i have some money to invest, but would like to know which on-line broker is the best and offers the most.?

Answer 1

There are a lot of good brokerages depending on what you like and how you trade.

Barron's has a great article on brokerages that they publish each year. (Latest one was in March 6, 2006, but the new one just came out). Kiplinger does one too.

Here’s the link to the Barron’s article.
http://webreprints.djreprints.com/1550280182488.html

Here’s the link to the Kiplinger’s July 2006 article which isn’t bad either.
http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2006/07/brokers.html


For basic stuff, E*Trade, Ameritrade, and Scottrade are sufficient. For more complex trades, I'd recommend Optionsxpress, ThinkorSwim, or interactivebrokers.

Based on what you put in your question, I'd recommend one of the first three, but all are very good. Cheapest probably is scottrade (of the larger online firms). Yes there are cheaper like interactivebrokers, but you'll have to get used to their software based platform (which is doable). They're only about $1/contract on options!

Brokerages like Fidelity are horrible for anyone with any decent experience.

So, decide what's important to you as a trader and compare the brokers! You can use the article, or go to each website as they all seem to have comparison charts!

And if there are particular things that you want to mention as being most important to you (such as executions, cust svc, cheapest trade, flexibility on allowing you to do certain types of trades, stop and stop limit orders, contingent orders, great graphing, what if scenarios, training, etc), I'll be glad to help discuss this with you too!

If you have any questions, let me know.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

There is no best & no most to offer. Schwab.com has many options incl many no-fee mutual funds from many families but as long as you have the basic options open broker does not matter at all. Nothing to even ponder. Just open an account today and get going. up to you to pick the right investments which is a diversified portfolio. With closed ends, MFs, & etfs could not be easier.

Answer 3

I agree with Vegas. Doesn't really matter who you pick, there's no "best". Each broker does some things well and other things poorly. I have accounts at both Fidelity and Vanguard. Vanguard has great, low-cost index funds, but their confirmations are atrocious. I get pages and pages of confirms and statements from them all the time (literally, one or two mailings A DAY), but their funds make it worthwhile. Fidelity has a very easy to use internet site. You can do pretty much anything you want with your money and their confirmations are much more manageable. On the other hand, their funds' management fees and other commissions tend to be a bit high.

Answer 4

Depends on what you mean by "most." Vanguard pays 5.1% on money market, which I think is impossible to find elsewhere. I know TD Ameritrade has lower commissions but pays a mere 0.4%. If you don't trade much and keep a few bucks in money market, Vanguard is the way to go. If you trade a lot, look elsewhere. I don't trade much any more, maybe six times a year, so I dumped Ameritrade and moved everything to Vanguard.

Answer 5

I use Etrade wich I like real well you can buy common stock or options but the market is terrible right now stay away, even REITs are not doing well (real estate) I typically try to get out by May a broker will advise you but they make commisions so talk to other investors before you listen to them.

Answer 6

Zecco. (If you have less than $25,000.00 USD)