We are built for investors like you. You can enjoy $0 commissions on online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund, and options trades with no account minimums in our platform.
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What is E*TRADE?
E*TRADE is an unregulated online brokerage platform offering a comprehensive suite of financial products and services designed to meet the diverse needs of investors. It provides access to a wide range of trading products, including stocks, options, futures, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. E*TRADE is well-regarded for its advanced trading platforms, including the Power E*TRADE web and mobile app, which feature interactive charts, technical studies, and sophisticated trading tools.
With its user-friendly interface, zero commission fees on key investment products, and robust customer service, E*TRADE caters to both novice and experienced traders looking to manage their investments effectively.
Pros & Cons
Pros Diverse range of trading products: E*TRADE offers a wide array of trading instruments, catering to various investment strategies and preferences.
Comprehensive educational resources: The platform provides extensive educational materials, making it suitable for investors at all levels.
Innovative trading platforms: Advanced trading tools and features ensure a robust trading experience.
Zero commission fees: E*TRADE charges $0 commission fees for stocks, options, mutual funds, and ETFs.
Extensive customer service: Accessibility through multiple channels ensures support availability.
Cons Regulatory Concerns: E*TRADE currently lacks valid regulation, raising concerns about its safety and legitimacy, which increases the risk of fraudulent activities and inadequate protection.
Options Trading Fees: While E*TRADE has zero commission fees for various products, it charges $0.65 per options contract, which is a consideration for options traders.
Is E*TRADE Safe?
E*TRADE currently lacks valid regulation, which raises significant concerns about its safety and legitimacy. Regulatory oversight is crucial for ensuring that a financial services provider operates within established standards and adheres to specific rules and requirements designed to protect investors and clients. Without proper regulation, there is an increased risk of fraudulent activities, scams, and inadequate consumer protection.
What are Securities to Trade with E*TRADE?
ETRADE offers a comprehensive suite of trading products to meet the diverse needs of investors. These include stocks, options, futures, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds & CDs.
Stocks: The cornerstone of investing, E*TRADE allows you to buy and sell shares of individual companies listed on various stock exchanges. This provides the potential for capital appreciation through stock price increases and dividend payouts.
Options: For those seeking more strategic investing or income generation, E*TRADE offers options contracts. Options grant you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a stock at a specific price by a certain time. This can be a powerful tool for experienced investors, but it also carries greater risk.
Futures: For the adventurous investor, E*TRADE provides access to futures contracts. These are agreements to buy or sell a commodity or financial instrument at a predetermined price on a future date. Futures can be used to hedge other holdings or to speculate on price movements, but they involve significant risk and are best suited for sophisticated investors.
ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): E*TRADE allows you to invest in ETFs, which are baskets of securities that trade like stocks. ETFs offer diversification, ease of trading, and lower fees compared to mutual funds. They come in various styles, tracking specific market sectors, commodities, or investment strategies.
Mutual Funds: E*TRADE provides access to a vast selection of mutual funds. These professionally managed investment pools offer diversification and a variety of investment strategies to suit your goals. Unlike ETFs, mutual funds are not traded on exchanges and their value fluctuates throughout the day based on the underlying holdings.
Bonds & CDs (Certificates of Deposit): For income-oriented investors, E*TRADE offers bonds and CDs. Bonds are IOUs issued by corporations or governments, providing regular interest payments and repayment of principal upon maturity. CDs are issued by banks and offer a fixed interest rate over a set term.
E*TRADE Accounts
E*TRADE offers a variety of account types to suit different investment needs and goals.
Brokerage Accounts
E*TRADE's brokerage accounts provide investors with a versatile platform to trade stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. With access to extensive research tools, educational resources, and advanced trading features, these accounts are suitable for both novice and experienced traders looking to manage their investments actively.
Retirement Accounts
E*TRADE offers a range of retirement accounts designed to help clients save for their future. These include Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and Rollover IRAs, each with unique tax advantages. The platform also provides retirement planning tools and resources to help clients make informed decisions and optimize their retirement savings.
