Lower commissions make it easier to cut down on your losses and get the most in return. Many discount brokerage companies will charge a flat rate commission per trade, but others charge per share or, occasionally, a percentage for buying and trading stocks.

Some firms base the cost per stock trade on the size of the trade — the number of shares or principal value. A call option allows a holder to buy a security for a fixed price — also known as the strike price — for a specific period of time.

Likewise, a put option gives the owner the right to sell a security at the strike price for a specific period of time. Options, while favorable for those who want versatility and flexibility in buying and selling, are also highly risky.

The biggest brokers — ETrade, TD Ameritrade and Schwab — include the service for account holders. Some brokers charge fees for maintaining inactive accounts.

Margin rates are the interest rates charged by the brokerage on loans investors may borrow from the brokerage to fund investments. The rates on this kind of loan can vary significantly among brokerages. Rates are set according to the base rate and the size of the debit balance. Monitoring stocks photo via Shutterstock.

Broco Company - Online Forex Trading, Online Futures Trading, Stock Indexes Trading, Forex Currency Trading System. FX Trading (Foreign Exchange Trading).

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