Editor’s Verdict
Overview
Review
Headquarters | Cyprus |
|---|---|
Regulators | CySEC, FCA |
Year Established | 2014 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | $20 |
Trading Platform(s) | Other, MetaTrader 4, Web-based |
Islamic Account | |
Signals | |
US Persons Accepted? | |
Managed Accounts |
STO is a financial services provider offering trades in Forex, indices, commodities, equities and bonds. STO is a trading name of AFX Markets Ltd and AFX Capital Markets Ltd. Their headquarters are located in Limassol, Cyprus, regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission (CySEC) and are committed to high business ethics and standards. AFX Capital Markets Ltd is also registered with CONSOB in Italy, while AFX Markets Ltd is registered with the FSB in South Africa. Their clients’ funds are insured through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and Investor Compensation Fund (ICF).
Accounts
There are several different trading accounts at STO. The Classic account is recommended for beginner traders. It has a spread of 1.8 pips, leverage of up to 1:500, 100% margin call and use of the MT4 trading. Minimum deposit is $20 for CySEC and $200 for FCA regulated accounts.
Account Types
The Premium account offers ECN trading conditions and is geared for investors who pay attention to raw spreads, market execution with no requoting and leverage that suits their trading strategies. There is a spread of 0.4 pips, a margin call of 100%, leverage of 1:500 and trading with the MT4 platform. There is a minimum deposit of $500 for both CySec and FCA accounts.
The Pro account allows traders to speculate the markets under a professional spectrum, with superior execution speeds. Spreads start from 0.2 pips and leverage at 1:500 for greater investment optimization. A minimum deposit of $5,000 is needed for this account.
AFX Fast is their institutional trading platform, offering a unique combination of superior technology for the professional trader. The AFX Fast account offers institutional level Forex and metals trading conditions. $2000 is required to get started with this account and it has a spread of 0.01 pips, leverage of 1:200, 100% margin and use of the AFX Fast trading platform.
An Islamic (Swap-free) account is also available for those following Sharia laws.
There is also a MAAM (Multi Account Allocation Manager) account where an investment manager runs a ‘Master’ account and can control several accounts on behalf of clients. For those wishing to manage investments on behalf of clients and would like access to a tool that allows them to place multiple trades on clients’ accounts, the MAAM account is a perfect fit. The MAAM system has a post allocation trading mechanism and can guarantee the exact execution price. The trades executed are split automatically between the ‘Followers’ accounts based on margin availability.
Trading Conditions
Features
STO offers a Balance Protection plan, wherein they ensure that clients’ account balances will not drop below zero, holding a positive balance in their trading accounts.
They provide a number of secure and safe payment gateways, and protect clients’ money through their segregated UK bank accounts.
They also offer a number of partnership programs for doing business with them such as becoming an Introducing Broker, affiliate partnerships for introducing clients and a White Label partnership which allows clients to brand the STO trading platform in their own business style and design. This branding extends to forms and agreements such as the Customer Agreement, and Order Execution Policy.
There is also a Refer-a-Friend option where partners inform friends of STO products and services. Once a referral becomes a real account holder it generates income. Additional details of this promotion were not given.
Education
Trading on any of the three trading platforms, all the top of the line, is easy and efficient and traders can find a host of wonderful educational materials at the trading academy.
At the Academy, traders can benefit from a series of different instructional videos and tutorials divided up into beginner, intermediate and advanced categories.
Technical analysts at STO identify prevailing market directions so that they can have a clearer picture as to whether the price is in a bullish (rising) or a bearish (falling) trend and send out indicators using methodologies such as candlestick patterns, and indicators like the stochastic oscillator, MACD, RSI
RSI Indicator Explained
Expert Advisors (EAs) are available on the MT4 platform that can execute trades automatically and there are tools to make trading easier such as trend following, trend confirmation, overbought and oversold levels, and profit or loss (risk management) parameters. Successful strategies enables a trader to minimize losses and capture steady profits throughout time.
Market news and daily analysis are updated daily and provide in depth coverage of what is happening in the markets.
Market News
An economic calendar is provided with up-to-the-moment listings of financial events taking place throughout the world and there is a simple, user-friendly Forex glossary with different terms of the Forex market.
