Stock index CFDs (US30, NAS100, S&P500, DAX40) are available at both brokers. XM offers 29 global indices with competitive spreads: US30 at 2.8 points average, NAS100 at 1.5 points. Exness provides 13 indices with tighter spreads: US30 at 2.0 points, NAS100 at 1.2 points. While XM has more index variety, Exness offers better pricing on the major indices that most traders actually trade. Leverage on indices is up to 1:100 at XM and 1:400 at Exness. For traders focused on US and European indices, Exness provides better conditions. For traders wanting exotic Asian or emerging market indices, XM has broader coverage.
For the full analysis, see our related comparison.
For the overall picture, check our complete XM vs Exness comparison, which covers regulation, spreads, platforms, and deposits in one place. Also see our beginner's guide if you are just starting out.
Stock Indices Comparison
| Index | XM Spread | Exness Spread | XM Leverage | Exness Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US30 (Dow Jones) | 3.0 points | 2.5 points | 1:200 | 1:400 |
| US500 (S&P 500) | 0.5 points | 0.4 points | 1:200 | 1:400 |
| US100 (NASDAQ) | 1.5 points | 1.2 points | 1:200 | 1:400 |
| UK100 (FTSE) | 1.5 points | 1.2 points | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| DE30 (DAX) | 1.5 points | 1.2 points | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| JP225 (Nikkei) | 10 points | 8 points | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| HK50 (Hang Seng) | 8 points | 6 points | 1:66 | 1:100 |
Index Trading Conditions
XM offers more index instruments (20+) versus Exness (10-15), including some less common indices like the Spanish IBEX35 and Australian ASX200. However, Exness beats XM on every major index in terms of spread (20-30% tighter) and leverage (1:400 vs 1:200 on US indices).
For Indian and Asian traders interested in US market indices (most popular for CFD trading), Exness's tighter US30 and US500 spreads mean lower entry costs on every trade. On the S&P 500, Exness's 0.4 point spread versus XM's 0.5 point saves $1 per standard lot per trade — meaningful for active index traders.
Best Times to Trade Indices
| Index | Best Session | IST Time | Spread Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| US30, US500, US100 | US market hours | 7:00 PM - 1:30 AM IST | Tightest during cash session |
| UK100, DE30 | London session | 1:30 PM - 10:00 PM IST | Tightest during European hours |
| JP225 | Tokyo session | 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM IST | Tightest during Asian hours |
Verdict: Indices
Winner: Exness. Tighter spreads on every major index, higher leverage on US indices (1:400 vs 1:200), and competitive trading conditions. XM offers more index variety (20+ vs 10-15), which matters if you trade regional indices. For the major US and European indices that most traders focus on, Exness is clearly cheaper.
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