28 September 2017

CMC Markets Plc

H1 2018 Pre-Close Trading Update

CMC Markets Plc ("CMC"), a leading global provider of online retail trading, today issues the following Trading Update.

Profitability in H1 2018 is significantly higher than the same period in 2017 with both net operating income and revenue per client higher (and marginally higher than H2 2017), driven by increased client volumes. Active CFD / Spreadbet clients for the period are slightly lower than H1 2017 following the short term interest seen around the EU referendum. The strong increase in net operating income in H1 2018 despite the small decline in active clients reaffirms the firm's continuing focus on high-value, experienced clients.

CMC retains its focus on cost discipline and operating costs before variable staff remuneration are broadly unchanged compared to the same period year-on-year. Costs in the second half are expected to increase through investment in key marketing initiatives, and the ongoing implementation of the Group's stockbroking partnership with ANZ Bank in Australia, which remains on track for delivery next year.

Regulation remains a key focus for the firm, and despite profitability in H1 2018 being significantly higher than the same period in 2017, the firm remains cautious about the future outlook given the ongoing regulatory uncertainty and the impact, if any, potential changes could have on Group performance.

The results for the six months ending 30 September 2017 will be announced on Thursday 23 November 2017.

Investor and Analyst Presentation

There will be a presentation on 23 November 2017 at 9.30am for institutional investors and analysts at CMC's offices at 133 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BX, United Kingdom. Those wishing to attend should contact investor.relations@cmcmarkets.com.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside information is considered to be in the public domain.

Enquiries

CMC Markets Plc                                                                                              +44 (0) 20 7170 8200

Grant Foley, Chief Operating and Financial Officer

Camarco                                                                                                           +44 (0) 20 3757 4984

Geoffrey Pelham-Lane

Ed Gascoigne-Pees

Jennifer Renwick

Notes to Editors

CMC Markets plc ("CMC"), whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CMCX (LEI: 213800VB75KAZBFH5U07), was established in 1989 and is now one of the world's leading online financial trading businesses.  The company serves retail and institutional clients through regulated offices and branches in 15 countries, with a significant presence in the UK, Australia, Germany and Singapore. CMC Markets offers an award-winning, online and mobile trading platform, enabling clients to trade up to 10,000 financial instruments across shares, indices, foreign currencies, commodities and treasuries through contracts for difference ("CFDs"), financial spread bets (in the UK and Ireland only) and, in Australia, access stockbroking services.  More information is available at http://www.cmcmarkets.com/group/