Buying a stock means buying a real share in a company. You become the beneficial owner of the shares, which are settled and held in custody on your behalf in a nominee account.
Stocks are unleveraged – any position represents the full value of the shares – and settle on standard market cycles, typically one or two business days after a trade depending on the market.
You can only buy shares and subsequently sell shares you hold; short selling is not available. Unlike stock CFDs, which give price exposure without ownership, stocks represent direct ownership.
*Stocks are available in selected countries and are currently limited to existing clients.