Stock Brokers

If you want to crosscheck, from the early 1970s, the choices of stock brokers you can pick from has changed dramatically. Whereas prior to 1970 you only effectively had one type to chose from, which was the full service broker, today you can effectively chose from the following:

Types of Stock Brokers 

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There are different types of stock brokers based on services, pricing etc. some of the common types of stock brokers are indicated below 

  • Full service: These types normally work for one of the more famous investment brokerage companies. Normally they require an investor to open accounts with large initial deposits and most, if not all of the stock trading is done by the broker on behalf of their client. They offer investment advice, tips and reccommendations. In return for this very personal service, the broker will normally charge a large fee and commission structure. Certainly a nice way to trade in the stock market, but not necessarily a very profitable way to trade if you are only a small time stock market investor.


  • Discount brokers: These types came about in the 1970s as a result of the deregulation of the brokers’ fees. Prior to the 1970s, all brokers were required by law to charge their clients the same fees and commission. However, following the deregulation of stock brokers’ fees, discount stock market brokers appeared offering their services for a fraction of the cost originally charged by full service brokers.


  • Online stock brokers: These types are the product of the Internet. In that they came to be and offer their services online. Although they offer limited services as compared to others, they are effectively discount brokers. They can do this because their overheads are lower than all the other types mentioned.



Stock Brokers

When searching for Stock Brokers, the common question is always which type of broker should you choose?

When deciding which of the above type of broker you should be picking, consider;

(a) qualifications,

(b) support offered,

(c) availability,

(d) track record,

All things considered. Obviously, the track record of the broker is likely to be the most important element that you wish to consider, but do keep in mind that a broker really is only as good as their last trade or pick, so the other elements of the equation should also be given carefully consideration.

Above all the choosing of a Stock broker will depend mostly on your needs as an investor 

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