Updated Interactive Brokers Apps

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Interactive Brokers has updated its iPhone, iPad and Android apps. A major new feature found in each app is the ability to attach child orders to parent orders. These child orders can be of type bracket, stop loss and profit taker. Read our updated reviews:

Interactive Brokers iPhone App Review
Interactive Brokers iPad App Review
Interactive Brokers Android App Review

 
 
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Updated TradeKing Apps

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TradeKing has updated its iPhone and Android apps. Updates include bug fixes and performance enhancements. Still no word on an iPad app from TradeKing. Read our updated reviews:

TradeKing iPhone App Review
TradeKing Android App Review

 
 
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Updated OptionsHouse Apps

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OptionsHouse has released updates for their iPhone, iPad and Android apps. Updates include bug fixes and performance improvements. Check out our reviews here:

OptionsHouse iPhone App Review
OptionsHouse iPad App Review
OptionsHouse Android App Review

 
 
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Commission Free ETF News

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We have updated our commission free ETF list with the lastest funds.  Of note, Scottrade dropped their commission free ETF program while Schwab greatly expanded theirs.  Go here for the full details:

Stock Broker Commission Free ETFs

 
 
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Merrill Edge and TradeKing Android App Reviews

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We have added reviews for the Merrill Edge and TradeKing Android apps. Both apps are very similar to their iPhone counterparts. Because of the new reviews, TradeKing and Merrill Edge have moved up in our rankings, to #7 and #9 respectively.

Merrill Edge Android App Review
TradeKing Android App Review

 
 
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Stock Broker Summary Reviews

 

We have updated all of our stock broker summary reviews with our latest thoughts on all 17 reviewed brokers. This is a great place to get a good overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each broker. Check it out here:

Stock Broker Summary Reviews

 
 
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Stock Broker Stock and Options Trading Commissions

 

Which stock brokers offer lowest stock and options trading commissions? We do the work for you with our detailed lists and commission estimate tools. Today we updated our lists and tools with the latest commissions and fees. Read all about it here:

Stock Broker Stock Trading Commissions
Stock Broker Options Trading Commissions

 
 
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ShareBuilder Trading Commissions

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ShareBuilder has announced that as of March 1st, stock and options trading commissions are changing.  Here is how ShareBuilder describes those changes…


Which trade prices are changing?
Our online trade and options prices.

  • Online trades: You’ll now pay $6.95 when you execute a trade of stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on or after March 1, 2013. (Our Basic Pricing Program price has been $9.95. Our Advantage Pricing Program price has been $7.95.)
  • Options trades: Everyone will now pay $6.95 commission and $0.75 per contract. (Basic Pricing Program customers have been paying $9.95 and $1.25 per contract. Advantage Pricing Program customers had been paying $7.95 and $0.75 per contract.)

 

 

Basic Pricing
Before 3/1/13
Advantage Pricing
Before 3/1/13
All Pricing Programs
3/1/13 and After
Online Trades $9.95 $7.95 $6.95
Options Trades $9.95 +
$1.25/contract
$7.95 +
$0.75/contract
$6.95 +
$0.75/contract

For regular account holders this is a very nice price drop! ShareBuilder has gone from very average to offering some of the lowest stock and options trading commissions among all brokers.  For advantage account holders, this means commissions drop for you too, though the incentive to be an advantage account holder is now much less since you are no longer getting a better deal. Go here to view our full stock broker stock trading and options trading commissions comparison articles:

Stock Broker Stock Trading Commissions
Stock Broker Options Trading Commissions

 
 
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ShareBuilder Margin Rates

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ShareBuilder has announced that as of April 1st, margin rates are changing.  Here is how ShareBuilder describes the changes…


How are margin rates changing?
We are moving from four tiers of rates to eight tiers on April 1, 2013. Each tier will still have its own interest rate, which is based on the amount of money you borrow. There will no longer be a discounted margin rate for Advantage customers. If you’re using margin, you may be affected, depending on your balance.

Here’s how it’ll be, starting April 1, 2013:

Margin Balance Basic
Pricing Program
Before 4/1/13
Advantage
Pricing Program
Before 4/1/13
Both
Pricing Programs
4/1/13 and After
$0 - less than $10,000 7.70% 7.20% 7.70%
$10,000 - $25,000 7.70% 7.20% 7.50%
$25,000.01 - $50,000 7.70% 7.20% 7.25%
$50,000.01 - $100,000 6.70% 6.20% 6.70%
$100,000.01 - $250,000 6.70% 6.20% 6.50%
$250,000.01 - $500,000 4.70% 4.20% 5.25%
$500,000.01 - $1,000,000 4.70% 4.20% 4.90%
More than $1,000,000 4.70% 4.20% 4.70%

 


The real effect for regular customers is minimal and for advantage customers, this is a jump in every tier. ShareBuilder is certainly not among the stock brokers that offer the lowest margin rates.  Go here to view our full stock broker margin rate comparison article:

Stock Broker Margin Rates

 
 
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