You’ve probably heard the saying that you never lose when you invest in property. While property can be a solid investment, traditional real estate investing can also be a headache. It’s a longer-term commitment that depends on a fluctuating real estate market and can produce illiquid investments. However, a real estate investment trust (REIT) offers a hands-off way to benefit from real estate by investing in property that is highly liquid. Here is Benzinga’s list of the best REIT stocks.

Quick Look at the Best REIT Stocks:

• Vornado Realty Trust
• Annaly Capital Management Inc
• Realty Income
• SL Green
• American Tower

Overview: REIT Stocks

REITs are companies that own and operate real estate or real estate debt. REITs are publically traded on the stock exchange. These companies buy real estate or real estate assets using combined investments from investors. Most REITs focus on a particular property type, but some hold multiple types of properties in their investment portfolios.

A REIT buys and develops real estate with the intent to lease property space and collect income. REIT companies are required by law to pay at least 90% of their taxable income for shareholders via dividends. REIT shareholders can earn a steady income from their investments but are required to pay taxes on that income.

There are 4 types of REITs:

• Equity REITs are the most common type of REIT investment. Equity REITs own or operate income-producing real estate, are publicly traded and generate revenue from rental incomes and typically invest in retail, residential, industrial or resort properties.
  
  
• Mortgage REITs (mREITs) provide financing for real estate by lending money to real estate buyers or acquiring mortgages. mREITs are publicly traded and generate income from the interest earned on mortgage loans.
  
  
• Public, nonlisted REITs (PNLRs) are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) but are not traded on major securities exchanges like equity REITs or mREITs. PNLRs work similarly to equity REITs and generate funds from rental incomes. However, PNLRs face redemption limitations that can affect their liquidity. Generally, liquidity options are limited to share repurchase programs or secondary marketplace transactions.
  
  
• Private REITs are real estate funds or companies exempt from SEC registration. They don’t trade shares on the national stock exchange and can only be sold by brokers to institutional investors. Share redemptions vary by company and can be limited.

Best Online Brokers for REIT Stock

You can invest in REITs individually, through an exchange-traded fund (ETF) or a mutual fund. 

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Interactive Brokers is a comprehensive trading platform that gives you access to a massive range of securities at affordable prices. You can buy assets from all around the world from the comfort of your home or office with access to over 150 global markets. Options, futures, forex and fund trading are also available, and most traders won’t pay a commission on any purchase or sale.  

IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors but now with the availability of free trades with IBKR Lite, casual traders can also acclimate to IBKR’s offerings.

Best For

• Access to international markets
• Active traders
• Detailed mobile app that makes trading simple
• Wide range of available account types and tradeable assets

Pros

• IB SmartRouting provides significant price improvement vs. industry
• Fractional trading allows investing regardless of share price
• Industry’s lowest margin rates
• Earn more by lending your fuly-paid shares

Cons

• Beginner investors might prefer a broker that offers a bit more hand-holding and educational resources

Best For

Leveraged Trading

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80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Plus500 is an online CFD broker focusing on contracts for difference (CFDs). CFDs are similar to binary options in the U.S. where traders take all-or-nothing speculation on the prices of certain securities like indices, commodities or currencies. While not legal to trade in the U.S., CFDs are legal in many jurisdictions across the globe and Plus500 offers a wide array of tradable markets using these instruments. 

Plus500 doesn’t charge commission and only profits off the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price of a specific security. But Plus500 is not a broker for beginners — the education materials are sparse and CFDs are risky derivatives capable of sapping out all of an investor’s capital. Only trade these instruments if you understand how they operate and the risks involved with buying them.

The Plus500 CFD platform is for CFDs. The Plus500 Futures platform offers futures for U.S. customers, and Plus500 Invest offers stock trading.

Best For

• Traders looking for a smooth mobile experience

Pros

• Great mobile app
• Low spreads and commissions
• Unlimited demo account

Cons

• Only derivatives are available
• Not open to U.S. residents

Best For

Trading Ideas

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Public is the only investing platform that lets you trade stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds, options and alternative assets—like fine art and collectibles—all in one place. Public also provides access to custom company metrics, live shows about the markets, and insights from a community of millions of investors, creators, and analysts.

Today, Public provides more ways to create a diversified portfolio than nearly any other online broker. Members can engage in sophisticated investing strategies and access a wealth of investing insights—from company-specific analysis to live audio shows and town hall-style Q&As. In addition, Public offers a premium membership tier with unique company KPIs, detailed performance metrics, and institutional-grade research. 

