How to buy Tesla (TSLA) stocks and shares in the UK

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to future change. The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice.

Investments in a currency other than GBP are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in GBP terms. You could lose money in GBP even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

Interested in buying stocks and shares in the UK? If you’re brand new to investing, you might feel more comfortable putting your money behind a major corporation.

One company that fits the bill is the US electric car company Tesla, one of the biggest names in the automotive industry. Tesla is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, and is a regular fixture in the S&P 500 stock market index.

But how do you buy Tesla shares as a UK investor? Read on for everything you need to know, including info on trading fees, tips to get started and the latest Tesla TSLA share prices.

Can I buy Tesla shares in the UK?

Yes, you can buy shares in companies in the US and all over the world, even though you’re based in the UK.

This includes Tesla, along with all the other companies on both the US-based S&P 500 index and the UK-based FTSE 100 index.

Buying shares in global markets is relatively straightforward too. All you need to do is create an account on an online investment platform. Here are a few of the most popular options for UK investors wanting to buy shares in US companies:

• eToro
• XTB
• Hargreaves Lansdown
• Trading 212
• Webull
• Interactive Brokers.

An alternative option is to use a broker, who will provide a dedicated service for buying and selling shares in stock markets all over the world. Bear in mind though that this will come with fees.

How to buy Tesla shares

So, how do you get started in buying and selling Tesla shares? Take a look below for a step-by-step guide to buying shares using an online investment platform.

1. Find an investment platform

As Tesla is a major global corporation, you should find that most of the big investment platforms offer trading in its stock. Some popular trading platforms here in the UK are eToro, XTB, Trading 212, Webull and Interactive Brokers.

As there are a few different platforms to choose from, you’ll need to pick the right one for you. When comparing options, key things to pay attention to are fees and charges, as well as how user-friendly the platform is.

Another useful feature to look out for is a demo trading account, where you can ‘test out’ investments and get a feel for how it all works without actually committing any funds.

2. Create an account

You should be able to create an account with an online investment platform in just a few simple steps. You’ll fill in your details, and verify your identity.

A crucial thing to check before you sign up is that the platform is listed on the FCA register and therefore is a legitimate company.

3. Fund your account

In order to purchase shares, you’ll firstly need to transfer funds from your bank account over to your chosen investment platform. Simply follow the platform’s processes to do this.

4. Search the platform for Tesla stock

You can search using either the company name or its stock ticker symbol, which for Tesla Inc is TSLA.

5. Choose either the number of shares or the amount of investment

There are two ways you can place an order for shares online.

The first is to choose the specific number of shares you want to buy (i.e. 50 shares).

Alternatively, you can enter the maximum amount you want to invest and the platform will automatically purchase the appropriate number of shares on your behalf.

6. Confirm the order

Check the details of the order carefully before submitting it. Your shares will be purchased immediately, as long as it’s within market hours.

How to invest in Tesla via a fund

As well as buying shares directly in the way we looked at above, there are alternative ways to invest in companies like Tesla.

A few options to look into include:

• Global funds
• Investment trusts
• Exchange traded funds (ETFs).

All of these options offer ready-made portfolios, made up of stocks and shares in multiple different companies. The benefit to this is that it allows you to diversify your portfolio and spread your investment across multiple companies. So if one performs badly, it may be balanced out by the others.

As Tesla is a major global company, you can expect to find it included in many funds, trusts and ETFs.

These are also available to buy through online investment platforms, as long as you have an investor account.

Tesla (TSLA) share price

The current Tesla Inc (TSLA) share price at the publish date of this article (25 October 2024) is: $260.48 USD or £200.73 GBP.¹

Remember though that share prices fluctuate. So the price above is accurate at the time of writing, but it’s likely to be different at the time you’re buying your shares.

The good news though is that you can check the latest Tesla share prices at any time using the handy Wise stock ticker tool.

Check latest TSLA share price

Does Tesla stock pay out dividends?

Dividends are payments made by a company to its shareholders, based on annual overall profits.

It’s most common for dividends to be paid as cash payments, but it’s also possible to receive dividends in the form of additional shares in the same company.

Tesla stock doesn’t pay dividends to shareholders on its stock, and has said on its investor website that it doesn’t intend to in the future.²

What does it cost to buy and sell Tesla shares?

There will usually be some fees involved when you buy shares in the UK.

The most common charges are trading fees (charged every time you buy/sell shares) and foreign exchange fees. These are charged to convert your money from GBP to USD if you’re buying US stock.

In addition, some investment platforms have an annual account fee. Others are free to join.

Take a look at the table below for an idea of the fees charged by popular UK investment platforms:

Platform	US trade (commission) fees	Foreign exchange fees
eToro	£03	0.75%4
XTB5	£0	0.5%
Hargreaves Lansdown6	£11.95	1%
Trading 2127	£0	0.15%
Interactive Brokers8	£1.79	0.03%

Note: All above investment platform fees were correct as of 1st October 2024.

If you’re interested in investing in a fund instead of buying shares, it’s important to note that the fees for buying a fund, trust or ETF are likely to be different to those listed above. You’ll need to check the individual platform for further details.

Avoid hidden currency conversion mark-ups

In this article, we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to buy Tesla shares here in the UK. This includes the latest Tesla share prices, info on fees and steps to sign up to an investment platform and buy your first shares in the company.

But if you’re planning on buying and selling shares and funds listed abroad, there’s another crucial thing to consider - currency conversion.

Trade in different currencies and you could be hit with extra cost for cross border money transfer.

You may wish to hold your money in a Wise account until you decide to invest it in your chosen platform. Open a Wise account and you can convert currency at mid-market exchange rates, for low, transparent fees*.

You can also use your Wise account to conveniently manage your money in up to 40+ currencies, sending payments worldwide at the mid-market rate for low fees*.

There’s even an extra feature, Wise Interest. With a Wise account you can earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR by opening a Wise account and investing in a fund that holds government-guaranteed assets. Capital at risk.

Open your Wise account

Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you’re uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to future change. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice.

Investments in a currency other than GBP are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in GBP terms. You could lose money in GBP even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

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Sources used:

1. Wise - Tesla Inc stock price (TSLA)
2. Tesla - Tesla investor FAQs
3. eToro - eToro fees and charges
4. eToro - eToro conversion fees
5. XTB - XTB fees and charges
6. Hargreaves Lansdown - HL fees
7. Trading 212 - Trading 212 fees
8. Interactive Brokers - IB fees and trading costs for UK residents

Sources last checked on date: 01-Oct-2024

Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you’re uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.