08-17-2007, 08:22 AM
Dori,
Consumer Reports did a survey and ratings of popular online investment services in the June 2007 issue that you can probably find in your local library.
Here are links to some of them:
http://www.tdameritrade.com
http://www.scottrade.com
http://www.schwab.com
http:///www.fidelity.com
http://www.etrade.com
http://www.bankofamerica.com/investments
I have personally been using Schwab since before the Internet (B/I) and I was having to use Compuserve and BBS's for online information. I have been very happy with them because they have been around a long time (survivor) and seem to be on a continuous improvement roll. Schwab offers banking services through their Schwab Bank subsidiary. I have also been happy with their ability to link my brokerage account to my day to day banking account. I am thinking about switching my checking sinc they offer a high interest rate.
Most of the large banks also offer online trading. Some like Bank of America offer free trades if you have a qualified regular bank account.
I also like Schwab for their online tools (stock/Mutual Fund/ETF screeners and analyst reports as well as data on stocks,mutual funds ( fees and tax efficiency) and ETFs. Some of the premium services like analyst reports require a minimum portfolio size. I consolidated all of my IRAs into Schwab.
I like Yahoo for researching and analyzing stocks. http://www.finance.yahoo.com
allows you to create and track portfolios so you can test your stock picking before you commit real money. They have a really spiffy stock screaner. I would suggest you understand the meaning of the basic criteria (like P/E, PEG, ROA, Current Ratio, etc) and know what is good/mediocre/bad before doing your own investing. Yahoo has some pre-built screens you can use to test your understanding. Stick with Highly rated mutual funds and ETF's until you do. You also need the discipline to read and understand 10K reports instead of the glossy annual reports. Try to find other people who have the same interest in investing and form a club where you can meet and explain things to each other. I have always found the best way to test you knowledge of a subject is to try to explain it to someone else.
Investing intelligently is very hard work. Use the advise in various investing columns as a starting point for more research and not let someone you don't know make your investing decisions. If you are not willing to spend the time to research and learn, I would suggest gathering a handfull of chicken bones instead.
Larry
Consumer Reports did a survey and ratings of popular online investment services in the June 2007 issue that you can probably find in your local library.
Here are links to some of them:
http://www.tdameritrade.com
http://www.scottrade.com
http://www.schwab.com
http:///www.fidelity.com
http://www.etrade.com
http://www.bankofamerica.com/investments
I have personally been using Schwab since before the Internet (B/I) and I was having to use Compuserve and BBS's for online information. I have been very happy with them because they have been around a long time (survivor) and seem to be on a continuous improvement roll. Schwab offers banking services through their Schwab Bank subsidiary. I have also been happy with their ability to link my brokerage account to my day to day banking account. I am thinking about switching my checking sinc they offer a high interest rate.
Most of the large banks also offer online trading. Some like Bank of America offer free trades if you have a qualified regular bank account.
I also like Schwab for their online tools (stock/Mutual Fund/ETF screeners and analyst reports as well as data on stocks,mutual funds ( fees and tax efficiency) and ETFs. Some of the premium services like analyst reports require a minimum portfolio size. I consolidated all of my IRAs into Schwab.
I like Yahoo for researching and analyzing stocks. http://www.finance.yahoo.com
allows you to create and track portfolios so you can test your stock picking before you commit real money. They have a really spiffy stock screaner. I would suggest you understand the meaning of the basic criteria (like P/E, PEG, ROA, Current Ratio, etc) and know what is good/mediocre/bad before doing your own investing. Yahoo has some pre-built screens you can use to test your understanding. Stick with Highly rated mutual funds and ETF's until you do. You also need the discipline to read and understand 10K reports instead of the glossy annual reports. Try to find other people who have the same interest in investing and form a club where you can meet and explain things to each other. I have always found the best way to test you knowledge of a subject is to try to explain it to someone else.
Investing intelligently is very hard work. Use the advise in various investing columns as a starting point for more research and not let someone you don't know make your investing decisions. If you are not willing to spend the time to research and learn, I would suggest gathering a handfull of chicken bones instead.
Larry
Larry