Td Ameritrade: Your Investment Partner

TD Ameritrade is a leading online broker that offers a wide range of investment options, tools, and resources for investors of all levels. With its innovative technology, extensive product access, personalized education, and award-winning service, TD Ameritrade helps investors stay on top of the market and make informed investment decisions. The platform provides commission-free trading with no hidden fees, making it accessible to beginners and experienced investors alike. In addition, TD Ameritrade offers a variety of account types, including retirement plans, education savings accounts, and trusts, catering to diverse investor needs.

TD Ameritrade's investment selection

TD Ameritrade offers a wide range of investment options to cater to the needs of diverse investors, from beginners to active traders and long-term investors. Here is an overview of TD Ameritrade's investment selection:

Stocks, ETFs, and Options

TD Ameritrade offers commission-free trading for US-listed stocks, ETFs, and options. Options trades incur a fee of $0.65 per contract, which is standard across the industry. There is no minimum investment required to start trading these assets, making it accessible to investors with varying financial capabilities.

Mutual Funds

TD Ameritrade provides access to an extensive selection of mutual funds, including over 3,600 no-load funds with low expense ratios and more than 3,700 no-transaction-fee funds. This makes it an attractive option for investors looking to minimize fees. The platform also offers a range of low-cost mutual funds, with over 5,300 funds having expense ratios of 0.50% or less.

Bonds

For those interested in fixed-income investments, TD Ameritrade provides access to bonds. They offer bond-specific tools such as the Bond Wizard, Bond Calculator, and Bond Alerts to assist investors in determining the cost and yield of their bond investments.

Futures

TD Ameritrade also offers futures trading, including forex futures, and bitcoin futures. This allows investors to diversify their portfolios and explore additional investment opportunities.

Retirement Accounts

TD Ameritrade provides a range of retirement plan options for individuals and small businesses, including pension plans, profit-sharing plans, and IRAs. These accounts come without minimum opening deposits or maintenance fees, making them accessible to a wide range of investors planning for their retirement.

Education Savings Accounts

In addition to retirement planning, TD Ameritrade offers education savings accounts such as 529 college savings plans and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). The Coverdell ESA offers tax-free distributions and a $2,000 annual maximum contribution limit, making it a viable option for those saving for education expenses.

Robo-Advisor and Automated Investing

For investors seeking a more hands-off approach, TD Ameritrade offers robo-advisor services through TD Automated Investing. After completing an online assessment, investors receive personalized portfolio recommendations based on their risk tolerance and goals. This service comes with a minimum investment of $1,000 and a 0.30% annual wrap fee, with a $15 minimum for accounts under $5,001.

Other Investment Options

TD Ameritrade also provides access to IPOs, foreign investments (Forex), annuities, and other fixed-income securities. Additionally, they offer corporate accounts, partnership accounts, trust accounts, and more, catering to the diverse needs of their clients.

TD Ameritrade's fees

TD Ameritrade has low fees in general, with no commission on exchange-listed stock, ETF, or options trades. There is also no inactivity or annual fee, and no fee for partial transfers out of your account. However, a full transfer out of your account will cost $75. Options trades incur a per-contract fee of $0.65, which is a typical fee among brokers.

Some other fees for specific types of trades include:

• $6.95 for OTC stock trades
• $49.95 for no-load mutual funds, or up to $74.95 for buying (selling is free)
• $2.25 per contract for futures
• $25 for broker-assisted trades
• $12.50 quarterly maintenance fee if you have less than $500 of equity in your account
• $25 for withdrawal via wire transfer, the only option available to non-US clients

Mutual funds and ETFs carry internal fees called expense ratios, which are charged by the funds themselves, not TD Ameritrade.

TD Ameritrade's trading platforms

TD Ameritrade offers multiple trading platforms to cater to the needs of different investors. Here is an overview of the various trading platforms provided by TD Ameritrade:

Thinkorswim

The thinkorswim platform is ideal for active traders and is considered one of the most advanced trading platforms in the market. It offers various features such as real-time data streaming, customizable charts, a variety of technical indicators, and advanced trading tools. The platform is available on desktop, web, and mobile versions, providing flexibility for users who want to trade on the go or from the comfort of their homes. The thinkorswim mobile app is designed for advanced traders, offering features like real-time market alerts, stock scanners, and options statistics. The platform also supports complex order types and extensive options analytics.

TD Ameritrade Mobile

The TD Ameritrade Mobile app is a user-friendly mobile application that allows investors to trade anytime, anywhere. It provides real-time quotes, news, and market insights to help investors make informed decisions. The app also includes custom watchlists and a variety of alert options to keep users updated on their holdings. The TD Ameritrade Mobile app is suitable for investors who prefer a seamless and straightforward trading experience.

Web Trading Platform

TD Ameritrade also offers a web-based trading platform that provides essential trading features while maintaining ease of use. This platform is ideal for casual investors who want to manage their accounts and access trading tools without needing to install additional software. The web platform includes streaming watchlists, third-party ratings, and charting tools.

Desktop Trading Platform

For day traders, options traders, and futures traders, TD Ameritrade provides a robust desktop trading platform called thinkorswim. This platform offers advanced trading capabilities, an extensive array of technical analysis tools, customizable screeners, backtesting functionalities, real-time market scanning, and complex order types. The desktop platform is geared towards experienced traders who require a comprehensive set of tools and indicators.

PaperMoney

In addition to the platforms mentioned above, TD Ameritrade also offers a virtual trading simulator called PaperMoney. This platform provides a risk-free environment for traders to practice their strategies using simulated money. It is an excellent tool for beginners to gain trading experience and for experienced traders to test new strategies without risking their capital.

TD Ameritrade's customer support

TD Ameritrade offers 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including phone, text, fax, live chat, email, and social media. In addition, customers can meet in person with representatives at over 250 physical branches. The company's chatbot, Ask Ted, is also available throughout the TD Ameritrade website and returns relevant results quickly.

The company's website also offers a comprehensive help section, where customers can find answers to frequently asked questions, troubleshoot common issues, and access tutorials and user guides. The help section is well-organised and easy to navigate, making it a valuable resource for customers seeking assistance.

In addition to its direct customer support channels, TD Ameritrade also offers a wealth of educational resources and investment tools to help customers make informed decisions. The company's website features articles, videos, webinars, and other content designed to educate investors and help them improve their financial literacy.

Overall, TD Ameritrade's customer support is highly regarded in the industry and is known for its responsiveness, expertise, and accessibility. The company's commitment to providing exceptional customer service has contributed to its reputation as a trusted and reliable financial institution.

TD Ameritrade's pros and cons

TD Ameritrade Pros:

TD Ameritrade is a leading online broker that offers a wide range of investment options, innovative technology, and personalised education to help investors make informed trades and grow their assets. Here are some of the key pros:

• No minimum investment to open an account
• Large investment selection, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and bitcoin futures
• Commission-free trading for US-listed stocks, ETFs, and options
• Advanced tools and access to extensive research and educational resources
• High-quality trading platforms, including the highly-rated thinkorswim platform
• Excellent customer support with 24/7 availability via multiple channels
• Secure and reliable platform with a focus on compliance and regulation
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Retirement plans, education savings accounts, and trust accounts

TD Ameritrade Cons:

While TD Ameritrade offers many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider:

• Robo-advisors require a high minimum investment of $1,000
• Does not offer fractional shares or direct cryptocurrency trading
• Full account transfer fee of $75 is on the higher end
• Limited international trading, with only US and Canadian-listed securities available

Frequently asked questions