is bid-ask spread for equities the same from one broker to another?

Hello,
I was wondering if the bid-ask spread for equities was the same from one broker to another.
Also, how much would you say the average bid-ask spread on stocks that comprise the S&P500 is (in % of the price?)

 

The easiest way would be to look at the bid-ask on the SPY etf. It's what, .01 most of the time?

You can also do the actual calculations involving all 500 stocks. I'm sure it'll end up being 1-3 cents most of the time. Keep in mind the first 5 min it'll be much wider than the rest of the day.

In terms of percentages...the simplest way to describe it with SPY is to say that the bid-ask spread there is about 1 basis point since it's a $100 stock. 1 basis point=1/100th of 1 percent or .0001.

 

it does not change from one broker to another?

 

Not if you're dealing with real/honest brokerages, otherwise take your money & run.

You might find some latency/delay in data from one broker compared to another but that's rare otherwise it should all be the same.

 

Thanks very much for your replies.

 

I use 2 trading platforms at once - 2 different brokers - and the bid/ask is always the same for what while I'm watching except when a major volatility move is in progress; then the bid/ask often gets crossed.