Stock Brokerage Reviews » Brokerage Reviews

Stock And Futures Investing At optionsXpress

ashivapu — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:07:01 +0000

Trade stocks, options, and futures all with one account at optionsXpress.

Not ready to trade your own money or want to test out new trading strategies? Open a virtual trading account and test away.

optionsXpress offers a host of tools and resources to its users. Around 40 to be more precise, including the new Xtend Beta, which is basically an all-in-one streaming trading application.optionsXpress also has advanced mobile trading applications for the iPhone, devices using Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and the Android.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $9.95 flat-rate; Options $12.95 plus 0.75 per contract

Account Minimums: none

Account Types: Futures, Mutual funds, Stocks, Equity and index options, ETFs and bonds

With stock commissions relatively high compared to other brokers, if options trading and high-end trader tools are what you are looking for, then optionsXpress is worth taking a look at.

Is optionsXpress right for you? Take our interactive quiz to find out.

MB Trading Review – Voted Best For Active Traders

SOGOTRADE Review – Low Discount Broker

ashivapu — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:29:14 +0000

At its best SOGOTRADE is a stripped down version of all the core resources and tools you need to properly trade stocks. There are no bells and whistles here; however, you’re rewarded with extremely cheap commissions.

Besides the cheap trade commissions, most people seem to be raving about the overall interface involved with their web service and helpful customer service. A clean organized interface helps you easily conduct trades, while minimizing the time needed.

Deals and Offers

SOGOTRADE will cover up to $100 worth of fees if you want to transfer your account to them.
Open your account with a minimum of $500 and get 30 free trades.
Open account with minimum of $2500 and get free 1 year subscription to McAfee Virus Scan.
Get 25 free trades when you refer a friend.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $3 per trade; Options $3 plus $0.70 per contract.

Account Minimums: $0 and no inactivity fees ($500 initial deposit required)

Overall, SOGOTRADE is still a brokerage that needs to grow and expand some more. The tools and resources available don’t really enhance the trading experience; however, the cheap commissions and amazing deals makes it a great option for cheap online stock trading.

Official Scottrade Review

ashivapu — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:59:17 +0000

When it comes to discount stock brokerages, there are usually two types… one that allows you to trade stocks plus manage other long-term investments (E*Trade, TD Ameritrade), and then those that focus more on stock trading and low commissions (TradeKing, Zecco). Scottrade fits best right in between those two categories.

A mixture of of both worlds. Combining their services and commissions you get exactly that. Not the cheapest commissions around, but lower than the “all-in-one” brokerages, and a limited amount of services, but more than “low commission focused” brokerages.

Tools, tools, and then more tools. Scottrade offers a wide variety of tools for its users to use. There is a streaming application for both options and stocks, while there is also a desktop program available for those that deposit a minimum of $25,000 into their account. Also new to the group is Scottrade’s own mobile application, so you can trade on the go. See a full list of brokerages that offer mobile trading services.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $7 per trade; Options $7 plus $1.25 per contract.

Account Minimums: $0 and no inactivity fees ($500 initial deposit required)

Overall, you really get what you pay for with Scottrade: decent commission fees along with more than enough investment options. Its not necessarily the best nor the worse, but a brokerage that can satisfy almost any type of trader.

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Zecco Review – Free Online Stock Trading

ashivapu — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:26:25 +0000

While Zecco has been on the scene for just a couple of years, their initial 100% free stock trading basically changed the entire game for all online stock brokerages and has drastically lowered the barrier for more people to enter the stock market.

Understandably, as Zecco started to grow and increase its members count, the 100% free online trading is not what it truly used to be. Now members are eligible to get 10 free trades per month as long as they maintain a balance of $25,000 or execute 25 trades in a month. Any other trade is still reasonably low compared to other stock brokerages at $4.95 per trade.

All that being said, Zecco still has room to improve when it comes to the tools and applications that it provides; however, you need to weigh whether you would rather have the cheap commissions or more sophisticated tools.

Talk to other members. Thanks to ZeccoShare now members can discuss and share trading ideas with each other for free. Have a question? Post it on the message boards.