 

Best For

• Stock and ETF investors
• Crypto investors
• Investors looking to diversify with alternative assets or bonds and options

Pros

• Commission-free stock and ETF trading
• Fractional share investing
• Advanced data, tools, and insights with Public Premium

Cons

• You can’t transfer crypto to another wallet
• No mutual funds or precious metals
• At this time, only offers individual brokerage accounts and not IRAs

Best For

Commission-Free Mobile Trading

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Commission-Free Mobile Trading

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Robinhood is a popular trading platform known for its commission-free trades and user-friendly mobile app. Ideal for novice investors, Robinhood makes it easy to buy and sell stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The platform offers a straightforward, no-frills experience, making it accessible for users new to investing. With features like fractional shares and a sleek interface, Robinhood lowers the barriers to entry for investing, allowing users to start with just a few dollars. It lacks the advanced tools and research options that more experienced investors might seek. Overall, Robinhood is a great choice for beginners seeking a simple way to invest.

Best For

• Beginners looking for simplicity
• Mobile-first investors
• Commission-free trades

Pros

• User-friendly mobile app
• Instant double
• Cash management
• Access to cryptocurrencies

Cons

• Limited research tools
• No mutual funds available
• Basic customer support options

Best For

Active Short Sellers

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Active Short Sellers

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TradeZero is an online broker and free stock trading platform that provides everything you need to successfully share and trade, including round-the-clock customer support. TradeZero provides four different trading state-of-the-art software programs with its services, a locator for sourcing shares for shorting, commission-free trades, and real-time streaming, to name a few of the features promoted on their website. The software is a unique and (potentially) affordable option for anyone interested in stock trading.

Best For

• Traders seeking high transparency and mobility in a stock trading program
• Those attracted to commission-free trades
• Those seeking a free version of a high-quality trading program

Pros

• 24/7 live customer support
• Uses ZeroWeb technology, a powerful level 2 online platform with direct market access
• Mobile app allows users to access stocks and trade in real-time while on the go

Cons

• Enforces Pattern Day Trading restrictions (accounts need to maintain a daily equity balance of at least $25k)
• Mobile app could offer more features

Features to Look For in REIT Stocks 

REITs are a way to add real estate into your investment portfolio without becoming a landlord or having to invest large sums of money in a property yourself. When deciding what REIT to invest in, keep an eye out for these key features.

1. Funds From Operations (FFO)

Since REITs invest in real estate, all of a REIT’s assets are depreciable. However, unlike traditional businesses, depreciation doesn’t cost REITs anything — in fact, just the opposite. The value of real estate tends to go up over time.  

FFO refers to a REIT’s cash flow from operations and is calculated by adding depreciation and amortization to earnings then subtracting gains on sales. By adding depreciation expenses, a FFO provides a clearer picture of how much money a REIT makes. Many investors view FFO as the most important REIT-specific metric to understand before investing in a REIT.

2. Free Cash Flow (FCF)

FCF refers to the cash left over after a company accounts for its cash outflows to support operations and pay capital expenditures. With FCF, companies can pay dividends, debts and interest to investors among other things. 

FCF measures profitability by excluding noncash expenses and including changes in working capital. By including these changes, FCF can help investors determine whether a company is able to pay its expected dividends or interest.

3. Net Asset Value (NAV)

Real estate values are not always easy to determine, presenting a big challenge to REIT investors. Instead of relying on book value or earnings per share (EPS) to determine unit value, many REITs focus instead on net asset value (NAV). 

NAV refers to the estimated market value of a REIT’s total assets minus the value of its liabilities. When NAV is divided by the number of common shares, it can be a useful reference point for determining a company’s valuation and share price.

Slow and Steady

Investing in a REIT as part of a long-term investment strategy can enhance your investment portfolio’s stability and earnings. When choosing a REIT, make sure you research the company to determine what percentage of its assets are invested in real estate or real estate holdings. A solid REIT holds a range of diverse assets in its portfolio in order to protect itself against downturns in the real estate market and provide slow but steady growth in the long term.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The post Best REIT Stocks Right Now by Christina Vatansever appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

MetaStock is a comprehensive software platform focused on technical analysis and stock research, while TradeStation is an online brokerage that offers advanced trading tools and platforms for executing trades and managing investments.

If you want to get serious about trading, you need to invest in a stock analysis software. Stock analysis software can help you learn how to identify and adapt to market trends, backtest strategies to view success rates and design comprehensive trade or investing plans.

While stock analysis software won’t turn you into an instant pro, it will help you incorporate science and logic into trading. As a result, you’re less likely to rely on emotions like hunches, guesses or fear to make trades, improving your odds of success.

