Is Full Service the Best Stock Broker Option? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Reece Mathews   
Sunday, 28 March 2010 14:32
You can't start trading after you make a complete trading plan. You need to pick the best stock broker first. You need to have the most outstanding expert on your side because you can't afford to lose most of your investment cash.
by ReeceMathews


You can't start trading after you make a complete trading plan. You need to pick the best stock broker first. You need to have the most outstanding expert on your side because you can't afford to lose most of your investment cash.

There are two types of brokers that you can choose from. One offers full service while the other offers limited help. The terms alone offer some clue as to the kind and level of assistance that you will receive. A lot of new traders may feel more comfortable with services that come in full because they get the notion that their investments will be better cared for. This may or may not be true depending on several factors. You need to determine if complete brokerage providers are more suited to your situation.

A stock market broker who provides full service can be beneficial. Traders who know very little about trading or who don't have much time to get involved in their investments need full service providers. Part of the role of these brokers is to give good advice to guide investors. They are hence, more than just platforms for placing trades. The pieces of advice that reputable brokers shell out are often reliable because they are based on research and expert analysis so you can be sure that your broker is working for your interests.

Because trading technical advice is highly sought after, getting full service seems sensible. The truth though is that it is only really a good idea if you don't have a very stable system in place. If you do have a good trading system, you might be better off with discount stock brokers. If your trading system has been back tested and you are confident that it is reliable, then a full service broker can only make matters confusing for you. His inputs may clash or contradict with your system.

As the term suggests, going for a brokerage that also serves as a source of advice is a bit costly. You may have to provide commissions of 1% to 2%. The more affordable services that don't give extra advice can charge lower than half this percentage rate. This is another good reason for confident traders to opt for discount stock brokers.

Both broker choices can be good for certain traders depending on their circumstances. Hence, the best choice depends on the individual trader's skill and situation. You can use the good advice of full service brokers if you truly need good advice. If you feel however that you can perform better when you are in control, then you can choose cheaper broker services.

Keep in mind that regardless of your broker choice, it is still infinitely better to attempt to generate your own unique trading system. Even if you have the best stock broker on your side, he can never truly give you the assurance that your losses can be kept at a level that you can endure. Only a system can identify the right risk levels for you.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.