The Top Online Stock Trading Brokerage Firms

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When looking for a good online stock broker, the good news is that you have a world of choices. With dozens of name brand banks and financial institutions offering their stock brokerage services, how in the world do you know which one to choose?
The news you can use is that with so many to choose from, there isn't much separating the top 3 online brokers today.

These days, online stock brokers pretty much stand in for the services that the traditional brick and mortar brokerages did way back ten years ago. Used to be that when you had a yen to buy and sell stocks you'd pick up the phone and call your trusty broker to get your order filled. Well, those times pretty much went the way of the several competing travel agencies in town. Times change, and you can blame the internet.

You can still find human stock brokers, but thanks to the net, these days you can sit in your living room in your underwear and buy and sell stocks with the click of a mouse. Better yet, your orders are fulfilled at near the speed of light. No more suspense.

Of the dozen or so excellent online stock brokers, it is recognized that the top three are eTrade, AmeriTrade, and Scottrade.
The most popular firms aren't necessarily the cheapest, but their excellent service makes up for that shortfall.
You can expect to pay, on average, between $4 and $20 per trade, depending...

Most brokers offer pretty much the same basic services. To find the exact one that floats your trading boat the best, here's a couple of things to consider...

• Minimum account balance. How much do you need to start and how much do you need to maintain your account.

• Account level. Different account levels get charged differently. Usually bigger accounts get discount trades, so make sure that the advertised fee will apply to your account level.

• Margin and options trading. If you intend to use this, make sure your broker offer that and read their terms carefully - especially for margin accounts.

• Trading software. Some offer free trading software while others only offer it to those with a certain account level.

One thing to watch out for is that if you are outside of the United States, you'll need to check your paperwork. Usually you will need copies of your passport, birth certificate and tax forms to accompany your application.

Do your homework, and your trading will be better, easier, and more profitable.

Of course, there are two ways you can do your part to do your utmost to insure stock happiness and that is to invest in The Prudent Speculator, a Forbes Publication, and the Forbes Special Situation Survey. As investments go, this is pretty much a no brainer. Buy at a low cost, and reap HIGH rewards!