Guide Note: Online investing has made it much easier for the average individual to trade and purchase stocks and bonds and invest in mutual funds. Most brokers now offer an online investing feature for their clients, and "discount brokers" such as E*Trade, Ameritrade, Scottrade and Fidelity have gained in popularity due to ease of use, reasonable rates and fees, and increasing awareness via advertising on radio, television and other popular media.

Investors who want complete control over their investments, who do not want to pay a brokerage fee, and who want to cut out the middle-man may want to consider pursuing an online investment plan. Below is a breakdown of some of the higher-profile online investing services' rates and features. E*Trade:

Per trade transaction cost: $6.99-$9.99
Special: First 100 trades free
Cost per options contract: 75¢
Online trading seminars available

Ameritrade:

Per trade cost: $9.99
Special: First 30 days trading free
Cost per options contract: 75¢
Broker-assisted trading cost: $44.99

Scottrade:

Per trade cost: $7.00
Minimum to open: $500
Special: Free checking account available
Cost per options contract: $1.25

Fidelity:

Commissions range: $8-$19.95
Cost per options contract: 75¢
Minimum to open: $2,500
Automated trading available

Note: Information gathered in April 2008; All fees and specials are subject to change.

Categories

Technology | Internet | Business and Finance

View Note History

Online Investing

Also try: How to Choose a Mutual Fund | How to Buy Stocks | How to Read the Stock Market

The Mahalo Top 7

Investing Online Resource Center: Online Investing
The American Association of Individual Investors: Online Investing
Investopedia.com: Online Investing
NASAA.org: Investing Online Resource Center
Yahoo! Finance: Online Investing
Charles Schwab: Investment Products
HowStuffWorks: Online Trading

Online Investing Ads

Amazon.com: Jason Kelly's: The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing (Partner)
Amazon.com: Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World (Partner)
Amazon.com: Eric Tyson's Investing Online for Dummies, 5th Edition (Partner)

Online Investing News

Nasdaq: Company and Market News
Business Week: Investing
Kiplinger.com: Investing
The Wall Street Journal: Microsoft Expands Online Services
PRWeb: The Essential Online Resource for Property Investors (March 4, 2008)
USA Today: Life may take Visa, but you may want to leave it alone (March 3, 2008)
Forbes.com: Green Investing For A Solid Return (March 3, 2008)
Wallstreet & Technology: Online Investment Site Cake Moves into Facebook (February 27, 2008)
Business Standard: online from abroad (February 24, 2008)
winnipegsun.com: Wired investing (February 23, 2008)
Business Wire: Investing in Funds Online Helps You to Make Better Investment... (February 19, 2008)
TheStar.com: Full service vs. online investing (February 13, 2008)

Online Investing Tutorials and Education

Kansas.com: Tips for newlyweds investing online (February 26, 2008)
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Investor Tips
Investopedia: Brokers and Online Trading: Introduction
InfoPlease.com: Tips for Online Investing
Yahoo! Finance: Tips for Online Investing
Vanguard: Planning & Education
Investopedia: Stock Market Simulator

Online Investing Services

About.com: Best Online Trading Broker Websites
E*TRADE Financial: Online Investing Services
TD Ameritrade: Online Investing Services
ShareBuilder: Online Investing Services
Fidelity Investments: Online Investing Services
Charles Schwab: Online Investing Services
Vanguard: Online Investing Services
Scottrade: Online Investing Services

Online Investing Research Sources

InvestorGuide.com: Online Investing Research Sources
TheStreet.com: Online Investing Research Sources
The Motley Fool: Online Investing Research Sources
Google Finance: Online Investing Research Sources
MSN Money: Online Investing Research Sources

Online Investing Fraud and Scam Awareness

OnGuardOnline.gov: Investing Wisely Online
Investopedia: Investment Scams Introduction
FraudBureau.com: Stock Scams 101
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams

Related Searches

How Do Mutual Funds Work | How to Choose a Mutual Fund | How to Buy Stocks | How to Read the Stock Market | How to Track Stocks | Investing | Mutual Funds | Personal Finance | SEC | Stock Market | Stocks | Wall Street