MetaStock and TradeStation offer some of the most advanced stock analysis software and tools on the market. Understanding the services each company offers can help you invest in the right stock software for your needs, making you a better trader and increasing your chances of success.

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Trade Commission-Free* Stocks, ETFs, Options, and Futures with The Award-Winning Technology of TradeStation.

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Disclosure * Only Entity (non-Institutional), IRAs, Individual or Joint equities and futures accounts with the correct promotional code entered and funded with New Assets (as defined below) greater than $499.99 are eligible for this cash offer. To qualify, you must enroll your existing or new account (the “Account”) either by entering the promotional code on your new account application or by requesting to enroll, via telephone, with a TradeStation Representative. You must fund the Account with New Assets within 45 calendar days of Account enrollment. New Assets is defined as cash or securities held at a financial institution other than TradeStation (assets transferred from an existing TradeStation account do not qualify). Your Account will not qualify for the cash offer if you withdraw or transfer assets from your Account, then redeposit them into the Account. New Assets will be aggregated during the 45-calendar day period following the enrollment date to determine the amount of your cash offer. TradeStation will calculate your eligibility to receive a cash offer by adding all New Assets deposited or transferred into the Account during the Promotional Period, reduced by any withdrawals or transfers from the Account during the 270-calendar day holding period following the last day upon which you funded your Account with New Assets during the Promotional Period (“Qualifying Assets”). Asset fluctuations (up or down) do not affect the calculation of Qualifying Assets. The cash offer will be determined based on Qualifying Assets in the Account as follows: Less than $500 – cash reward of $0; $500 – $24,999 – cash reward of $50; $25,000 – $99,999 – cash reward of $250; $100,000 – $199,999 – cash reward of $400; $200,000 – $499,999 – cash reward of $800; $1,000,000 – 1,999,999 – cash reward of $3,000; $2,000,000 or more– cash reward of $5,000. Your one-time cash reward will be deposited into the Account the month following the end of the 270-calendar day holding period. Customers who receive promotional offers from any TradeStation affiliate may be subject to IRS Form 1099-MISC reporting requirements should the total value of those items exceed $599 in a calendar year. Please consult a tax professional. This promotional offer does not apply to charges associated with overnight fees, regulatory fees or other account fees and charges, including margin interest, if any. Your account will be considered and approved or disapproved based on all relevant factors, including your financial situation and trading experience. Prices, fees, costs and terms are subject to change. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Only one offer per client on one qualifying account. Clients who received previous cash offers from TradeStation are ineligible. Additional restrictions apply. TradeStation reserves the right to terminate this offer or change the terms and conditions at any time.

MetaStock vs. TradeStation Overview

	Read Review
Best For Longer term traders Active investors	Best For Advanced traders Options and futures traders Active stock traders
Pros Feature rich charting packages Very simple and easy platform to use Lots of useful trading systems, indicators and strategies	Pros Comprehensive trading platform and professional-grade tools Wide range of tradable securities Fully-operational mobile app
Cons Metastock will only read Metastock formatted data Need to regularly delete de-listed securities as they slow down the data download updates	Cons Confusing pricing structure to leave new traders with a weak understanding of what they pay Cluttered layout to make navigating TradeStation’s platform more difficult than it should be

Who is MetaStock for?

MetaStock is a charting software tool that aims to take the guesswork out of trading. MetaStock’s software analyzes stock markets at the sector, industry group and security level, providing traders with a systematic approach for trading securities such as stocks, options, commodities, forex and futures. Founded in 1982, MetaStock’s platform not only provides market analyses but also allows private and professional traders to access dozens of stock exchanges across international markets.  

In short, MetaStock is an excellent tool for self-directed traders of all levels who want access to real-time news and high-quality technical analysis.  

Who is TradeStation for?

Founded in 1991, TradeStation historically catered solely to financial professionals like stockbrokers or money managers. In recent years, TradeStation began broadening its clientele to include private traders as well. TradeStation offers a free desktop platform filled with stock-trading tools such as customized trading strategies, backtesting and paper trading. Additionally, TradeStation reduced both minimum investments and trading costs to $0, making it more appealing and accessible to regular investors looking to seriously invest.

While TradeStation offers traders multiple platforms for trading securities, TradeStation does not trade forex. Check out this Benzinga article to learn more about forex trading and the popular forex trading platform FOREX.com.

Put simply, TradeStation is best for active and advanced traders wanting to trade stocks, options, futures and cryptocurrency.

Fees and Commissions

MetaStock’s most popular software platforms are MetaStock, MetaStock Pro and XENITH. In addition to purchasing software, you have the option to purchase additional subscriptions and add-ons, allowing you to customize your research and analyses.

