Apex Financial Acquires 3% Stake in CMC Markets

Apex Group has acquired a 3.07% stake in CMC Markets (LON: CMCX), the London-listed contracts for differences (CFDs) broker, elevating the institutional services provider to the ranks of CMC’s top shareholders. Apex Financial Services (Trust Company) Limited, a Jersey-based entity, purchased the holding.

A TR-1 filing with the London Stock Exchange disclosed the acquisition, revealing that Apex crossed the 3% threshold on 18 June. While the purchase price remains undisclosed, CMCX’s market value that day implied the stake was worth about £21.66 million. It remains unclear whether Apex bought the shares on the open market or from existing stakeholders.

Apex Financial Acquires 3% Stake in CMC Markets

Lord Peter Cruddas, CMC Markets’ founder and chief executive, remains the dominant shareholder, controlling more than 59% of the company. Other significant institutional investors include Aberforth Partners with a 5.27% stake and Schroders with 5.06%. Fiona Cruddas, the founder’s wife, holds 3.21%, making her the fourth-largest shareholder. Apex’s new position now places it alongside this group of major stakeholders.

CMC’s financial disclosures show Lord Cruddas received a £700,000 basic salary in the past fiscal year, a £365,900 bonus, and approximately £14.5 million in dividends. He also benefited from share awards under the broker’s incentive schemes, alongside other senior executives who collectively received more than £2 million in equity grants.

CMC is not the only UK-listed CFD broker drawing interest from institutional investors. Earlier this year, US asset manager Capital Group acquired a 5.44% stake in Plus500, a deal valued at around £133.1 million based on market prices at the time.

The Apex deal underscores a growing appetite among large institutions for exposure to the retail trading sector, which has seen a surge in activity in recent years.

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