Lowest cost accounts for buying U.S. stocks based in IRL

my friend

As per title

IRL based for tax purposes wishing to purchase US stocks at lowest cost easy tradability

Online only essential

Recommendations/experiences please

Cute Hoor

Here's a list of US brokers - take your pick.
http://www.nasdaq.com/investing/online-brokers/

I use TD Ameritrade ($9.99 per trade irrespective of size) and find them absolutely fine, and they take Irish customers. I also use TradeKing ($4.95 per trade irrespective of size) but I don't think they take Irish customers, again absolutely fine. Neither of these have any ongoing charges.

Jack Skellington

CH, are you living in the USA by any chance? Went on to have a look and it seems there's an option there if you're on a visa, but do they take irish customers who are living in Ireland?

RobertKK

Jack Skellington wrote: »

CH, are you living in the USA by any chance? Went on to have a look and it seems there's an option there if you're on a visa, but do they take irish customers who are living in Ireland?

Looked at it, under Visa, there is the None option.

I 'm thinking of getting a TD Ameritrade account as I trade mostly US stocks, and they have less charges than Saxo.

Cute Hoor

Jack Skellington wrote: »

CH, are you living in the USA by any chance? Went on to have a look and it seems there's an option there if you're on a visa, but do they take irish customers who are living in Ireland?

No Jack, Irish and living in Ireland, I've had an account with them for a good number of years, can't remember there being any hassle in setting it up

Jack Skellington

Cute Hoor wrote: »

No Jack, Irish and living in Ireland, I've had an account with them for a good number of years, can't remember there being any hassle in setting it up

Ok might give it a shot then, was just curious because on their Irish website/ version they have inactivity charges in place so you have to trade every quarter,so I was wondering would I be prevented from signing up to td ameritrade, thanks anyway.

my friend

Jack Skellington wrote: »

Ok might give it a shot then, was just curious because on their Irish website/ version they have inactivity charges in place so you have to trade every quarter,so I was wondering would I be prevented from signing up to td ameritrade, thanks anyway.

Hi Jack,

Can you let us know how that works out for you... Wondering if they'll bounce you to the IE operation?
Thanks

Jack Skellington

my friend wrote: »

Hi Jack,

Can you let us know how that works out for you... Wondering if they'll bounce you to the IE operation?
Thanks

Sent them a quick email there, don't want to be bounced to the IE website after filling out all the forms, so thought an email would be easier. I'll post back here and let you know.

Value Hunter

Interactive Brokers.

$1 trades

Jack Skellington

Got this in reply:

Thank you for contacting us about opening a TD Ameritrade account. We are currently unable to open new accounts for clients with mailing and/or physical addresses in Ireland. This is a result of a thorough legal review of established regulations in your country. Clients with existing accounts cannot open additional accounts but existing accounts are not affected. We appreciate your interest in opening an account and wish you the best in your investment needs.

It's a shame really, just feels like as far as brokers here go you're either a regular trader or not, even the uk version has a regular investment plan, it's limited to a number of companies but still would be a good idea for someone just looking to buy and hold.

Cute Hoor

Unlucky Jack (and my friend), first time I've heard of that. I'd suggest going with IB as suggested by Value Hunter although I understood that they charge .1% commission, and as I understand it they charge $10 per month if you don't have a trade in that month. Good luck with finding a reasonable one

Cute Hoor

Just had a look at the Charles Schwab website, it appears that they will take Irish customers, $8.95 per trade and there doesn't appear to be any inactivity charges(?), need $10k to open an international account

http://international.schwab.com/public/international/nn/open_an_account?country=EI

nikouy

Does anyone have a better broker for US trades?

FURET

Value Hunter wrote: »

Interactive Brokers.

$1 trades

I use IB. It's true that trades are only 1$ from US exchanges BUT you have to spend a minimum of 10$ per month or they'll deduct the difference from your cash balance.

In addition, non-Americans risk the US estate tax if they hold more than 60k USD in US-domiciled stocks.

alb

There's access to US shares from a keytrade account. I've been wondering if there are any differences in buying US shares via that versus for example buying European or Irish shares. In the case of using a European broker like this is there any hassles with withholdings or exit tax on the US side of things? or forms needed by the US authorities etc?

ballyharpat

Firstrade.com cheap, very good customer service and ease of transfers....