Core Portfolios
For investors seeking a more hands-off approach, E*TRADE's Core Portfolios offer a managed solution. These accounts provide professionally managed, diversified portfolios tailored to the client's risk tolerance and financial goals. With automated rebalancing and ongoing monitoring, Core Portfolios aim to keep investments aligned with long-term objectives.
Managed Portfolios
E*TRADE's Managed Portfolios cater to clients who prefer a more personalized investment strategy. These accounts offer access to dedicated financial consultants who provide tailored advice and actively manage the client's portfolio. This service is ideal for investors seeking customized investment solutions and professional oversight.
Small Business Accounts
E*TRADE supports small business owners with a variety of account options, including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and Individual 401(k)s. These accounts help business owners and their employees save for retirement while taking advantage of tax benefits. E*TRADE provides tools and resources to assist in selecting the right plan and managing it effectively.
Bank Accounts
In addition to investment accounts, E*TRADE offers banking solutions through Morgan Stanley Private Bank. These accounts include high-yield savings accounts, checking accounts, and lines of credit, providing clients with a comprehensive suite of financial products to meet their banking and investment needs in one place.
E*TRADE Fees Review
E*TRADE offers a commission structure that caters to various investment products, with a focus on keeping costs low for stock and ETF investors.
Stocks, Options, Mutual Funds, and ETFs: E*TRADE shines with a $0 commission fee for these core investment vehicles. This allows you to buy and sell these assets without incurring any per-trade charges, making it an attractive option for active traders and long-term investors alike.
Options Contracts: However, there is a fee associated with options trading. The standard rate is $0.65 per contract. But here's some good news: If you're an active options trader, you can qualify for a discount. By making more than 30 stock, ETF, and options trades per quarter, you'll be charged a reduced rate of $0.50 per contract.
Futures Contracts: For those venturing into futures markets, E*TRADE charges a standard fee of $1.50 per contract.
Bonds (online secondary trades): If you're looking to trade bonds on the secondary market (buying bonds from other investors after their initial offering), E*TRADE charges a fee of $1.00 per bond, with a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $250 per transaction.
The margin rates for stocks, options, and ETFs at this broker are tiered. The margin rate you receive depends on your debit balance, which is the amount of money you owe to the broker.
Debit Balance less than $10,000: The margin rate is 14.20%. This is the highest margin rate offered.
Debit Balance $10,000 to $24,999.99: The margin rate is 13.95%.
Debit Balance $25,000 to $49,999.99: The margin rate is 13.70%.
Debit Balance $50,000 to $99,999.99: The margin rate is 13.20%.
Debit Balance $100,000 to $249,999.99: The margin rate is 12.70%.
Debit Balance $250,000 to $499,999.99: The margin rate is 12.20%.
For debit balances of $500,000 and above, you can call 800-998-8079 to learn about the latest rates.
E*TRADE's Mutual Fund
No-Load, No-Transaction-Fee Funds: This is a cost-effective option for investors seeking to minimize upfront costs. E*TRADE charges $0 for both the purchase (no-load) and any subsequent sales (no-transaction fee) within these funds. This allows you to invest and switch between funds within this category without incurring additional brokerage charges.
Load Funds: These funds may have a sales load fee associated with them. The specific load amount will vary depending on the fund and you should consult the fund's prospectus for details. Load fees can be a one-time upfront charge (front-end load), a fee applied when you sell the shares (back-end load), or a combination of both.
E*TRADE App Review
Power E*TRADE Web is an advanced trading platform for dedicated traders. It features interactive charts, over 100 technical studies, and preset scans to help identify trades, making it ideal for those needing detailed market data and sophisticated analytical tools.
The Power E*TRADE App brings the robust capabilities of Power E*TRADE Web to mobile devices. It allows users to trade stocks, ETFs, options, and futures with a single ticket, offering interactive charts and technical studies. This app is perfect for traders who need flexibility and access to their accounts on the go.
The E*TRADE App is an award-winning mobile application ideal for trading, investing, tracking the markets, and managing your accounts on the go. Compatible with Apple® and Android™ devices, including the Apple Watch® and leading tablets, this app provides users with comprehensive tools and features to manage their investments from anywhere.
