quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut Options still confuse the hell out of me, but I'm learning. I've been doing a few, well, swing trades, not really day trades, and have come to the conclusion I'm getting seriously borked by TD's commissions. So what the hell, might as well ask since the thread's already been started: what brokerage does everyone here use? Someone recommended etrade which is apparently now Scotia iTrade, and I found some Trade Freedom thing which looks kinda sketchy; anything better out there? So Matt, what mining news did you get?

E*TRADE Canada and TradeFreedom are now both owned by Scotia Capital.

Both have lower commissions than TD Waterhouse, which I presume you're using.

There are other brokers out there that have commission rates structured specific for options trading strategies (if that happens to be your thing).

___________________
Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow

Pre-emptive disclaimer: I'm still new to this game and have very little expertise. However, my long-term money's on coal (much more being used, new clean-burning technologies), Canadian banks (check BMO, although it was a better buy back in February) and a couple of REITs (the only income trusts that won't be subject to the new tax laws). And I have a bit in oil, which I seriously doubt can stay this low forever especially as supply diminishes (yeah yeah, contango, I'm -so- scared of a 1% decay).

___________________
My party schedule:
2009-02-21 - DJ Attention @ I'm So Popular
2009-06-18 - DJ Annoying @ People Need To Know Where I'll Be
2012-11-32 - DJ Insufferable ɸ Or At Least the Stalkers I Complain About
2048-06-66 - Spastic & Whocares ¶ Although I'm Actually Flattered
9999-45-81 - Tweaker Gimp ☼ I Probably Won't Even Go To This But I Have To Make Sure I Fill Up All The Available Space Here

quote:

Originally posted by dEsidEL E*TRADE Canada and TradeFreedom are now both owned by Scotia Capital. Both have lower commissions than TD Waterhouse, which I presume you're using. There are other brokers out there that have commission rates structured specific for options trading strategies (if that happens to be your thing).

TD Waterhouse now, yes. I've noted that itrade has $7-$10 commissions while TD has $27-$29, so I'm definitely switching. Was just wondering if there was anything better. I also need a USD trading account - how badly does Scotia ding on exchange? And if anyone here uses them, are the CAD/USD accounts linked together like they are in TD?

I understand how options work and grok the most basic strategies (covered and protective calls and puts, straddles) but I don't think that qualifies me as an option trader, lol. Still, I'm interested in knowing about these other brokers you're talking about, so I can read up on them and bookmark for later. Care to share?

___________________
My party schedule:
2009-02-21 - DJ Attention @ I'm So Popular
2009-06-18 - DJ Annoying @ People Need To Know Where I'll Be
2012-11-32 - DJ Insufferable ɸ Or At Least the Stalkers I Complain About
2048-06-66 - Spastic & Whocares ¶ Although I'm Actually Flattered
9999-45-81 - Tweaker Gimp ☼ I Probably Won't Even Go To This But I Have To Make Sure I Fill Up All The Available Space Here

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut Options still confuse the hell out of me, but I'm learning. I've been doing a few, well, swing trades, not really day trades, and have come to the conclusion I'm getting seriously borked by TD's commissions. So what the hell, might as well ask since the thread's already been started: what brokerage does everyone here use? Someone recommended etrade which is apparently now Scotia iTrade, and I found some Trade Freedom thing which looks kinda sketchy; anything better out there? So Matt, what mining news did you get?

A few people I know use Q trade. They love it. And they trade a LOT.

quote:

Originally posted by SniFFleS Anyone have any thoughts of certain sectors for the long term? Agriculture? I wish I had more time to be active trader during the day.

I still believe oil will come back. I'm not sure I subscribe to the peak oil philosophy given the recent crash but the long term fundamentals are there.

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper I still believe oil will come back. I'm not sure I subscribe to the peak oil philosophy given the recent crash but the long term fundamentals are there.

So are you betting on mining, futures, or ETNs?

I thought ETFs were the way to go, but they've all done diddly whereas Petro-Canada has been on a constant rally since February. Thinking of moving from DXO to USO to be able to write covered calls while prices stagnate. Don't know if that's actually a good idea.

Thanks for the Qtrade recommendation by the way. Looks at least as good as Scotia.

Oh, anybody check out SIRI today? Sweet jesus, up 30% at one point and over 150 million shares traded. I've never seen a penny stock move like that. All apparently because their credit was boosted from CCC- to CCC+, lol.

___________________
My party schedule:
2009-02-21 - DJ Attention @ I'm So Popular
2009-06-18 - DJ Annoying @ People Need To Know Where I'll Be
2012-11-32 - DJ Insufferable ɸ Or At Least the Stalkers I Complain About
2048-06-66 - Spastic & Whocares ¶ Although I'm Actually Flattered
9999-45-81 - Tweaker Gimp ☼ I Probably Won't Even Go To This But I Have To Make Sure I Fill Up All The Available Space Here

Just opened a Questrade account. Moving my investments there (from a big-bank trading house).

___________________
- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).

This forex indicator looks interesting
http://forexrobottrader.com/performance.php

I'm going to study it for the next couple of months.

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut So are you betting on mining, futures, or ETNs?

Because of my work, I can't get more specific than a macro call really.

Anyone know why some day traders seem to be so nasty and always posting details of every trade, getting into flame wars etc on investment discussion boards? It's ridiculous, they've pretty much ruined most of the boards, it's like they think they influence the price of securities by their posts.\

Update: thinking of the Yahoo finance msg boards re the nuisance daytrader postings. A good board for tech stocks is Silicon Investor, many threads are moderated so discussions are on a higher level. http://siliconinvestor.advfn.com/

Re brokerages/commish I'm mostly holding stocks (techs) for longer time periods so the commission amount is no big deal, for stability and security I use the brokerages of the big banks.

Last edited by tvmann on Apr-22-2009 at 16:46

quote:

Originally posted by tvmann Anyone know why some day traders seem to be so nasty and always posting details of every trade, getting into flame wars etc on investment discussion boards? It's ridiculous, they've pretty much ruined most of the boards, it's like they think they influence the price of securities by their posts.

What boards?