Trading online emerged from most stock exchanges becoming automated the late 1990's. Most stock exchanges began to use computers to replace floor traders. Online stockbroking has become widely popular due to convenience, discount trading fees and access to information.
Comparing online brokerages
Online brokerages can offer a wide range of services and service levels and choosing the right one for your needs can depend on whether you require advice on what and when to buy or sell (advisory service) or just someone to buy/sell on your order (non-advisory). You may also have a need for access to online tools, live market data and research services etc. and all these components will change the cost of the service. So to some extent choosing the right broker is about finding the service that fits your stock investment/trading needs and service requirements.
Online broker directory
A listing of companies providing a range of services for trading commodities, stocks etc. online.
1st Discount Brokerage, Inc. Full service brokerage and personal finance firm.
Ameritrade, Inc. Discount broker for NYSE, NASDAQ, and OTC equities, options, mutual funds, money market and IRA accounts. Flat commissions.
BMO InvestorLine Trade by phone or wireless. Access charts, news, calculators and portfolio tracking.
CyberTrader Direct access brokerage for the active trader.
Datek Online Discount broker, offering low cost market and limit order trades on the NYSE and NASDAQ. Research options also available.
Day Traders Network Instinet and Island trading during and afterhours. Direct client trader communication for fast competitive stock executions.
Direct-Issue IPO (initial public offering) and corporate bond issuing services, for investment banks, stock brokers, corporate issuers and borrowers. Free online stock trading for institutional investors and traders including IPOs and multi-currency investments.
E Trade Financial Stock trading, banking and advice.
Eurotrade Transparent and direct to market trading in global financial markets via the Internet.
Excellent Executions Provides a customized service to Institutional Clients.
Firefly Trading Free real-time Nasdaq Level II trading platform, Soes, SelectNet and ECN's for active traders.
Firstrade Securities Inc. Discount commissions, wireless trading, access to IPOs, research, streaming real time quotes.
HDFC Securities Ltd One stop brokerage for stock trading.
HSBC Broking Services (Asia) Ltd. Provide trading, market information, free stock quotes and charts.
IFX Markets Offers Forex and CFDs on margin trading online. Investment Management. FSA regulated.
Internaxx Provides access to major exchanges in North America, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Also covers mutual funds. Has call center.
Investrade Discount Securities Online investing: trade stocks, options, bonds, IRAs and mutual funds.
JetTrade.com Discount trading of mutual funds, options, equities and bonds.
Muriel Siebert and Co., Inc. Received the top five-star ranking in Kiplinger's November 1999 of online brokerage firms.
Navy Federal Financial Group Source for money management, investing, and insurance services.
OptionsXpress Online option and stock brokers. Comprehensive site for both experienced and novice equity option investors.
PennTrade Trade all U.S., Canadian, OTCBB and Pink Sheet stocks online with one flat commission.
Questrade Inc. Offers direct access online trading to the U.S. and Canada equity and U.S. options markets with customized Web- and PC-based trading platforms.
Stocktrade Based in Edinburgh. The execution-only division of Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited, a long-established UK broker.
TD Waterhouse Group Offers trading in stocks, open and closed-end mutual funds, bonds, money market funds, CDs, UITs, and options.
Terra Nova Online Direct-access trading platforms for active stock and option traders.
