CMC Connect (Prime Brokerage) Expert Review & Rating

Prime Services

• Bespoke Trading Technology
• Multi-Asset Liquidity & Connectivity
• Custom Reporting Solutions

Customer Types

• Banks
• Hedge Funds
• Family Offices

Trade execution

CMC Connect provides institutional multi-asset execution, combining electronic market access with trading-desk support. Its Prime Services offering includes global cash equities, ETFs and synthetic single-stock exposure, with DMA and smart order routing across exchanges, MTFs and other liquidity venues. Trading is available through FIX connectivity or CMC’s institutional platform.

Cash prime brokerage

CMC Connect’s Cash Prime Brokerage combines execution and financing for institutional clients trading physical equities and ETFs. Clients can access global cash equity markets using DMA and smart order routing, with post-trade support integrated into the service. The offering is designed for institutions wanting execution and prime financing within one environment.

Synthetic prime brokerage

CMC Connect provides Synthetic Prime Brokerage for institutions wanting synthetic exposure rather than owning the underlying securities. Its offering includes synthetic single-stock exposure alongside financing and execution infrastructure. This can give hedge funds a way to establish leveraged long or short equity exposures while consolidating their trading through CMC’s institutional Prime Services platform.

Financing solutions

CMC Connect’s expanded Prime Services offering combines flexible financing with execution and post-trade support. Financing is available alongside both cash and synthetic prime brokerage, allowing institutional clients to structure equity exposure according to their strategy. The material provided does not specify financing rates, margin methodology or securities-lending terms.

Direct market access

CMC Connect provides DMA to global cash equities and ETFs, enabling institutional clients to access trading venues electronically. Orders can also use smart order routing across exchanges, MTFs and other liquidity venues worldwide. Connectivity is available through FIX or CMC Connect’s own trading platform, supporting institutions that want automated electronic execution.

Futures & options

CMC Connect provides futures and options trading across 27 exchanges, with direct electronic access to trading venues. Clients can trade through CQG and TT, with position monitoring and cash-management facilities. Its trading desk can also provide account support and voice-broking execution for institutional clients and eligible professional individuals.

Liquidity

Liquidity provision is a core part of CMC Connect’s institutional offering. Its infrastructure provides access to multiple asset classes and global trading venues, with smart order routing helping clients access available liquidity across exchanges, MTFs and other venues. CMC positions the service for banks, brokers, hedge funds and family offices.

Trading technology and connectivity

CMC Connect provides multi-asset institutional trading technology through API connectivity, FIX, its own platform and white-label solutions. CMC says it has invested more than £100 million in technology, with its infrastructure designed to give institutional clients a single connection through which they can access global markets and multiple asset classes.

Reporting

CMC Connect provides custom data delivery designed around clients’ regulatory, performance and risk requirements. Reporting forms part of its wider institutional technology offering alongside execution, connectivity and liquidity. The information provided does not detail specific portfolio analytics or reporting tools, so I wouldn’t position this as being as extensive as IBKR’s disclosed reporting suite.

Client support

CMC Connect provides institutional support through local teams and its trading desk, with 24/5 support available through its international network. Clients can receive assistance with implementation, account management and voice execution. CMC Connect works with banks, brokerages, family offices, hedge funds and dealing desks across its institutional business.