Perks per Share

Market guide

LSE

London Stock Exchange Main Market

London Stock Exchange’s Main Market is home to most large UK companies in our coverage. Alongside the issuer’s perk terms, check the cost of buying its shares and whether your broker can provide the ownership evidence it requires.

Current shareholder perks

Our coverage includes the following companies with current perks.

Dealing considerations

Most electronic purchases attract stamp duty

Buying UK shares electronically normally attracts Stamp Duty Reserve Tax at 0.5% of the price. For purchases made through CREST, the tax is taken automatically, so you do not need to pay it separately. Main Market shares do not qualify for the growth-market exemption available to some AIM and AQSE shares.

Allow time to qualify for a perk

UK trades settle two business days after dealing, known as T+2. A purchase made the day before a perk’s qualifying date may therefore be too late. Check when the issuer requires you to be registered as a holder and allow for settlement; the UK plans to shorten settlement to one business day from 11 October 2027.

A nominee holds the shares in its name

With nominee holdings, you own the investment but the nominee’s name appears on the company register. The issuer’s terms determine whether that holding qualifies for a perk. Your broker’s instructions explain how to request it; receiving company communications alone does not establish eligibility.

Some shares can be hard to trade

Penny shares can be difficult to buy or sell, and there may be a big difference between the buying and selling prices. If you have to sell quickly, you may get back much less than you paid. Check the quote before placing an order.

Older listing descriptions may be out of date

On 29 July 2024, the FCA introduced the “equity shares (commercial companies)” category. Older references to premium and standard listings describe the previous rules.

Brokers and charges

Compare the dealing terms below for selected brokers. Before buying, check the issuer’s eligibility rules and ask your broker what help it provides with the claim.

AJ Bell

These charges cover UK retail clients with a Dealing account.

How to deal
You can deal online or by telephone.
Dealing charges
An online share trade costs £5.00, reduced to £3.50 after 10 or more share deals in the previous month. A telephone trade costs £25.
Other costs
Holding shares costs 0.25% a year, capped at £3.50 a month. Purchases normally attract 0.5% Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. Sterling shares carry no currency conversion charge.

AJ Bell: charges  , checked

How AJ Bell handles shareholder perks

Hargreaves Lansdown

These charges cover UK retail clients with a Fund and Share Account, Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP.

How to deal
You can deal online, through the app, by telephone or by post.
Dealing charges
An online share trade costs £6.95, reduced to £3.95 after 20 or more deals in the previous month. Telephone and postal trades cost £29 each. Regular monthly investing by Direct Debit carries no dealing charge.
Other costs
Holding shares costs 0.35% a year, capped at £12.50 a month. Purchases normally attract 0.5% Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. Sterling shares carry no currency conversion charge.

Hargreaves Lansdown: charges  , checked

How Hargreaves Lansdown handles shareholder perks

interactive investor

UK-resident individual clients can use a Trading Account, ISA or SIPP on a Core, Plus or Premium monthly plan.

How to deal
You can deal online or by telephone.
Dealing charges
Standard online UK share trades cost £3.99 on Core or Plus and £2.99 on Premium. Orders over £500,000 have a different tariff. Telephone orders add £49 to the dealing commission. Plus includes £3.99 and Premium £5.98 of monthly trading credit, valid for 31 days. This credit cannot pay the telephone surcharge.
Other costs
Monthly plans cost £5.99 for Core (portfolios up to £100,000), £14.99 for Plus or £39.99 for Premium, whether or not you trade. Purchases normally attract 0.5% Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. Sterling shares carry no currency conversion charge.

interactive investor: charges  , checked

How interactive investor handles shareholder perks