| For both novice and veteran stock investors and | | | | access your money accounts preferably as a |
| traders, the stock broker plays a very crucial role | | | | linked account. |
| in the moneymaking venture. After all, the speed | | | | Third, you must look at the extra benefits |
| with which your stock broker carries out your | | | | offered by the stock broker. Look at free |
| order for execution or the way your accounts | | | | reports, free bonuses and free brokerage fees, |
| are managed by full service stock brokers can | | | | to name a few extras. The following are five of |
| mean the difference between losing and profiting | | | | the best brokers as ranked by both brokers and |
| on the market trends. | | | | consumers: |
| It is very important to find the best stock broker | | | | * ThinkOrSwim is consistently rated as the |
| for your needs. Take note that the emphasis is | | | | number one online stockbroker in 2009 and 2010 |
| on the best for your needs precisely because | | | | by Barron's for good reasons. You are provided |
| your investment and trading goals, objectives and | | | | with 24/7 customer support, flexible commission |
| strategies are as unique as your personality. | | | | plans, useful educational tools and the opportunity |
| There are certain criteria that can serve your | | | | to try out the trading platform for free. |
| ends well. These points to consider can be applied | | | | * Etrade is also ranked number one in 2009 |
| no matter your goals, objectives and strategies. | | | | although by SmartMoney. With its Mobile Pro |
| First, your stockbroker should charge brokerage | | | | service, you can trade anywhere and anytime |
| rates and accounts within your budget. You do | | | | using an iPhone or a BlackBerry. |
| not want to pay for charges that take out a big | | | | * TradeKing offers a big community of over |
| fraction of whatever profits are obtained from a | | | | 150,000 investors sharing trade research, ideas |
| single trade. | | | | and analysis, which is very useful for both |
| Second, one of the most important criteria of | | | | first-time and veteran traders. |
| choosing the best stock broker is that he should | | | | * Scottrade provides for a flat fee of $7 for all |
| provide easy access through phone and he must | | | | trades as well as premium trading tools. When it |
| give easy access to your own money. For one | | | | comes to customer loyalty, Scottrade is number |
| thing, you want to be protected from Internet | | | | one in many books. |
| shutdowns so phone access must be present at | | | | * Zecco is one of the best brokers when it |
| all times. For another thing, you want options to | | | | comes to offering discount trades. |