E*TRADE Web remains a premier platform for online investing, supporting users through their financial journeys from initial savings to retirement planning. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, E*TRADE Web continues to be a top choice for investors seeking a reliable and comprehensive online investment experience.
Research & Education
E*TRADE's Research & Education resources encompass a comprehensive range of topics tailored to meet the diverse needs of investors at every level. Starting with Investing Basics, novice investors can access foundational knowledge and educational materials to build a solid understanding of investment principles, terminology, and strategies.
For those seeking to deepen their expertise, the platform offers insights into Advanced Trading techniques, empowering experienced investors with the tools and knowledge to navigate complex market scenarios and execute sophisticated trading strategies effectively.
Moreover, E*TRADE provides robust resources for individuals planning for their financial future, including dedicated sections on Retirement Planning and Tax Planning. These resources offer valuable guidance and strategies to help investors make informed decisions and optimize their financial outcomes as they plan for retirement and manage tax implications.
In addition to practical investment guidance, E*TRADE users can access insights from Morgan Stanley Thought Leadership, gaining access to expert analysis, market commentary, and research reports from one of the leading financial institutions.
The platform also offers up-to-date Market News to keep investors informed about the latest developments and trends shaping global markets.
For investors interested in thematic investing, E*TRADE provides resources on identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends and opportunities through Thematic Investing. Furthermore, users can stay updated on upcoming Events and webinars hosted by industry experts to deepen their understanding of specific topics or investment strategies.
Finally, E*TRADE recognizes that investors' needs evolve over time, which is why it offers resources tailored to different Life Stages. Whether investors are starting their careers, planning for major life milestones, or enjoying retirement, E*TRADE provides educational content and tools to support investors at every stage of their financial journey.
Customer Service
E*TRADE provides a comprehensive and accessible customer support network. Their support team can be reached through different channels for ultimate convenience.
Phone:
Brokerage or Bank Account: Call E*TRADE customer service at 1-800-387-2331.
Morgan Stanley at Work Stock Plan Account: Contact them directly at 1-800-838-0908 for personalized support (available Monday-Friday from 12 AM to 11:59 PM ET).
Designated Brokerage (for companies): Reach out at 1-855-432-6834 for inquiries regarding employee stock plan tracking (available Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM ET).
Mail:
Regular Mail:
For Bank: Morgan Stanley Private Bank
For Brokerage: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
PO Box 484, Jersey City, NJ 07303-0484
Overnight Mail:
For Bank: Morgan Stanley Private Bank
For Brokerage: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Harborside 2, 200 Hudson Street, Suite 501, Jersey City, NJ 07311-1113
Conclusion
In conclusion, E*TRADE presents a compelling platform for investors of all levels, offering a diverse range of trading products and comprehensive educational resources. With innovative trading platforms like Power E*TRADE web and mobile app, users can access advanced tools and interactive charts to enhance their trading experience. The platform's zero commission fees for stocks, options, mutual funds, and ETFs make it cost-effective for both active traders and long-term investors.
However, the lack of valid regulation raises significant concerns about the safety and trustworthiness of the platform. Now, the ball's in your court when it comes to choosing whether to go with this broker or explore other options. Hopefully, this review has shed some light on your decision-making process.
FAQs
Is E*TRADE suitable for beginners?
ETRADE is suitable for beginners due to its user-friendly platform, educational resources, and comprehensive customer support. The platform offers Investing Basics tutorials and guides to help new investors understand fundamental concepts.
Is E*TRADE legit?
No. It has been verified that this broker currently has no valid regulation.
What trading products are available on E*TRADE?
E*TRADE provides access to a wide range of trading products, including stocks, options, futures, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds & CDs.
What types of accounts does E*TRADE offer?
E*TRADE offers a variety of account types, including brokerage accounts, retirement accounts (such as Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs), managed portfolios, small business accounts, and bank accounts.
Risk Warning
The information provided is based on WikiStock's expert evaluation of the brokerage's website data and is subject to change. Besides, online trading entails substantial risks, potentially leading to total loss of invested funds, so comprehending associated risks before engaging is crucial.