I guess I am really overpaying. I have my account at Fidelity since that is where I first started with the mutual funds. I started off paying $19.95 per trade for about the first week. I called Fidelity, and they changed my account to a "Silver" account which changed the fees to $10.95 per trade as of October 24. I called again today and was moved to a "Gold" account which will make each trade $8.00 starting tomorrow.
Fidelity isnt a direct access broker. Those kind of fees are typical. I think Ameritrade is even higher.
I found that the $40 roundtrip gave me something to shoot for in just trying to break even on each trade as I am just beginning. I guess at some time I should switch to a direct access broker. Are there any advantages or disadvantages besides commission rates? I found out the "Gold" level $8.00 price is not limited to <1000 share trades unlike the $10.95 which had additional charges for 1000+ share trades. I only have 100-325 share trades right now depending on the price of the ETFs.
Jason, go with Interactive Brokers if you're looking to trade 100-325 multiple times during the day. you'll save a bundle. Check out their commissions = .005/share with a minimum of $1.00. http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/accounts/fees/commission.php Click on stocks, bundled. I just saved you thousands per month
direct access is for day traders...thats the only difference. OH, and they charge high % rates to hold over night.
I have been making between 5-15 total trades per day. I have about $35,000 in the account and about another $35,000 in margain that I do trade with each day. I do hold margin overnight somewhat regularly, but I do not use the "daytrading" money to trade which is another $70,000. The margin interest rate is around 10-11% at Fidelity at the amounts I have/use. I plan on moving to IB at some point, and I already filled out most of the application online (at the point where you have to tell how funds will be transfered). I just haven't changed yet due to waiting for things to settle and losing some trading days. Is there a best/fastest way to transfer ETFs & money from Fidelity to IB? Do I have to not trade for three days until everything settles to transfer? I called IB, but they were not very helpful.
from 9/5/07 5 trades ( 2 winners / 3 losers) shares traded: 1000 Stocks traded: GS, , TNH, JCP average winner: 20.50 average loser: 38.31 commission: 31.00 todays P/L - 30.24 ----------------- today 9/6/07 5 trades ( 2 winners / 3 losers) shares traded: 1000 Stocks traded: GS, LEH, AAPL, RIMM average winner: 70.00 average loser: 81.00 commission: 30.00 todays P/L - 133.00 [/B][/QUOTE]
3 trades ( 0 winners / 3 losers) shares traded: 500 Stocks traded: JCP, CTDC, BHI average winner: 0.00 average loser: 57.00 commission: 18.00 todays P/L - 171.00 -- from 8/29 to 9/7 down - 316.13 ( down 1.05 % )
4 trades ( 2 winners / 2 losers) shares traded: 400 Stocks traded: JCP, GS, LEH, GRMN average winner: 38.5 average loser: 60.75 commission: 24.00 todays P/L - 68.50 --
Here is are the following 4 charts for todays trades LEH Missed the first move, then sold too way too early, but took profits where i could.