Finding The Right Brokerage

   Everyone who wants to trade stocks must first open an account with a brokerage. If you look on the internet, there are several good companies out there. I, personally, have used Scottrade for many years, but they have been bought out by TD Ameritrade.   
    Having the best stock broker to serve individual needs is very important for any investor. For example, cheap trades most often come at the expense of less research tools and a more simplified trade platform. Consider these 11 key factors to help compare all stock brokers and ultimately find the best broker to suite your needs.
1. Trade Commissions
What does it cost to buy shares of stock? Does the fee change based on the type of order or size of order? To keep it simple, look for brokers that offer flat-fee trades, ie charging a flat rate regardless of the type, price of the stock, or size of the order.
2. Customer Service
When picking up the phone or emailing a broker, is a well trained customer service representative ready to assist? How any investor is treated as a client is more important to some than others. But, even for those that don’t rely on customer support that often, to know that they have award winning service there when they need it is comforting.
3. Trading Tools
Trading successfully is a lot easier when investors have great tools at their disposal. A top stock broker should offer access to a wide variety of trade tools to help make the most of each and every trade. From real-time streaming quotes to last sale tickers, quality stock scanners, mobile trading apps, and level II quotes to name a few. Strong tools are essential for active investors.
4. Account Minimums
Some brokers allow you to open an account with no minimum deposit while others may require several thousand dollars. Also know that some brokers require higher minimums to gain access to premium platforms, functionality, and personalized support.
5. Market Research
A good online broker will provide a variety of market research tools. The rule of thumb here is simple: the more you pay per trade, the better the market research (both fundamental and technical) that is provided.
6. Investment Options
A online stock broker should offer access to not only trading stocks, but also a strong selection of no load mutual funds, commission free ETFs, and complex options. Other unique investment offerings to look for could include direct market routing, conditional orders, futures trading, and forex trading.
5. Other Fees
Fees beyond trade commissions include inactivity fees (common with active trading brokers such as Interactive Brokers, Lightspeed, and TradeStation) and IRA fees for having a retirement account. While most brokers do not charge predatory fees, it’s still important to do your due diligence. Just like a bank account, stock brokers also make a portion of their profits off miscellaneous fees.
8. Retirement Accounts
Funding a IRA, Roth IRA, or other retirement account with no annual fees is an extra perk many online brokers offer. There is no reason why you should pay an annual fee to have an retirement account. If managing your own portfolio is not of interest, all full-service brokers offer optional advisory services as well.
9. Banking
Larger online brokers offer banking and other financial services. This goes beyond money market accounts and CDs. Checking accounts, mortgages, debit cards, and credit cards can also be offered.
10. Account Security
Because of the web today, all online brokers invest heavily into account security. SSL websites (look for “https” at the beginning any URL) are used by most brokers and some are now even offering two-factor authentication (using your phone to confirm a code before logging in). Just like shopping online and choosing a trustworthy website to purchase from, the best bet is to choose a well-known, established broker for your portfolio.
11. Speed & Order Execution
For the active trader, execution speed and fill price are very important. I won’t get too in depth here but I have tested many of these brokers and there can be noticeable differences in trade execution times and quality. For the majority of investors, saving a penny per share on a 100 shares order isn’t the end of the world, but for active traders it is something to look into.
    Anyway, these are just tips for finding an online broker for you to use. When I first started trading all I was concerned about was the fees I was charged. Later on I was interested in the charting tools they offered as well as the general help they provided with my account. Now I am looking at several brokers, but I see no reason to leave my current one that I have been 'grandfathered' in to using. It doesn't hurt to shop around a little, as it is your money that you are trusting with them. Make them work for you and not the other way around.


Have a Great Day,
Roger

The Software

Hello,
   I want to start by explaining how easy it is to use Stock Neuromaster. This software allows you to pick any stock and create different training models for that stock. You simply choose the model that produces the best results, then use that model to trade with. The software gives you the signal to 'Buy', 'Sell', or 'Hold' each and every day. Just follow the recommendations produced from the software, and you can make money on any stock, even 'stinkers' so to say.
   Every stock is tradable, no mater what the market is doing. The software does all the computations needed to discern the turning points up or down. You can even choose to receive signals to 'short' the stock as well as to 'go long'. We will get into shorting a stock later on. Artificial Intelligence in computers has been a reality for many years now. This software applies A.I. to equity trading, and has become very, very efficient at doing so.
   Just so you know, I do not work for Stock Neuromaster or its affiliates. I simply wanted to share with you how well I have done with this software over the years. I also wanted to teach those people that own the software how to get the most out of it. I also wanted to teach people the basics in stock trading so that they could be more familiar with things like margin, shorting, and the like. So stick with me and I will guide you through the world of equity trading.

Have a Great Day,
Roger

Artificial Intelligence in Stock Trading

   There is a new trend in equity trading that involves the use of artificial intelligence. For many years certain people have tried to emulate the synapsis of the brain in a neural network that mimics the human capabilities to foresee events given data sets to overcome the random output that normally occurs. By normalizing random events and setting aside the important outcomes, a theme occurs allowing for constant, and repeatable outcomes that reflect future favorable events. In other words, artificial intelligence in equity trading has become a science in itself, and has been perfected in software available to the public.
   My blog will be focused on the premier software of artificial  intelligence in equity trading. The software is Stock Neuromaster developed by Konstantin Grek, originally from Russia. I am going to start with the basics of stock trading, focusing on the newcomers to this venture which can seem quite overcoming to some.

Have a Great Day,
Roger