| Online stock trading sites offer | | | | point. Not the cheapest, but tops in |
| investors access to a variety of tools | | | | functionality. |
| and research that just a few years ago | | | | Scottrade |
| were only available through full service | | | | Scottrade’s claim to fame is superior |
| brokerage accounts. | | | | customer satisfaction as noted in J.D |
| There are many online stock trading | | | | Power and Associates survey of online |
| sites to choose from, but narrowing down | | | | brokers. Commissions are on the low side |
| the field may seem time consuming and | | | | and transactions are processed quickly. |
| overwhelming. | | | | TD Ameritrade |
| Here are thirteen of the top-rated | | | | TD Ameritrade is another brokerage that |
| online stock trading sites that | | | | is the result of mergers (Ameritrade was |
| continually show up on just about every | | | | one of the merged companies and it has |
| list of the best. | | | | been around for a number of years). The |
| Ultimately, your choice is a personal | | | | company has a large selection of mutual |
| one based on a number of factors and how | | | | funds and is noted for its |
| you rank them in importance. | | | | responsiveness to customer inquiries. |
| Not every online stock trading site on | | | | Thinkorswim |
| this list will work for you because some | | | | This is a newcomer to the online stock |
| are stronger in one area, while weaker | | | | trading scene, but worth checking out if |
| in another. | | | | you’re interested in something |
| All of these sites encourage you to | | | | different. The site is not like any of |
| browse through their pages, although | | | | the others, but Barron’s gives it |
| some parts will be off limits unless you | | | | extremely high marks, so despite its |
| have an account. | | | | quirkiness, there’s plenty of |
| Here are online stock trading sites you | | | | substance. |
| should consider: | | | | TradeKing |
| Charles Schwab | | | | TradeKing is the online stock trading |
| Schwab is the granddaddy of discount | | | | site to checkout for low cost trading. |
| brokerage and is carrying this tradition | | | | This is their thing and SmartMoney.com, |
| to its online offering - although it is | | | | Barron’s and Kiplinger all agree. If |
| looking more like a traditional | | | | you are looking for the best prices on |
| brokerage all the time. | | | | trades, this is the place to start. |
| It offers its own research and clients | | | | Vanguard |
| can work with an investment advisor or | | | | Vanguard made a name for itself at the |
| Schwab will manage their account for | | | | low-cost leader in mutual funds. |
| them. | | | | Vanguard is a solid company that excels |
| E*Trade | | | | in providing value to their customers |
| E*Trade gets high marks for its range of | | | | and in consolidating investments in a |
| offerings including banking and mutual | | | | brokerage account. |
| funds. The company has absorbed several | | | | WallStreet*E |
| other brokerage firms and is now a | | | | WallStreet*E combines low commissions |
| significant player in the online stock | | | | with a broad range of web-based services |
| trading market. Like its competitors, | | | | to appeal to investors who want an |
| active traders get lower rates on their | | | | integrated approach to investing and |
| trades. | | | | banking. The company offers a variety of |
| Fidelity | | | | online banking products and other |
| Fidelity shows up at the top or near the | | | | services that will appeal to those who |
| top of almost every ranking of online | | | | want to see their whole financial |
| stock trading brokers. They are not the | | | | picture. |
| least expensive, but top most lists in | | | | Wells Fargo |
| customer satisfaction. Fidelity is known | | | | The financial services powerhouse Wells |
| for its research and investors can talk | | | | Fargo has an online stock trading site |
| to advisors face-to-face at one of the | | | | that fits it image of comprehensive |
| many Fidelity investment centers. | | | | services. You are offered five different |
| Firstrade | | | | levels of accounts depending on whether |
| One of the advantages of a brokerage | | | | you want a strictly independent trading |
| account is consolidating your investment | | | | account or a version of their managed |
| activity in one account cutting down | | | | accounts. Investors looking for a single |
| paperwork. Firstrade topped a survey by | | | | place to find all their financial |
| Kiplinger as the online stock trading | | | | services will find Wells Fargo a good |
| broker offering the most no-load mutual | | | | place to start. |
| funds without a transaction fee. | | | | Conclusion |
| Muriel Siebert | | | | Online stock trading sites offer |
| Muriel Siebert may not have the | | | | investors a wide range of tools, |
| marketing muscle of other online stock | | | | research and services. |
| trading sites but it is a solid | | | | Finding the right one for your style of |
| brokerage house worth your look. The | | | | investing and that meets your needs is a |
| company receives high marks for customer | | | | matter of visiting the sites to get a |
| service and research. The fee structure | | | | feel for the interface. |
| is straightforward and easy to | | | | Pay attention to the fee structure and |
| understand. | | | | how it works with your trading style. If |
| OptionsXpress | | | | you are an infrequent trader, look for |
| Despite its name, this online stock | | | | maintenance or inactivity fees. |
| trading site offers accounts that trade | | | | If you want advice, see how that affects |
| just about any type of security you want | | | | your trading costs. |
| including options, stocks, mutual funds, | | | | Many of these sites will let you open a |
| exchange traded funds, futures and more. | | | | demo account, which will give you an |
| This site is easy to use and gets to the | | | | idea how the real thing works. |