Now trade Forex. Just recently Zecco launched their new Forex service along with a virtual platform to practice Forex trading without risking any money.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $4.50 flat-rate; Options $4.50 plus .50 per contract

Account Minimums: $0

Overall, what Zecco lacks in available tools and resources makes up for in the extremely cheap trading commissions. Whether you are a new trader or just somebody looking to cut down on commissions cost, Zecco is worth giving it a try.

thinkorswim – Revolutionary Online Trading

ashivapu — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:00:28 +0000

It is not often that an online stock brokerage is known most for their trading platform, but that is indeed what make thinkorswim such a popular choice. Now part of TD Ameritrade, you get the comfort of stability with mind-blowing platforms.

What makes thinkorswim so unusual is their ability to impress both novice and experienced traders. With free webinars and classes, thinkorswim seems to be breeding their own type of trader. There is also a mobile trading application, so you can access your thinkorswim account on the road.

Promotions. Maybe part of the reason so many like thinkorswim is their constant promotions: every new TOS member gets a free stuffed monkey, executing 40 trades in month will get them to pay for your internet, and 3 complimentary mutual fund trades per month.

No start up or hidden fees. There are no start up or inactivity fees. You can even take a test drive of their popular trading platform before becoming an actual registered member. Also, as a registered member, you will get $50 for every person you refer to thinkorswim.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $0.015 per share ($5 min) $9.95 per trade; Options the lesser of $2.95 per contract or $1.50 per contract plus $9.95

Account Minimums: $500

Don’t Like Your Current Broker: thinkorswim will reimburse any transfer fees up to $100.

Overall, thinkorswim’s trading platforms and applications make it a prime stock brokerage for both the novice and experience trader; however, more active traders might consider another brokerage for cheaper commissions.

Get access to the award winning trading applications by signing up for an account at thinkorswim.

TradeKing Review – Fair And Simple Pricing

ashivapu — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:58:39 +0000

Ranked number 1 in customer service by SmartMoney in 2008, number 1 Discount Broker by SmartMoney in 2007 and received 4 stars by Barron in both 2007 and 2008 along with 5 stars from Kiplinger’s in 2008, TradeKing has won its fair share of awards and accolades over the years.

Fair and simple pricing. What makes TradeKing such an enticing discount stock brokerage is their simple pricing, with some of the lowest in the industry. Best of all there are no strange requirements or forms to fill in order to use them.

Social network twist. Members of TradeKing gain access to their unique trader network. See what other members are trading and why or check out other users’ portfolios and performances. You can also establish your own blog or peruse through others’.

Enough tools to keep you satisfied. TradeKing boasts a good amount of tools and platforms to perform your stock research. Their usability is also clean and organized, so any novice or stock junkie will be satisfied. Use their stock screener or chart platform.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $4.95 per trade; Options $4.95 plus $0.65 per contract.

Account Minimums: $0

Overall, TradeKing’s combination of cheap commissions, social network feel, and easy usability makes it a suitable solution for most traders; however, more experienced and aggressive active traders may prefer other options.

Interactive Brokers Review – The Ultimate Stock Brokerage

ashivapu — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:24:40 +0000

First off, if you are not an experienced and active trader and not trading over $10,000, then check out other stock brokerage reviews. Only the real traders come to play at Interactive Brokers.

Interactive Brokers is home to many professional and institutional brokers. With this stock brokerage, you can trade stocks, options, futures, FOREX, bonds, funds, and foreign markets.

What makes Interactive Brokers enticing is their extremely low commissions. Because the company does everything in house they are able to carry that over to their low prices. That being said, low prices also equals not the best customer support and tools. Again, that is why Interactive Brokers is really a good solution for just experienced traders.

Trading platform can be tested before signing up.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Because most IB users are trading larger volumes, commission structure varies. See chart here.

Account Minimums: $10,000. 21 or younger is $3,000

Fees: Interactive Brokers does want its users to perform a certain amount of trades per month. Failure to do so results in inactivity fees. See detailed chart here.

Overall, Interactive Brokers is good for only those traders that are experienced, do not need much support or tools, and able to really trade over $10,000. While it seems like a lot of requirements, traders that are able to meet them will experience extremely low commissions for the volume traded.

Experience institutional-type commissions and access when you sign up with Interactive Brokers.

