| If you are thinking of investing in the rising stock | | | | announced a special promotion where new clients |
| market or just looking to start an IRA then you need | | | | who deposit at least $2,000 will have commissions |
| an online broker . In today's online world there are | | | | charged during their first 60 days of trading rebated |
| lots of good choices, but the key things to look for | | | | for up to 500 stock or options transactions. |
| are still around cost, convenience and customer | | | | (4 Stars) OptionsHouse was again awarded a "Best |
| support. Luckily Barron's, the leading investment | | | | for Options Traders" ranking. It also has very cheap |
| magazine for everyday investor's, has shortened this | | | | $2.95 stock trades. The survey found the broker's |
| list in its annual survey of Best Online Brokers. The | | | | packed with tools for options traders, and it has |
| survey measures overall brokerage performance | | | | added some for stock traders, too. It was awarded |
| based on eight key aspects: trade experience, trading | | | | four stars for Trade Experience, Research Amenities, |
| technology, usability, range of offerings, research | | | | Portfolio Analysis; Report, and Customer Service; |
| amenities, portfolio analysis and reporting, customer | | | | Education. The core of the Options- House platform |
| service and education, and cost. So without further | | | | is its risk viewer. President George Ruhana says, "We |
| ado, here are my picks from the survey: | | | | really want people to understand the risk associated |
| (4 Stars) E*Trade. The trading platform is a one-stop | | | | with their positions." He notes that a customer may |
| shopping destination (convenient), and features | | | | have a position that is suitable on the basis of his |
| terrific mobile-trading applications. The broker has | | | | margin but inappropriate for the size of his account. |
| enhanced a number of services, including fixed | | | | The potential effects of a change in the market on |
| income, research, retirement planning, active trader | | | | your positions, and your overall portfolio, are nicely |
| and advice-based tools. It's also implemented some | | | | laid out and understandable. Clients place |
| navigation improvements, allowing for greater site | | | | approximately 100 trades per year. The firm launched |
| customization and focused on better customer | | | | a mobile-Web application in October 2009 that |
| service. Mobile Pro for the iPhone is one of the best | | | | handles trades, order management, and portfolio |
| mobile-trading apps we've seen, and includes | | | | management. An iPhone-specific app is planned for |
| streaming video and options quotes. As the year | | | | later this year. They are also currently running a |
| goes on, E*Trade plans to improve its mobile | | | | special offer their new customers who get 100 free |
| applications further; the firm is being rewarded by a | | | | trades after they fund an account. Best of all, there |
| huge increase in trades placed via mobile devices. This | | | | are no time limit for trades. |
| long established and leading broker recently | | | | |