Online Stock Broker

A good online stock broker can make your life as a trader so much easier. These days when someone speaks of their online stock broker they are more than likely referring to the stock brokerage firm rather than an individual. Before the popularity of online stock trading a "stock broker" was a person who placed your trades for you.

The popularity of online stock brokers has skyrocketed for a number of reasons. One reason is that many individual traders and investors have become more savvy and desire to make their own investment decisions. They are more easily able to do so because of factors such as increased internet speeds, faster personal computers, and greater access to stock prices via stock quotes and stock tickers. For the most part all online stock brokers have chosen to become discount stock brokers rather than full-service stock brokers who offer investment advice.

Clients of an online stock market trading broker have access to a wide variety of increasingly sophisticated stock trading platforms. The trading platforms represent the ultimate in convenience. In prior years traders had to receive their stock quotes and stock market news from dedicated trading terminals. Today most trading platforms allow the trader to access vital stock information from anywhere in the world via the internet.

Many online brokers now have total account management capabilities. A trader can easily see how his trades are doing in real time as well as get an overall view of his account equity.

Traders can easily place stock trades online. Some online trading platforms have the ability to "park" trades. This means that you set where you wish to enter or exit a trade and "park" that trade without actually placing the trade. Whenever you are ready you can make the trade active. One of the most popular features of many online brokers is the ability to place simulated trades. This is basically a practice trading account with an imaginary amount of money in it, for instance $100,000. Simulated trading is not necessarily designed to be all fun and games. It serves the purpose to familiarize the trader with the functions of the trading platform prior to committing real funds to trading. This coupled with a trader’s ability to test out his trading ideas without risking actual capital makes simulated trading very useful and powerful.

There are a number of thing to consider when choosing an online stock broker. Naturally, as a trader you will need to know their commissions and fees.
The trade execution time and the ease of use of their trading platform are also important. As more and more brokerages get into online trading you will see an even greater increase in the number of financial services that are bundle with online trading accounts. Carefully weigh your options when making an online stock broker comparison and choose one that meets or exceeds your requirements for cost, speed, features, and convenience.