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