Online trader Plus500’s shares rise as 2018 results expected to top estimates

Online trader Plus500 has predicted better-than-expected results at the end of the year, building on an upbeat third quarter trading report last month.

In a trading update ahead of its results for the financial year ending 31 December 2018, Plus500’s board said the “strong momentum” reported in its 23 October report had carried through to November.

The board predicts results would be “ahead of previous market expectations”.

Shares in the London-listed Israeli spread betting business were up 12 per cent in trading.

Asaf Elimelech, chief executive of Plus500, said: "We are delighted to report positive momentum for October and November as we move towards the end of the financial year.

“We believe we are in a good position for 2019 and continue to focus on acquiring high value customers as well as growing in existing and new jurisdictions."

Last month, the trading platform which allows individuals to trade contracts for difference on more than 2,200 financial instruments issued a report boosting expectations despite a revenue hit.

The company said revenue in the three months to 30 September had dropped 14 per cent on the previous year to $100m because of new European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) regulations on retail trading.

But an eight per cent rise in customers using the platform to 102,043 coupled with higher volatility entering the fourth quarter saw the firm raise trading expectations for the year, even though the number of new customers fell 51 per cent to 20,684.