E*Trade Review – Rated Number 1 Online Broker

ashivapu — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:33:08 +0000

By far the most active online stock brokerage when it comes television commercials, E*Trade has taken up the slot has the most popular online stock brokerage. At one time opening up 10,000 accounts a day.

What makes E*Trade vastly different than most other online stock brokerages is that they are almost a full running bank. Besides managing your market trading, you can also control various retirement and banking needs all from E*Trade, which may appeal to those looking for an all-in-on type of brokerage (Also consider TD Ameritrade).

Too many awards? For three straight years, SmartMoney has named E*Trade the number 1 online stock broker. They also received 5 stars in customer service, tools, research, and banking services; however, all these accolades do not come cheap, especially when we are talking about the commissions.

While E*Trade is a great brokerage for new and long-term traders, the commissions are vastly high compared to its peers.

Trade from your computer or phone. While many traders might complain about the high commissions, many of these same traders also rave about E*Trade’s tools and platforms. Although they have the typical PC-based and streaming platforms, E*Trade boasts one of the best mobile trading applications around.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $12.99 per trade; Options $12.99 plus $0.75 per contract. Various requirements can knock your commissions all the way down to $6.99.

Account Minimums: $1000

Fees: Execute 1 trade per quarter or maintain a balance of plus $10,000, to avoid quarterly maintenance fee of $40. There are also tons of other criteria that you can meet, to avoid the fees.

Overall, E*Trade is best for new and long-term traders looking to take a more prudent approach to investing and managing their money. Depending on your specific numbers, commissions may be a turn off to more active and advanced traders.

MB Trading Review – Voted Best For Active Traders

ashivapu — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:43:01 +0000

Recently rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by Barron’s Online Broker Survey, MB Trading was also voted best in 2009 for active traders.

Unlike brokerages such as E*Trade and TD Ameritrade, MB Trading is more of a pure trading brokerage, with the ability to trade stocks, futures, options, and forex, that makes it a great solution for actives traders.

Tools that cover any type of platform. What was once their weakness, MB Trading has gained several awards on their variety of trading applications which include, a streaming platform, PC-based platform, and mobile application for the BlackBerry.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $0.005 per share or $4.95 flat rate; Options $0.95 per contract; Futures $0.95 per contract; Forex $0.50 per $10,000 traded

Account Minimums: $1000

Overall, MB Trading offers competitive commission fees to entice most active traders and tools to satisfy the self-directed trader; however, if you are a fairly new trader or non-active trader, then you might consider another option.

Experience cheap commissions when you sign up for a MB Trading account.

TD Ameritrade Review – No Hidden Fees

ashivapu — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:07:43 +0000

Unlike OptionsHouse, you will be hard-pressed to find somebody that does not know about TD Ameritrade. By far, one of the most popular online discount stock brokerages, TD Ameritrade has gotten the rap for being the “conservative” place to start investing with.

Along with E*Trade, TD Ameritrade is known for their “one-stop shop” mentality. The tools and resources available to members are far and away more bountiful than most other discount brokerages.

Tired of scanning? TD Ameritrade boasts a new pattern matcher that will compare stocks with textbook trading pattern in just a matter of seconds. On top of that, members have access to extremely detailed oriented platforms that are both streaming and PC based.

TD Ameritrade also works hard to align themselves with third party developers to create even more solutions. Thanks to their open API system, there are plenty of mobile stock trading applications that will allow you to access your TD Ameritrade account from anywhere and anytime.

If you are looking for educational support, TD Ameritrade also hosts several night classes that allow you to learn about different trading strategies all from the comfort of your home and at no extra cost.

Stock Brokerage Details

Commissions: Stocks $9.99 per trade; Options $9.99 +.75 per contract

Account Minimums: $0

Account Types: Individual , Corporate, Roth IRAs, Sep IRAs, Traditional IRAs, Joint , UTMA/UGMA , Trusts, Partnerships, Investment Clubs, and Educational IRAs.

Overall, TD Ameritrade offers a wide-variety of solutions that will allow you to maintain full control of your investments from one account, if you choose to do so. On the other hand, more experienced traders may prefer cheaper commissions somewhere else over the extra bells and whistles provided by TD Ameritrade.

With constant promotions in rotation, there is never a better time to sign up for a TD Ameritrade account.

TradeKing Review – Fair And Simple Pricing