Bonuses/Promotions
March 1st will see the launching of the broker’s newest 10% Interest Rate Promo. The 10% annual interest rate gives traders the ability to earn interest on their deposit. This is one of the highest fixed interest rate in the Forex industry and it is a rewarding way for traders to invest their funds and maximize their returns.
To qualify for this bonus, a trader must deposit a minimum of $10,000 in a Classic account, trade the minimum number of lots and accrue interest every month. The amount can be easily withdrawn on a monthly basis or at the end of the year.
In addition, at the time of this review there was a 30% welcome bonus for all new traders.
Traders who wish to increase their odds and maximize their profits can take advantage of STO’s 20% re-deposit bonus. With every re-deposit of a minimum of 50 EUR/USD (CySEC registrants) or 200 EUR/USD/GBP/CHF (FCA registrants) into the trader’s STO Classic account a 20% bonus is awarded directly into the account.
Trader’s Rebate is a reward program offered by STO to new and existing clients. On a Classic MT4 account, traders can get $3 per 1 standard traded lot on forex and metals. There is no cap on their reward, so the more traded, the bigger the rebate. The Trader’s Rebate is available on all live accounts.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) allows traders to run their trading platform around the clock and manage their EAs with ease and from any device connected to the internet. VPS service is available for free to our clients who make a minimum deposit of $2000 or trade a minimum of 5 lots per month. This service is also available to customers who do not meet these conditions at the rate of $35 per month.
There are also contests from time to time but there were none in place at the time of this review.
Deposits/Withdrawals
Depositing funds to a trading account can be done quickly and securely using a wide range of deposit methods, including bank wire transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller, etc.
The 24/5 customer support and the latest financial information we offer assists our clients in the best possible manner when they are trading the markets.
Customer Support
Customer Support Methods |   |
|---|---|
Support Hours | 24/5 |
Website Languages |      |
Customers support can be reached by phone to their London or Cyprus numbers or email to the appropriate department. Chat is available during working hours.
Trades can be made five days a week from 24:00 server time Sunday until 24:00 server time Friday.
Conclusion
STO seems to have it all. It is highly regulated and offers everything a trader would need for a satisfying trading experience.
Features
STO is stocked full of wonderful features that would make any trader happy. The choice of different trading accounts is plentiful and the addition of the MAAM account rounds out the choices for all types of different traders. Trading on either of the two trading platforms, both the top of the line, is easy and efficient and traders can find a host of wonderful educational materials at the trading academy including news, technical analysis, tutorials and more.
Platforms
MetaTrader 4
The MetaTrader 4 trading platform at STO is offered as both MT4 and Web Trader and both offer all the benefits of this popular platform including multi-currency and multi-language support, extensive quote history, robust security system, a range of functions, use of Expert Advisors, unmatched system stability and superb execution response. In addition, it provides a unique strategy tester, advanced charting and technical analysis tools and live market news.
MetaTrader 4 Platform
MetaTrader 4 WebTrader
The MT4 WebTrader provides traders with a simple and easy to use interface with real-time quotes in Market Watch and the ability to monitor up to four charts simultaneously. It is available in multiple languages and offers multi-currency support.
In addition, traders can view their account history in just a couple of clicks, use the technical analysis indicators and graphical objects that are available and work with any web browser or operating system.
The WebTrader does not have to be downloaded and offers real-time trade results.
AFX Fast
AFX Fast is a powerful institutional trading platform, offering a unique combination of superior technology and a smooth, professional user experience. It offers no dealing room intervention or re-quotes, superior technology, a choice of more than 25 different currency pairs, low commissions, automatic updates, detailed reporting, multi level pricing, single click trading, a comprehensive charting, package, fast navigation and fast switching between multiple accounts.
AFX Fast can be downloaded quickly and used in both live or demo accounts.
Mobile
STO offers mobile trading on the MT4 platform for iPhone/iPad, Androids and Windows.
Trading Platform
MT4 | |
|---|---|
MT5 | |
cTrader | |
Proprietary Platform | |
Automated Trading | |
Guaranteed Stop Loss | |
Scalping | |
Hedging | |
OCO Orders | |
Interest on Margin |