IG has launched a new January 2026 Bonus Shares Promotion, giving eligible UK investors the chance to receive between £50 and £1,000 in free US-listed shares when they invest at least £200.
The offer is aimed at new share dealing clients and runs from 17 January to 30 January 2026, with bonus shares credited later in the year provided all conditions are met
What’s the offer?
Under the promotion, investors who open a qualifying share dealing account and place their first trade of £200 or more can receive a randomly allocated bundle of bonus shares worth up to £1,000.
The shares are selected from a predefined list of well-known US companies, including Amazon, Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, Nike, Disney, Coca-Cola, Walmart and Starbucks, among others. The bonus value is not guaranteed and is allocated using a weighted probability system.
According to the terms, 60% of participants will receive between £50 and £75, while only 1% will receive the maximum £500–£1,000 allocation, making the headline figure possible but statistically unlikely
How to claim the bonus shares
To qualify, investors must:
- Be UK residents aged 18 or over
- Open a GIA, ISA or SIPP share dealing account
- Place their first trade between 17 and 30 January 2026
- Invest at least £200
- Keep at least one position open until 28 February 2026
Even if the first trade is made within an ISA or SIPP, the bonus shares themselves will be credited to a General Investment Account (GIA) by 31 March 2026.
Because the shares are US-listed, investors must also submit a valid W-8BEN form by 30 January 2026. Failure to do so means the bonus shares may be withheld entirely
What’s the catch?
While the offer looks generous on paper, there are several important caveats.
First, the bonus value is random, and most investors should expect to receive closer to £50 than £1,000. There is no cash alternative and no top-up if the final share allocation falls below the stated band value.
Second, the bonus shares are denominated in US dollars, meaning their value will fluctuate with both the share price and the GBP/USD exchange rate. Investors may also incur foreign exchange fees when the shares are credited or eventually sold.
Finally, investors must hold an open position for over a month, meaning market movements could result in losses on the original £200 investment. As always, capital is at risk, and the promotion does not remove the fundamental risks of investing in shares.
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
To contact Richard, please see his Invesdaq profile.
