Overview
Fidelity Investments offers an array of trading and educational tools that many first-time investors will find beneficial. With the availability of investment
advice and 24/7 customer service, traders hoping to learn the ropes seem to have good resources here. So, is Fidelity a good broker for a beginner? This article
will provide the answer.
The Fidelity Account
Fidelity’s flagship brokerage account is aptly named the Fidelity Account. Here customers have access to a rich range of products
and services and can link to other Fidelity Investments accounts, such as IRA's and cash management accounts.
Pricing, Fees, and Account Minimums
The cost of the Fidelity Account is good for first-time traders. There is no minimum balance requirement, and it comes with zero monthly account fees. There is a $2,500 opening deposit requirement.
Fidelity’s charge for stocks and ETF’s trading is $4.95. To place a trade over the phone costs $9.95, and trading with a living broker is a somewhat pricey $29.95.
Fidelity Investments provides over 10,000 mutual funds, many of which come with no load and no transaction fee when held more than 60 days. Such a selection of mutual funds is ideal for customers new to the world of investing who aren’t quite ready yet for the more volatile environment of stocks and options.
Traders also have access to 84 commission-free ETF's at Fidelity. Such a large selection of free-to-trade ETF’s is a great opportunity for new investors who want to practice trading without being charged commissions.
Cash Management
Fidelity also offers Cash Management Account, that comes with checks,
deposit slips, images of cleared checks, and a Visa Gold debit card. This gives the account all the benefits of a regular checking account.
New investors could use this account to learn Fidelity’s web site and to trade money market mutual funds.
Customer Service
Fidelity can be contacted through online chat system, phone, fax, or email. The phone service is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the reps have a history of being trained and actually knowing what they’re talking about, which of course is a big plus for traders who are new to the game.
Promotions
New investors who want to get their feet wet can receive 100 commission-free trades
at Fidelity for 90 days. This promotion offer gives new investors an opportunity to build a portfolio at no charge. Unfortunately, this
offer has a very steep $50,000 initial deposit requirement.
In contrast, TD Ameritrade currently has a promotion offering 300 commission-free trades for 90 days with only a $2,000 opening deposit requirement, making Fidelity’s promo look a little disappointing.
Trading tools
Fidelity offers trading by automated phone system, on-line, and with a live broker. As with most low-cost brokers, the cheapest option is trading on-line. The web site is simple and easy to learn. Customers who have multiple accounts will see all accounts upon a single log-in.
Trading securities is trouble-free with Fidelity’s intuitive trade ticket or standard web browser platform. New investors without trading experience will have no problem catching on quickly. There are videos on Fidelity’s web site that instruct beginners on the ABC’s of placing trades.
Mobile trading
Fidelity offers apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows Phone 8. The apps interface is intuitive and user friendly. Users can easily
transfer funds between accounts, make mobile check deposits, place trades, pay bills, and contact customer service. It’s great for traders just starting out.
Pros
Fidelity has actual brick-and-mortar branches, which could come in handy for a noobie. Local branches offer investment advice and retirement
planning. Some of Fidelity’s competitors, such as Firstrade and TradeStation, don’t have local branches.
Cons
Fidelity’s standard commission of $4.95 is higher than some of its rivals, such as Ally Invest ($3.95 for active traders) and Firsttrade ($0.00 for all clients).
Furthermore, access to Fidelity’s advanced trading platform, Fidelity Active Trader Pro, is only available to traders placing 36 or more trades in a 12 month period,
a real turn off to new investors who probably won’t start out trading so frequently.
A practice account would be great for new investors to who need to experience trading without risking actual money. Unfortunately, Fidelity doesn’t offer
such a platform. TD Ameritrade and TradeStation do offer such virtual platforms, and they have no monthly account fees.
So Is Fidelity Good for Beginners?
Fidelity offers unique advantages to first-time investors; although they may want to check out a different broker to gain access to a
virtual trading platform.
Fidelity For Beginners
reviewed by Brokerage-Review.com.
Rating: 4.5
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