How to trade space stocks and ETFs to watch
Space company listings have taken off in recent years. Learn how you can get exposure to space stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with us, the world’s No.1 trading provider.1
Start trading today. Call +44 (20) 7633 5430, or email sales.en@ig.com to talk about opening a trading account. We’re here 24/5.
Contact us: +44 (20) 7633 5430
Start trading today. Call +44 (20) 7633 5430, or email sales.en@ig.com to talk about opening a trading account. We’re here 24/5.
Contact us: +44 (20) 7633 5430
Learn about the space industry
Private space companies have revolutionised the industry. With over 10,000 space-focused companies globally (and counting), the industry is valued at around $4 trillion. Space tech companies in particular make up the majority of this sector.
For example, certain companies manufacture and supply materials for spacecraft construction, as well as parts for the build and repair of the spaceflights and launch infrastructure. Other companies develop frontier technologies, like software, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. They also manufacture satellites, as well as navigation and mapping systems, that enable the success of the space industry.
While you might not afford a $450,000 spaceflight ticket with Virgin Galactic, there are other ways you can get exposure in the industry. There are a growing number of space stocks, ETFs and investment trusts in the space sector – and you can trade in a number of these on our platform.
Discover why people trade space stocks and ETFs
People trade in space stocks and ETFs because they believe that the industry offers lots of growth opportunities, especially for tech companies in the supply chain. It’s believed that the global space industry will generate well over $1trillion in revenue by 2040.
Space stocks are one of several thematic opportunities that’ve gained popularity in recent years. You’ve probably observed the mounting interest in the possibilities that frontier technologies may offer in the near future. Other themes that you can trade with us include AI, electric vehicles and 5G
The global space economy
Research the best space shares and ETFs
Are these the best space shares to watch?
Space stocks live market prices
Virgin Galactic
The space tourism pioneer, Virgin Galactic, operates spaceflights – making space travel a reality. Founded by Richard Branson, it had its initial public offering (IPO) in 2019, listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Despite the stock’s popularity, the share price has been volatile over the with some sharp decreases experienced as the market reacted to news that the space company had postponed the launch of its commercial spaceflight from Q1 to Q4 of 2022.
Garmin
A global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin (with the help of its subsidiaries) designs, manufactures, and sells tech devices and apps. Over a five-year period, from 2017 to 2021, the share price saw a steady three-fold incline.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American-based company that is centred around aerospace, technology, military and information security. It was founded in March 1995 when Lockheed Corporation merged with construction company Martin Marietta.
Over a five-year period (from 2017 to 2021) Lockheed Martin stock experienced a 25% increase in the share price, due to
Astra Space
A small American start-up, Astra Space manufactures launch vehicles for commercial and military use. In 2021, the company made an unsuccessful attempt to launch a vehicle into space due to engine issues. In Q1 of 2021 the Astra Space share price stood at $19 per share but fell to $9 per share in Q4 of 2021.
Iridium Communications
Iridium Communications is a global satellite comms company that provides worldwide access to voice and data services. The stock experienced a five-fold increase in the share price over a three-year period (2019 to 2021).
Iridium reported 7% annual increase in its total revenue of $162.2 million in Q3 of 2021. This consisted of $127.8 million of service revenue and $34.4 million of income generated from equipment sales and engineering as well as support projects.
While only five space stocks are mentioned above, the industry keeps increasing at a high rate and more companies are expected to make their IPOs. IPOs you should expect in the future include the likes of Virgin Orbit, Starlink, maybe even SpaceX.
Are these the best space ETFs and investment trusts to watch?
Space ETFs live market prices
You can trade these space ETFs on our platform:
Seraphim Space Investment Trust
The world's first listed Space Tech Fund and Seraphim Space's first significant investment since its IPO in July 2021. It’s a venture trust that invests in space start-ups from inception to exit. So, with the Seraphim Space Investment Trust, you’d be trading in a basket of stocks that support space entrepreneurial ventures.
Procure Space UCITS ETF
Procure Space UCITS ETF was Europe’s first space exchange traded fund, launched on the London Stock Exchange in June 2021. This basket is part of the Space Index, which gives you exposure to space stocks in 80 countries, increasing your exposure to high-growth companies within the space tech megatrend.
Choose the asset you want to trade and identify an opportunity
With us, can trade space stocks or ETFs.
- Stocks
- ETFs
Stocks give you exposure to the market performance of different companies that are directly involved in the space industry, like Garmin Ltd, Virgin Galactic and Iridium Communications
Trading
Take a position on stock prices rising or falling with contracts for difference (CFDs)
Remember that trading on leverage is high risk, and you can lose more than your initial deposit. Make sure to take the appropriate risk management steps before opening a position and never trade using more capital than you can afford to lose. Trading also poses certain risks, though you can’t lose more than your initial outlay. Take control of your trades using our risk management tool and ensure you’re well-informed with our range of educational resources.
Trading in detail
‘Trading’ lets you predict on the price movements of a stock or other financial asset using derivatives like CFDs. If you want to take a position on space stocks or ETFs without owning them directly, then CFDs might be for you.
Leverage isn’t available when you’re investing, so you’ll need to commit the full cost of your position upfront. While this could increase your initial outlay, it also caps your maximum risk at the amount of money you paid to open your position
Trading space opportunities
- Create or log in to your CFD trading account
- Go to our platform
- Search for your space opportunity
- Decide whether to go long or short, choose your position size and take steps to manage your risk
- Open and monitor your trade
When you trade on leverage, there’s one direct charge you’ll need to consider – a commission for share CFDs. For share CFDs, you will need to pay a commission.
Also, look out for potential charges like overnight funding2, which is a charge you pay to keep your position open after trading hours, and guaranteed stop fees that could influence your trading costs. We work to keep these charges among the lowest in the business.
Identify an opportunity through your own analysis
Analysis is a crucial part of trading – and competent analysis can be the difference between making a profit or incurring a loss. It’s important that you carry out both fundamental and technical analysis before opening your space stock or ETF position.
- Technical analysis looks at chart patterns, technical indicators and historical price action
- Fundamental analysis is based on the fundamentals of a company, including its net revenue and profit and loss statements
Interested in analysis? Find out more at IG Academy
Pick your platform and place your space trade
We’ve got an award-winning trading platform1 – available on desktop or on-the-go with our mobile app. You’ll get access to in-platform news and analysis from our in-house team of experts and Reuters newsfeeds – as well as a range of technical indicators that you can use to analyse charts and historical price action.
- Step-by-step guide to making space stock or ETF trade
- Step-by-step guide to making a space stock or ETF investment
- Search for and select your opportunity
- Choose ‘buy’ to go long or ‘sell’ to go short
- Put in your position size
- Set your stops or limits to help manage your risk
- Place your deal and monitor your position
1 Best trading platform as awarded at the ADVFN International Financial Awards and Professional Trader Awards 2022. Best trading app as awarded at the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2022.
2 Overnight funding is the charge you pay for for keeping cash CFD trade open past 5am UTC+8 (international time may vary); we'll make an interest adjsutment to your account to reflect the cost of funding your position. Learn more about how overnight funding is calculated
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