Microsoft and Saxo Bank have come together in a strategic partnership to meet retail investors’ demand for more advanced trading techniques as well as more analysis tools and better fundamental research on global equities. MSN Trader was designed by Saxo Bank and is tailor-made for the MSN audience, featured on Microsoft's MSN Money website, which is viewed by more than 1.2 million visitors per month.

MSN Trader utilises Saxo Bank’s established WebTrader platform where investors can trade over 11,000 single stocks and more than 7,000 CFDs. It provides detailed educational content enabling investors to create a deeper understanding of trading opportunities. In addition, the platform offers Equity Research including three years’ forecasts of aggregated analysts’ estimates and recommendations.

MSN Trader also allows investors to carry out comparison analysis of the leading global companies. In addition, users can diversify and spread their investment, and hedge market and sector, as well as FX and commodity risks in their portfolios.

MSN Trader brings together the key strengths of both MSN Money and Saxo Bank for experienced retail investors. MSN Money is one of the most comprehensive sources for investors’ money and personal finance needs, and with its award-winning online trading technology, Saxo Bank has accumulated knowledge and expertise over the last decade in supporting the online trading needs of a global client base.

Commenting on the launch, Kim Fournais, CEO and co-founder of Saxo Bank, said: “This is no doubt one of the biggest deals Saxo Bank has made so far and we are both proud and humble to join forces with Microsoft. New and improved distribution channels are as important as transparency, price, products and services, which is why the cooperation between Microsoft and Saxo Bank is so powerful. MSN Money attracts over a million financially interested visitors, and combined with the amount of research and information available to educate and prepare self-directed investors, MSN Trader will be placed at the forefront of the retail market.“

John Mangelaars, Vice-President, Consumer and Online, Microsoft, added: “By joining forces with Saxo Bank, we will be able to provide clients with a user-friendly online trading platform with a tried and tested track record. MSN Trader is one of the first equity trading platforms in the world that combines unbiased fundamental analysis, a powerful stock screener and a unique trading platform that enables investors to diversify and handle risk management on one single platform. Together with Saxo Bank, we have added a new dimension to retail trading.”

The offering will initially be available in the UK only from 10 November 2010. Clients opening an account in MSN Trader become clients of Saxo Bank. The platform will be presented at the World MoneyShow in London on 12 and 13 November.