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Investing For Dummies, 7th Edition
book

Investing For Dummies, 7th Edition

by Eric Tyson
July 2014
Beginner
432 pages
12h 3m
English
For Dummies
Content preview from Investing For Dummies, 7th Edition

Chapter 9

Choosing a Brokerage Firm

In This Chapter

arrow Understanding the different types of brokerage firms

arrow Shopping for a discount broker

arrow Surfing for an online broker

When you invest in certain securities — such as stocks and bonds and exchange-traded funds — and when you wish to hold mutual funds from different companies in a single account, you need brokerage services. Brokers execute your trades to buy or sell stocks, bonds, and other securities and enable you to centralize your holdings of mutual funds and other investments. Your broker can also assist you with other services that may interest you.

In this chapter, I explain the ins and outs of discount brokers and online brokers to help you find the right one for your investment needs.

Getting Your Money’s Worth: Discount Brokers

Prior to 1975, all securities brokerage firms charged the same fee, known as a commission, to trade stocks and bonds. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the federal government agency responsible for overseeing investment firms and their services, regulated these commissions.

Beginning May 1, 1975 — which is known in the brokerage business as “May Day” — brokerage firms were free to compete ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781118884935Purchase book