Stockbrokers

There are three different types of stockbroking accounts available to the retail and professional investor.

  • Execution-only.  This is where the broker carries out the client's instructions to buy or sell. All trading decisions are that of the client and the broker will not provide advice.
  • Advisory dealing. This is where the broker advises the client on which shares to buy and sell, leaving the client to decide whether to actually buy or sell and at a price and time of their choosing.
  • Discretionary dealing. This is where the stockbroker meets with the client to gain an understanding of their investment objectives and then makes all dealing decisions on the client's behalf with no further reference to the client other than to notify them of the trades that have been placed on their behalf together with a daily running profit and loss.

When it comes to choosing which type of account that is suitable and more importantly which stock broker to use for this service it is important to spend some time reviewing the options available to you. Execution only services are going to be the most cost effective way of dealing but as mentioned above this requires all decisions to be undertaken by you with no assistance given by the broker. The advisory service is often the preferred route where the stock broker offers some assistance with the stock selection and often is able to provide access to advanced research about the stock that may not always be available to the general public. The cost of dealing this way is going to be higher than an execution only service but will be cheaper than going to a full discretionary service where the stock broker makes all of your share trading decisions for you based upon both your appetite for risk and your investment objectives.

Most of us entrust our money with people we don't know when we invest in pensions but only after we have researched the company beforehand and reviewed figures showing past performance, the same practice should be adopted if and when you decide to use a discretionary service with a stock broker.

Our comparison table below looks at a few of the criteria that we believe are important to consider when choosing which stock broker to use. If you would like us to find out any further information about a broker listed here, or perhaps one that isn't, please get in touch and we will be delighted to assist you.

BrokerAccount Opening OnlineBroker FeaturesMinimum DepositApply
Halifax
true
  • Demo Account
  • Account Opening Online
  • Market Research
£0Applyfor accountDemo unavailable
TD Waterhouse
true
  • Demo Account
  • Account Opening Online
  • Market Research
  • Inactivity Annual Account Charge
£0Applyfor accountDemo unavailable
Selftrade
true
  • Demo Account
  • Account Opening Online
  • Market Research
  • Inactivity Annual Account Charge
£0Applyfor accountDemo unavailable
Halifax
true
  • Account Opening Online
  • Market Research
£0ApplyunavailableDemo unavailable
Barclays
true
  • Managed Accounts
  • Account Opening Online
  • Account Opening Download
  • Market Research
  • Inactivity Annual Account Charge
£0ApplyunavailableDemo unavailable
SAGA Group
true
  • Account Opening Online
  • Account Opening Brochure Available
  • Market Research
£0ApplyunavailableDemo unavailable
SVS Securities PLC
true
  • Account Opening Online
  • Advisory Account
  • Market Research
£0ApplyunavailableDemo unavailable
The Share Centre
true
  • Demo Account
  • Account Opening Online
  • Account Opening Download
  • Account Opening Brochure Available
  • Advisory Account
  • Market Research
  • Inactivity Annual Account Charge
£0ApplyunavailableDemo unavailable
Interactive Investor Trading
true
  • Account Opening Online
  • Market Research
£0ApplyunavailableDemo unavailable
Royal Bank of Scotland
true
  • Account Opening Online
  • Market Research
£100ApplyunavailableDemo unavailable
Skip this step and continue

Nice to meet you

Enter your email below to receive your broker comparison results.

 

Soon you will be able to rate, leave comments and tell other people about your experience.

 
Send email

Thank you

We are emailing your results and redirecting you...

Skip this step and continue

Sending email and redirecting you...

 

 


Got a question about the content on this page?

Fill in the form below and we will answer you as soon as possible

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thank you

Thank you for getting in contact with us.

Trading.co.uk team