It depends on which broker you deal with at Refco. There's a new broker in T.O. just looking after the online clients and she charges $10.00 R.T. plus fees, no matter what the volume of trades. I trade futures. E-mini S&P & T-Bonds.
I've been with IB for 7 months now and have yet to phone in an order. There were some problems back in aug/sept but they since have been solved. I can't remember the last time TWS was down since then. IB Advantages: rock bottom commissions universal account to trade stocks futures options in multi currency access to all electronic markets cutting edge trading platform constantly updated with new features fully automated account opening and management same day wire transfer ins free sameday wire transfer outs low low margin rates daytrading margins lots of feedback forums, polls, communiques. IB is a BIG company with vast financial resources. Tradefreedom , Questrade are small boutiques offer private label software platforms of larger U.S. daytrading firms. With IB though you dont get a full blown quote system so you'll need to subscribe to one seperately such as ESignal , Real Tick etc. The ton of $ you will save in commission will more than pay for the quote system though.
doing a presentation for CSTA on the 22nd Jan '03, and then will be at investor show. see: http://www.csta.org/events/calendar-toronto.html#january22 and: http://www.financialforum.ca/toronto/exlist.asp for details.
Mark Bennett of Interactive Brokers will be talking about: - their unique order entry systems - how it interacts with automated software platforms - the regulatory environment surrounding their business - the evolution of trading platforms - the direction of thier company But strangely there is no consideration seems to be given from IB to support RRSP accounts ...
trader42, Canadian regulators fined US firms which offered brokerage services to Canadians. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think these firms were actually forced to pay up as part of the settlement agreement. http://www.siliconinvestor.com/stocktalk/msg.gsp?msgid=16513568
thx. I recall this. I got the impression that people were interested working in the US with Canadian qualifications.
The obvious reason I was referring to was a work visa. A prop firm such as Heartland or ETG is not going to want to go through the hassle (let alone the expense) of getting an incoming Canadian trader a work visa when they can find an American with the same skills.
whoops!! Really should have read the original post - sorry 'bout the confusion axehawk, do you want to work for a large institution, and if not, have you looked into trading through a prop firm in Canada? Bright apparently runs an operation in B.C.