Stock broking services are a necessity if you are looking at venturing into the mainstream share trading arena. Trading without a good stock broker is next to impossible in most cases. You should never be in a tearing hurry while endeavouring to select your stock broker. A good broker will always be the foundation of a productive and successful journey ahead. Making a wrong choice can result in a horrendous experience and hence the need to be ultra careful and selective before zeroing in on any one broker. Amateurs lack knowledge of proper trading techniques and other market developments. The early learning phases are most crucial to future success. Brokers should definitely not function as undesirable distractions during the same. Always go for a reputed, user friendly and easily understandable trading platform.
Stock broking services do not necessarily involve only the provision of a trading portal for investors. You should be clear about the entire spectrum of services and features that you desire. Commonly required services include portfolio services, trading accounts, live charts, technical tools, analytical tools for stock markets, and combined banking services, special recommendations, research reports, special market information services, newsletters and others. Also get an idea of the required minimum balance for investors with all the stock brokers you know and their charges for all the additional services that they provide. Generally full service brokers give you the entire bouquet of services but can also be quite fastidious about minimum account balance and other charges.
Discounted stock broking services are basically watered down avatars of full service counterparts. Costs are lower in this case and balance requirements are minimal or even zero in some cases. Investments and trading is possible on a full fledged scale with these brokers but third party charting services often come into the picture. However, these services can well turn out to be flexible and cheap enough for beginners. Direct stock brokers are usually members of stock exchanges with proper registration. They are usually bound by specific conditions of the exchange in question and pay up hefty security deposits to exchange controllers. They are often more reliable for investors. Sub brokers may give you more attention but there are certain risks associated towards investing with them.
