Stock markets world over are considered to be the best earner of the returns on the money. That said not everybody who invests in the stock markets becomes rich like Warren Buffet . However millions of people have become rich to some extent by the stock markets or at least they have earned above average returns on the money they invested.
Next is the issue of getting your feet wet in the stock markets before you take the plunge into the choppy waters of the stock markets. The best advice they have given on the stock markets is that it is not for the faint hearted. Also, the other advice is that stock markets carry more risk than any other type of investments but as they say higher the risk higher the gain. If you need to learn about the functioning of the stock markets then your best bet is to actually trade yourself. Your next step should be to open up an account at either an on-line trading company or brokerages or go to a full service broker which can guide through the whole investment process.
If want to learn the stock market without the hassles opening up a brokerage account then your best bet is to buy a stock market simulator software or a stock market basics learning DVD which can teach a few basics about the stock market without investing in the stock market.
Another factor to consider while learning the stock market is that you have to be very cautious in the early stages so as to learn the basics and not make any big gambles on the market. Those gambles and making huge bets that you hear people made and got huge amounts of profits will come later once you have got perfection in the art of picking the right stocks.
Based in Morris County, New Jersey, The Daily Record reviews the best brokerage firms around the brokerage world. It quotes Smart Money Magazine’s latest survey which placed Fidelity as “Premium Broker”, TradeKing as “Best Discount Broker”, and Merrill Lynch as “Best Full-Service Broker”.
Yet, the Daily Record newsroom, headed by Warren Boroson, responded that the survey of these three best brokerage firms may not be sufficient enough for brokerage trackers since it is not suitable for day-traders or those who buy only mutual funds. Accordingly, Smart Money’s survey and rankings are based only on buy-and-hold customers who are into stocks, bonds and mutual funds, those with a $50,000 account, and those who want to write covered calls.
Nevertheless, the ranking of the best brokerage firms by Smart Money has still been based according to set quantifiable and qualitative criteria. To determine the best brokerage firms, Smart Money sent their reliable field reporters to open brokerage accounts in 14 potential brokerage firms. The reporters bought and sold different kinds of securities, questioned the firms’ customer service through phone and e-mail, checked their account statements and tax forms, and reviewed scrutiny on the web sites, as among some of the survey’s conducted measures.
To note, the Smart Money study also included supplementary standards to further determine the best brokerage firms more accurately or to come up with the best possible approximation through their available means. They included the brokerage firms’ size of commission, investment products, banking amenities, trading tools, level of research, and customer service.
And the results – Fidelity, TradeKing, and Merrill Lynch as the three #1′s. Next to Fidelity in the honor as “Premium Broker” are E*Trade, Charles Schwab, Banc of America Investment Services, TD Ameritrade, WellsTrade, and Vanguard. Vanguard, as explained by Smart Money came last because it caters to fund-investors instead of stock-investors.
TradeKing grabbed “Best Discount Broker” although it is only a new-entry discount broker. Following the lead are Firstrade, OptionsXpress, Muriel Siebert, Scottrade, ThinkOrSwim, and WallStreet*E.
In the “Best Full-Service Broker”, Merrill Lynch is tagged-along by SmithBarney, Edward Jones, A.G. Edwards, Wachovia, Morgan Stanley, and UBS. Merrill Lynch replaced last year’s first-place Edward Jones because of the latter’s below-average stock-picking. Other special determinants used by Smart Money for their “Best Full-Service Broker” aside from the brokerage firm’s stock-picking are customer satisfaction and trust and statements.
Overall, the Daily Record recognizes Smart Money’s survey of the best brokerage firms. These may serve as good guide for people engaged or deciding to engage in brokerage, and also as good guiding-principle for self-company assessment of the forerunning brokers themselves. The outcomes of the study at least are good only for this year’06 – Just for the record.