Choosing a broker firm to trade our equity futures and options for you. If you want to deal in futures and options and find that your existing share dealing broker does not offer the level of service and/or advice you require, you may have to use a different broker to your normal one. So, what is the best way to go about selecting one that does? Ready to select a broker? Click on a logo to find our more about Liffe's Options & Futures Partner Brokers and what they can offer you.

In addition to Liffe's Options & Futures Partner Brokers there are other brokers who provide access to our range of equity futures and options. Click here to find an alphabetical list of these brokers, how you can contact them and which industry associations they belong to.

When selecting a broker it is important to consider the different types of services available. They are briefly described as:

Execution only
The execution-only broker offers a dealing service with no element of advice. This type of service is popular with experienced investors who make their own investments decisions and call their broker simply to instruct them to trade on their behalf. If you are new to futures and options you should consider looking for a broker who is also prepared to offer some advice, although advice usually attracts commissions.

Advisor
An advisory broker will deal on your behalf and offer advice where required. The relationship should be two-way and the broker will not be keen to discuss ideas on a regular basis if deals never materialise from these discussions. It is normal for advisory service commission rates to be higher than for an execution only service.

Discretionary
With this service the broker makes all the investment decisions on behalf of you, informing you once deals have been made rather than before or during. Broker commission rates for this type of service are more likely to be linked to the value of the portfolio and its ongoing performance under the broker's discretion.

In summary, if you are new to futures and options, a dealing-with-advice service should be considered until you become familiar with the market and gain confidence in your views of the market and are able to monitor your progress expectations.

Disclaimer
The term “Partner Broker” and inclusion of any Partner Broker firms on this page merely denotes membership in the LIFFE Options and Futures Partner Programme, which relates to the promotion of equity products to retail investors. For the avoidance of doubt however, usage of the term "Partner" in relation to those firms does not denote any legal partnership relationship with LIFFE, and Partner Broker firms have no legal authority to act on behalf of or otherwise bind LIFFE.