| In bull markets and bear markets stock brokerages | | | | and other investments as you gain greater |
| seem to pop up everywhere. You will see full-page | | | | experience. Whenever you make a transaction i.e. |
| advertisements in newspapers and on financial | | | | place a buy or a sell order you pay the broker a |
| websites for brokers which offer various incentives | | | | commission. This is usually a fixed rate that could be |
| to first-time investors and to those who have | | | | as low as $5 or as high as a couple hundred dollars. |
| existing investment accounts with other brokerages. | | | | The commission ranges depending on your choice of |
| But what are stock brokerages and how do you | | | | a discount or a traditional full-service broker. |
| determine the right one for you? | | | | Traditional brokerages offer a range of services such |
| Stock brokerages are highly regulated financial | | | | as professional advice with personalized investment |
| services firms that play a critical role in the buying | | | | choices and other tailored solutions. Discount brokers |
| and selling of stocks on all major exchanges. These | | | | are geared towards investors who prefer making |
| firms have the ability to trade shares daily while | | | | their own decisions with as little guidance as possible. |
| permitting others to use their accounts for trading | | | | In the case of traditional brokers, you end up paying |
| purposes. This feature provided by brokers is used | | | | top dollar for their guidance and could be well worth |
| by small investors as well as sub-brokers. | | | | the cost if you have a substantial portfolio and dont |
| Why are brokerage firms important to you? The first | | | | have the time to manage it yourself. However if you |
| step to building your investment portfolio is usually by | | | | enjoy doing the research and simply want a |
| opening up a brokerage account. Through such an | | | | brokerage that will execute your orders you are |
| account, you can trade stocks, bonds, mutual funds | | | | better off going for a discount online broker. |