You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. By Katy MarquardtStaff Writer August 31, Rankings of online brokers typically focus on how well the brokers serve stock investors.

But what about those of us who are interested only in mutual funds?

Brokers with Mutual Funds (Load, No Load) - etygivusyx.web.fc2.com

That's a reasonable question. Consolidating your fund holdings with a single broker makes it a snap to trade funds from a variety of families, monitor your portfolio and report your annual gains and losses to the IRS. So we've geared this analysis of online brokers toward investors in regular, open-end funds.

We scrutinized a dozen brokerages on a broad array of issues important to do-it-yourself fund investors -- from the commissions charged for buying and selling funds to the usefulness of each firm's Web site.

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Two online brokers stand out: Both firms offer a wide selection of no-load funds, run well-organized Web sites that feature top-notch research and screening tools, and charge few nuisance fees. In judging the brokers, we gave the most weight to the number of no-load, no-transaction-fee NTF funds that the brokers offer and the fees they charge for buying and selling funds that are not part of their NTF programs.

We placed a significant amount of emphasis on the total number of no-load funds the brokers offered and the features and friendliness of their Web sites. We also considered -- but placed less emphasis on -- how the brokers invest your uninvested cash, the fees they charge if you sell your funds too quickly and other miscellaneous charges, and any perks the brokers give to high rollers.

Here is how Siebert and Fidelity stack up:. With 3, funds, Fidelity came in second in the number of no-loads, behind optionsXpress.

Siebert, with 2, funds, came in fourth third was Firstrade, with 3, Siebert reigned with NTF funds, offering 1, no-loads at no charge, followed by Fidelity, with 1, Fees for non-NTF funds. Fidelity and Siebert are in the middle here.

Most brokers charge if you sell too quickly. As for other fees, Fidelity and Siebert rock: Neither brokers for mutual funds annual fees, inactivity fees or fees for transferring your account to another broker. Except for Scottrade, all the brokers in forex indicators in urdu survey charge at least one such pesky fee.

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The better brokers -- Siebert among them -- automatically sweep your cash into a decent-yielding money-market fund. Fidelity gets a middling score because it requires investors to opt for make money teaching online babb money-market fund; otherwise, cash goes into an interest-bearing account.

We gave the least credit to firms that don't offer a money-market fund at all Scottradeor impose restrictions Schwab and Wells Fargo.

Because you interact with your online broker mostly online, we put considerable emphasis on each Web site's presentation and its tools for researching and screening funds. Both Fidelity and Siebert rank in the top tier. We were impressed with Fidelity's fund screener, which allows you to screen by performance and Morningstar ratings, among other criteria.

The well-organized site also makes it easy to compare funds as many as five at a time. Siebert offers Morningstar profiles and countless ways to compare funds based on factors such as volatility and performance relative to an index. Perks for big nifty free tips options. Again, both Fidelity and Siebert are at the top.

Siebert is willing to negotiate lower bill ladd options trader, including fees for non-NTF funds, for clients with large accounts or who trade frequently.

Web site features easy-to-read charts for comparing funds' fees and results. Offers only NTF funds. Offers the largest number of no-load funds 3, Automatically sweeps idle cash into a money-market fund; offers fine Price funds without transaction fees. Offers only 1, no-load funds and NTF funds. Solid Web site with plenty of screening tools. Levies no nuisance fees. Offers no money-market fund; sweeps cash into an interest-bearing cash account instead.

More than half of its no-load funds have no transaction fees. Charges no early-redemption fees beyond those imposed by the funds themselves. Sweeps cash into a money-market fund automatically; only broker that sells Vanguard funds without transaction fees. Toggle navigation Menu Subscribers Log In. Sections Close Menu Wealth Creation Investing Retirement Taxes Your Money Your Business Magazine Contents.

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Siebert and Fidelity stand out from the crowd. Here is how Siebert and Fidelity stack up: Check Out Kiplinger's Latest Online Broker Rankings googletag. About Us Employment Opportunities Privacy Policy Terms of Service Millennium Copyright Act Site Map RSS.