This firm has the perfect solution for your trading. http://www.piker.com Pronunciation: 'pI-k&r Function: noun Etymology: pike to play cautiously, of unknown origin 1 : one who gambles or speculates with small amounts of money 2 : one who does things in a small way; also : TIGHTWAD, CHEAPSKATE
if you intend to use a charting software as well, then you can try the tradestation package. if you will not use any professional charting software than tradestation is not relevant.
Why? Because trading is expensive business. Yes, you can do some cost saving, but not like avoiding exchange fees. -Puting $20, $100 in you account, actually it's not any difference than having no money in your account, there is no emotion involved. -Puting on few traders a year, don't hold any truth about validity of your strategy, you need to make 100 trades a year as long term investor at least for any proven strategy Look at this thread to see what others are spending http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51723&perpage=6&pagenumber=1
If the guy wants to make a couple of trades per year, $120 per year for quotes blows . I don't think he has to subscribe to data to trade
Try buy & hold dot com. It Is against ET policy to post the link... Get Creative Unlimited window trades (3 windows per day) for a flat fee of 14.95/mo... Michael B.
I'm starting with $10,000 not $20. I don't intend to use all of it though (at least not at first) Also I don't agree with your 100 trades a year rule. Sounds like something a broker would say.
Nothing is wrong. If I were in your shoes I would contact an IB rep and ask if you can turn the market data off for stocks so you don't have to pay the market data monthly fee ($10). If you can do this, it might be strange to trade, since the TWS works best when it has quotes showing. You'll have to find another source for quotes.
Looking at all of MB Trading's fees that are in addition to the penny a share, I think IB for sure has the better deal for stocks. IB's all included price keeps my accounting simple. AshanD, I like your plan for getting started with your education in stock trading (go slow and see what develops). If you are young in your years, you will have a lot of time to learn and perfect your methods. I wish you the best.