best stock broker/platform

I wanted to diversify my investment with stocks. I want to know what you guys think of the top brokers/platforms for stock trading.

I'm looking for things like quality platforms, stock screening capabilities, no or low initial deposit and lwo commisions

thanks

Hey my friend, consider TD Ameritrade. I have used them for years and very satisfied.

Low pricing, several different option tools for researching, very good support, fast executions, great strategy desk options, and rated The Best Web Browser-Based Online Broker by Barron’s in 2007.

Here is the link: http://www.tdameritrade.com/welcome1.html

So i choose Oanda then for my trading platform. just love it ..

Oanda trades stocks?

I'd have to agree, TD Ameritrade has one of the best research centers available ATTACHED to their platform.

Executions are decent, and the trading platform is pretty good.

However, you pay for it in commissions, for sure.

If you're savvy enough to use free research tools on the net, and analyzing stocks yourself, then you may be better off using a lower cost broker like MBT or Interactive Brokers. Both of those charge like $0.01 - $0.005 a share (Depending on volume).

So, unless you're buying really low cost stocks, or your purchasing thousands of shares at at time. The commission cost will be higher with TD Ameritrade (which can be worth the benefit of actually having the research tools if you need them).

thanks, i actually opened an account with tdameritarde after i asked the questions

So i guess i'll stay with them since it seems you guys have a good review for them

Watch Lucent Technologies (LU), and see how predictable their prices move on a daily basis. Capturing a $0.10 -$0.15 movement on a daily basis adds up if you have 10,000-20,000 shares.

Excellent move my friend and good luck!