Discount Brokers

Discount brokers came into existence in 1975 when the New York and American Stock Exchanges agreed to abandon the minimum commission schedule previously imposed on all members. Many consumers these days are questioning what advantages full service brokers (e.g., Merrill Lynch or SmithBarney) have over discount brokers (e.g., Schwab or Fidelity). Discount brokerages have traditionally offered a narrower range of services, but they've been adding significantly to this range in recent years. Discount brokers can be categorized as discount stock brokers, discount commodity brokers, and discount real estate brokers. Discount stock brokers open endless opportunities for those interested in stock markets.