the profit earned can be withdrawn.
Trading Platforms
XM offers the following main trading platforms:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Widely used trading platform with support for automated trading, rich charting tools, and technical indicators.
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Upgraded version of MT4 with additional timeframes and trading features, supporting more markets.
- WebTrader: Web-based trading platform that does not require downloading a client, providing convenience and speed.
- Mobile Apps: Available for iOS and Android systems, allowing trading anytime and anywhere.
Fees and Commissions
- Spreads: Spreads for Ultra Low Micro and Standard Accounts start from 0.6 pips; spreads for Zero Account start from 0.0 pips but commissions apply.
- Commissions: Zero Account charges $4 per trade (one-way).
- Inactivity Fee: An inactivity fee of $5 per month is charged if the account remains inactive for over 90 days.
Regulation and Safety
XM is regulated by multiple international regulatory bodies, including:
- Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC): Provides regulatory protection and client fund safeguarding.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Ensures fair trading and transparent operations.
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): Provides strict financial regulation.
Negative Balance Protection
XM offers negative balance protection, ensuring clients do not lose more than their account balance. If the account balance turns negative, XM will reset it to 0, and clients will not incur additional losses.
Margin Calls and Stop-Outs
- Margin Call: Margin call level is 100%. If the account balance falls below the required margin, a margin call will be issued.
- Stop-Out Level: Margin stop-out level is 50%. When free margin falls below 50%, the platform will automatically close positions to maintain free margin above the threshold.
Hedging and Copy Trading
- Hedging: XM allows holding both long and short positions of the same asset within the same account.
- Copy Trading: Through the MQL5 platform, clients can copy other traders' strategies, enabling social trading.
Maximum Lot Size and Spreads
- Maximum Lot Size: For forex currency pairs, the maximum lot size starts from 0.01 lots and can go up to 100 lots. The maximum lot size for other trading instruments such as indices and precious metals may vary.
- Spreads: Spreads start from 0, depending on the account type. XM Zero Account has spreads starting from 0, with commissions; XM Ultra Low Micro and Standard Accounts have spreads starting from 0.6 pips, with no commissions.
Micro Accounts and Free VPS
- Micro Accounts: Support trading micro lot sizes (1,000 units), i.e., 0.01 lots.
- Free VPS: Eligible clients can receive a free VPS. Conditions include a minimum account balance of $500 and trading at least 2 standard lots or 200 micro lots per month. If not eligible, clients can request an XM VPS for a monthly fee of $28.
Summary
XM is a globally renowned forex broker offering a wide range of trading instruments and flexible account types suitable for traders of varying experience levels. Its high leverage options, low minimum deposit requirements, and extensive rewards and promotions make it a popular choice among traders. With advanced trading platforms and robust customer support, XM provides a stable and reliable trading environment.
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