Can I try a trading platform before I sign up?

Yes, many platforms offer a free trial or demo account to let you to test the features they offer.

How to buy US shares in Australia?

If you're looking to buy US shares from Australia, you'll need to sign up with a broker that has access to the US market. Once you've found a broker that allows you to invest in the US, you'll need to create an account, prove who you are and deposit money into the account. This should be transferred to US dollars for you. After that, it's just a matter of choosing who you want to buy.

Can foreigners buy stocks in the US?

There are actually no citizenship requirements for owning stocks of any American company. Instead, there are foreign taxes that you have to be aware of. You'll need to fill out a W8BEN to avoid these.

Can Australians buy US shares?

Yes, Australians can buy US shares. There are actually no foreign citizenship requirements when it comes to buying and selling US stocks. So regardless of where you are from, you can buy US stocks.

How do US brokers make money with $0 brokerage fees

Basically, they are making their money through other fees. These usually include foreign exchange fees or making you pay for additional features on their shares.

Can I transfer US shares?

If you are looking to transfer your US shares from broker to broker, it's usually a pretty simple process. In most instances, the brokers will do most of the work for you. After all, they want your business. You're usually required to either reach out to their customer service or fill in a form.

What is the minimum amount of US shares I can buy?

The US runs off a custodian model meaning the brokers themselves are the legal owners of the shares although they give you the same rights as shareholders. The good news with this model is that it means you can invest in fractional share ownership. This means you can start investing for less.

Why should you invest in the S&P 500?

Simply, the S&P 500 is home to some of the largest and most successful companies in the world, which have a strong track record of growth. Over many decades, US markets tend to outperform Australian stocks on average. Despite this, only 16% of Australian investors own international shares, according to the most recent ASX investor study . While past performance does not guarantee future success, history suggests investors could increase their returns by investing in the S&P 500 over the ASX 200.