Stock broker firms are responsible for providing buying and selling facilities of stocks and other securities on behalf of clients through a stock exchange or over the counter. In return, clients have to pay a fee or commission to those firms. Stock broker firms serve clients through their experienced agents or brokers. Most of the stock broker firms are web-based, which is a very profitable option for the investors since the online trading cost is much lower than a heavy stock broker commission. Online trading facility of the stock broker firms also provides direct access to the financial market.
In the United States, there are some of the best stock broker firms. Among the best stock broker firms, choosing one is a difficult task for an investor. Sometimes annual reviews of the stock brokerage firms can help them to find a trustworthy firm. Trading cost, Trading tools, mobile trading, investment products, customer service, stock analysis, banking service are some important features, need to consider in choosing a firm among the best stock broker firms.
Following are some of the best stock broker firms, all of them have achieved very good ratings from stockbrokers.com in different features.
TD Ameritrade:
TD Ameritrade is a well-established brokerage firm headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska and offers services for both individuals and retails. It is one of the best online broker service provider for online stock trading. Trading costs of TD Ameritrade are bit high compared to other brokers, current trade rates are:
Per trade cost: $6.95
Options base cost: $6.95
Options per contract cost: $0.75
The company has 24/7 customer support service. The company contributes a very good featured research report, which includes five reach arch providers. One can consider this as one of the best stock broker firms with no subscription fee.
E*TRADE Financial Corporation:
One of the best web platforms for stock trading, E*TRADE is headquartered in New York City. For self-directed investors, it is one of the good choices of stock brokerage firm. E*TRADE also has basic banking services for the retail investors. The current trade rates of the company are:
Per trade cost: $6.95
Options base cost: $6.95
Options per contract cost: $0.75
The company results in a very well-designed portfolio with options of watch lists and order entry pages for both stocks. They provide a satisfactory customer support service over phone or e-mail. The company also provides a simple and useful research report service to their clients. E*TRADE Financial offers a well featured mobile app for their clients with several handful features.
OptionsHouse is one of the best stock broker firms for E*TRADE for options trading, which offers both virtual trading and regular trading. Stock trade rates are comparatively low on this platform – per trade rate $4.95 and options trade and per contract rates are $4.95 and $0.50 respectively.
Fidelity Investments:
Fidelity is a widely popular full-service brokerage firm offers the service of stock brokers. It offers so many other financial services as well including retirement services, mutual fund, life insurance and other advisory services. It is spreading over 140 locations throughout the United States.
Compare to other full-service brokers; Fidelity Investments rates are lower. Like other competitors, Fidelity also follows the flat-fee trading rate structure as follows:
Per trade cost: $4.95
Options trade cost: $4.95
Options per contract rate: $0.65
The company results in a very good research report with ratings, equity summary score and twelve different third-party research reports. Fidelity offers quality, easy to use mobile app service for both Apple devices and androids. For the investors looking for a discount trading, Fidelity is certainly an excellent option.
Charles Schwab Corporation:
Charles Schwab is one of the largest banks and brokerage firms, based in San Francisco California. The corporation is dedicated to providing various high-quality financial services, and hence with their quality services, Charles Schwab is well popular among the people of the United States. Trading rates are lower than some other full-time competitors like TD Ameritrade and E*TRADE and are as follows:
Per trade cost: $4.95
Options trade cost: $4.95
Options per contract cost: $0.65
The research report quality of the corporation is excellent with its own view point. Charles Schwab has three different platforms for clients – Trade Source the website, web-based StreetSmart.com, desktop-based StreetSmart Edge. It also offers a well featured mobile app for all major devices.
Ally Invest:
Previously known as TradeKing, Ally Invest is an online discount brokerage firm. Very useful and popular platform for investors where they can buy and sell securities like stocks, mutual funds, bonds, options and more. Ally Invest charges the following rates for trading:
Per trade cost: $4.95
Options trade cost: $4.95
Options per contract rate: $0.65
For active traders, Alloy Invest offers lower trade rates and for them per trade cost $3.95, options trade cost $3.95 and per contract cost $0.50. Mobile trading app of Ally Invest is useful for iOS and Android, but it is not much popular compared to other competitors. The high-quality research report, charting and advanced trading tools of the Ally Invest helps the investors in the direct access to the stock market.
Some other well-known stock broker firms with affordable rate are – Scottrade, Merrill Edge, Interactive brokers, OptionsHouse, Capital One Investing, Trade Station, etc.
