
Online trading has lowered commissions to the point where they are no longer the primary consideration. Ditto for good execution, if indeed they are Direct Access. If you decide later to trade commodities, options, futures, or currencies, TerraNova may be the only one that you can trade everything, real time, online, direct access. A lot of online brokerages claim to give you direct access, but if they take more than a second to execute your trade, it aint direct.
What you probably should be concentrating on is the best trading software or trading platform. But even then, everyone's criteria are different.
Find the articles online that have evaluated and compared online brokerages. I found a good one online in Barron's, but you'll find others in the trading magazines. Active Trader, Futures Mag, etc.
This is worth putting a little time and effort into, because it's a pain to switch, so once you choose, you're kinda stuck with it.
Townsend Electronics, the Parent company of TerraNova, is the one that digitized and electronified the Nasdaq. They are technological industry leaders and have a powerful and well built trading system.
I use RealTick at TerraNovaOnline, but it costs $275/mo. I think the Investor package is free to use, and just uses one screen.
What you should try is a free trial of their Investor platform, which is free. Their rates are good also, but of course, it depends on how often you trade. It will take you months to learn all the bells and whistles of what this program can do.
The other top-of-the line program is TradeStation, but it costs big bucks to join and operate. Some people consider it the Cadillac of trading and technical analysis.
TerraNova is the home of the Day Trader, so they think nothing of you making several hundred trades a day. You don't have to do that, but it's okay here if you do.

Good luck, I hope you don't lose your money. Commodities are notoriously unpredictable.
Anyone have experience with good ones?

Etrade is supposed to allow you to trade on 4 or 5 stock marktes around the world – a huge advantage for a really smart investor or one that wants to focus on international stocks, but useless to most smaller investors (or most that want to focus on mutual funds – like you, maybe).
There are some other good ones. You'll find that OptionExpress is very good (never used this one myself, but they are well rated). More expensive that scottrade but margin rates are lower and maybe they are faster at filling trades.
Anyhow, thats my take on 3 of them but there are many more out there. Of course only used ones that are sipc insured, and again – I'd advise searching for more specifics on this via an online search. FYI, I think kiplingers had an areticle about this about 1-2 years ago. good article but alot can change in 2 years (and I'm not positive it was Kiplingers)
Best luck.

That being said, if your looking to investing something that is the "least risky" and "most predictable" you should look at a low cost fund that tracks a broad market index . Check out VFINX, Vanguards mutual fund that tracks the S&P 500. If you looking for pure predictability, try a bond fund.
The others you mention Forex, Options and Commodities, are the MOST risky and LEAST predictable. And while they can be quite profitable for a professional trader, they are not suitable for the average/rookie investor.
I am a Graduate student. I've Keen interest to trading in Stocks/Commodities/Securities. Recently, I've opened an Online Trading account in Sharekhan. Before investing, I want to get clarified some of my queries.
1. What are the timings of Trading?
2. What are the working days for Trading?
3. Can I buy and sell the Shares on the same day?
4. Can I claim exemption under Income Tax Act if I incur loss?
5. Is there any restrictions in the number of Transactions per day?
6. Besides Brokerage charges, is there any other charges that needs to be paid?
7. Do I've to enclose a KYC Compliance or MAPIN ID , if my investment exceeds above 50,000/- INR.
8. Can I buy and sell the shares on Hourly basis, if the share value depreciates or appreciates?
9. As I already mentioned that I'm a Graduate student, will I be liable to pay tax irrespective of Gain/Loss?
10. Is there any Study material available in maket to brush up the trading knowledge?

You dont actually buy shares as such but buy a contract on the assets.
You then earn or lose money on the opening and closing price of the asset.
Many people have got rich very quick from cfd's but there is also the risk of losing money quickly.
Finding a broker will help as they can advice you on stops that sell when the
asset falls below a certain amount you can afford to lose.
you can find more information at
http://www.cfd-to-cfd-trading.co.uk
as far as real estate.. where internationally are some great places to invest? (that speak english or spanish)


What king of success rate do you get with software? Are you better off just going on instinct? Is there a better trading company than tradindex as I find the site too slow for closing trades. The spreads are too wide.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!!
Thanks

In order to understand how markets work it is always better to have a good knowledge of the markets themselves. Few traders actually know this and this explains why a lot lose money on the derivative markets. One of the key ingredients to success is to understand the fundamental basics of supply and demand. Chartism also plays its role if you take the time to undestand it.
What I don't like about the programs that give people technical analysis information and "buy" and "sell" signals is that despite their claims of instant riches why is it that most people who make money on the market NEVER use them? There is the old saying "if something seems too good to be true isn't it the case it usually is?"
Many years ago I received a maling shot through the post about a program that could predict the exact peaks and troughs of the FTSE and other major indices. It said it had 90% accuracy and went back as far as 1901 predicting the 1930's slump! You just push in numbers and like magic instant wealth is produced. Now that's amazing software!
A few months later the entire company were exposed as a fraud on BBC television – which hardly surprised me!
The truth is that there are so many variables to the movements in stock prices and commodities that having a clear set mathematical formula for success is almost impossible. If you understand the correct method of trading and how to use derivatives correctly you can be on the way to a small fortune but this requires intelligence, vigilance and patience – qualities that most traders don't have.
I have found Tradindex to a a superb company which have given me one of the easiest trading platforms imaginable. However, a lot boils down to personal taste.
Another company I highly recommend is this one:
http://www.finspreads.com
Also try this brilliant authoress:
Toni Turner (http://www.toniturner.com/)
Good luck with your trading!

That being said, if your looking to investing something that is the "least risky" and "most predictable" you should look at a low cost fund that tracks a broad market index . Check out VFINX, Vanguards mutual fund that tracks the S&P 500. If you looking for pure predictability, try a bond fund.
The others you mention Forex, Options and Commodities, are the MOST risky and LEAST predictable. And while they can be quite profitable for a professional trader, they are not suitable for the average/rookie investor.




