ICM offers online trading in all major global stock market indices. Index margin requirements are the lowest available at approximately 1%.  Trading with another broker or on the futures exchange will require posting 5 to 10 times more margin for the same transaction.  Additional benefits include:
Spreads as low as 1 pip Industry's leading trading software 100:1 leverage, 1% margin requirements Mobile phone / WAP trading capability Advanced charts and indicators		Hedging capability API/Expert Advisor automated trading Guaranteed fills 24 hour dealing and customer service Fast and easy account opening

Index Specifications
 
 
ActTrader
Stock Market Indices are equal to about 1/5th the size of e-mini contracts on the futures exchanges.

Instrument	Margin Req. Per Lot	Lot Size	Approximate    Tick Value	Spread	Trading Hours (GMT)
S&P 500	$50	$10 x price	1.00 = $10	0.50	Sunday 11:00PM - Friday 9:00PM (Closed 10:30PM - 11:00PM daily)
NASDAQ 100	$50	$10 x price	1.00 = $10	1.00	Sunday 11:00PM - Friday 9:00PM (Closed 10:30PM - 11:00PM daily)
Dow Jones Ind.	$50	$1 x price	1 = $1	5	Sunday 11:00PM - Friday 9:00PM (Closed 10:30PM - 11:00PM daily)
Nikkei 225	$50	$1 x price	1 = $1	5	12:45AM - 3:15AM &    4:15AM - 7:25AM
DAX30	$50	$1 x price	1 = $1	4	7:00AM - 9:00PM
CAC40	$50	$1 x price	1 = $1	4	7:00AM - 9:00PM
FTSE100	$50	$1 x price	1 = $1	4	8:00AM - 9:00PM

 
MetaTrader
Stock Market Indices are of equal contract size to e-mini contracts on the futures exchanges.   Smaller lot sizes can be traded in MetaTrader by using fractional lots (e.g., trading 0.1 lots).