At InvestEngine, we process trades once per day, a choice that reflects our focus on long-term investing and cost efficiency, rather than short-term market movements. While some platforms offer instant trades, we take a different approach designed to benefit our clients over time.
Why we do it
Trading once per day helps us:
- Keep investing commission-free
- Reduce unnecessary short-term trading
- Execute orders fairly by grouping all trades and placing them at the best available market price
- Reduce your trading costs by minimising the number of individual trades and securing better pricing through economies of scale.
It’s a system that suits long-term investors who care more about strategy and consistency than day-to-day price changes.
When do trades happen?
- Cut-off time: Orders placed before 2pm (UK time) on a working day are included in that day’s trade cycle.
- Execution window: Trades are placed in the afternoon, once markets open in the US (to align with the New York Stock Exchange).
- AutoInvest orders: Created daily at 12 noon, ready for inclusion in that day’s trades.
Whether you're using a DIY Portfolio or a Managed Portfolio or LifePlan, this schedule applies to all orders.
Why it works for long-term investors
This trading model encourages a patient, disciplined approach - something we believe leads to better outcomes. If you're investing for 3+ years, as we discuss in “How long should I invest for?”, the exact time your trade goes through matters less than staying invested.
We also make it easy to:
- Automate your top-ups with a Savings Plan
Set up flexible or monthly payments using Open Banking or Direct Debit, so you never forget to add money to your portfolio. - Keep your portfolio on track with AutoInvest
Automatically invest new cash based on your chosen ETF weightings, no need to place manual orders.