Below are a few of MetaStock’s most popular software, subscriptions, add-ons and its fees. 

While MetaStock’s fees may look high at first glance, there also are no additional hidden fees such as per-trade fees. What you see is what you get. Additionally, your ability to customize your subscriptions and add-ons can give you a significant advantage as you trade across markets.

Unlike MetaStock, TradeStation’s software is free. However, TradeStation charges a $10 surcharge per trade along with per contract and per side fees. TradeStation introduced 2 new pricing plans: TS SELECT and TS GO. Both plans feature commission-free trades, but include per-contract fees that vary by asset class.

Below are some commonly traded assets and its fees under TradeStation’s new pricing plans. 

While TradeStation’s promise of a free desktop platform and $0 commissions is quite appealing, the $2,000 minimum investment for TS SELECT and per contract or per side fees require substantial trades to offset those costs.

Research Offerings

MetaStock’s software offers a host of tools called PowerTools. PowerTools provides professional analyses to private traders. You can either use PowerTool’s pre-built systems to determine patterns in the stock market or create your own system to find a specific pattern of your design.

Within PowerTools you’ll find:

MetaStock’s PowerTools allow you to analyze and rank thousands of securities, back-test multiple strategies, gain insights from industry experts and design your own criteria.

TradeStation’s desktop platform provides access to a range of research tools designed to enhance your trading expertise.

Some of TradeStation’s popular features are:

Though TradeStation has invested a lot into attracting private investors, its platform and features remain geared toward active, technical traders.

Ease of Use

MetaStock is generally favored by technical analysis enthusiasts and has a reputation for being beginner-friendly. It features an intuitive interface with a straightforward layout. The platform offers a range of built-in indicators and charting tools that are accessible without extensive training. Additionally, MetaStock provides helpful resources, including tutorials and webinars, which further simplify the learning process.

TradeStation appeals to more experienced traders, as it offers advanced trading features and customization options that can be overwhelming for beginners. Although the platform is packed with powerful tools for technical analysis, automated trading and extensive charting capabilities, its interface can seem complex and less intuitive for those who are new to trading. However, once users invest the time to learn the platform, they benefit from a highly customizable environment that supports in-depth market analysis and strategic trading.

The better platform? MetaStock emerges as the winner for novice traders seeking a user-friendly experience. Its accessible interface and educational resources make it a great starting point for those new to technical analysis and trading. Conversely, TradeStation is better suited for experienced traders who require advanced features and customization, even if it comes with a steeper learning curve.

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Disclosure Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

MetaStock vs. TradeStation Bottom Line

Both MetaStock and TradeStation offer world-class stock analysis software and customizable tools that can help you become a more successful trader. So, how do you know which stock analysis software is better for you? It depends on what type of trader you are.

TradeStation’s software is high quality but fairly technical; MetaStock’s software is user-friendly and accessible for traders of all levels. Bottom line: If you are a serious trader with a proclivity for technical trades, then TradeStation may be the best bet for you. If that’s not your trading style, however, MetaStock may be a better fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post MetaStock vs. TradeStation by Christina Vatansever appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Playing video games has become a profession that generates millions of fans. The top gamers and the companies that invest in them get many sponsors and high cash prizes for winning competitions. Video game players can make a full-time income by becoming top esports players, but what about investors? You don’t need any experience with video games to make money in the industry. This guide will cover how you can get exposure to the esports industry.

What are Esports?

Playing video games has become a profession that generates millions of fans. The top gamers and the companies that invest in them get many sponsors and high cash prizes for winning competitions. Video game players can make a full-time income by becoming top esports players, but what about investors? You don’t need any experience with video games to make money in the industry. This guide will cover how you can get exposure to the esports industry.

What are Esports?

If you asked a friend to name the most successful sports teams in the world, you would expect to hear teams like the New England Patriots or FC Barcelona. You might be shocked to hear your friend mention a professional gaming team such as Team Liquid or Fnatic. In recent years, electronic sports, or esports, have experienced explosive growth in popularity, with an estimated 380 million viewers worldwide.

Far from sitting on the couch at home playing against a few friends, esports gamers are organized professionals who compete in teams at high-level tournaments for cash prizes. Major brands recruit and draft gamers to represent them as a team and successful gamers can make millions in prize money and endorsements.

Traditional sports require competitors and fans to be in one location. In esports, gamers from around the world can compete against each other while fans around the world stream live. As the access to streaming services grows, investors are looking toward esports as a virtually untapped, multibillion-dollar industry with the potential for huge growth. Read on to learn about investing in esports.

Best Ways to Invest in Esports

If you’re looking to capitalize on esports’ growing popularity with investment opportunities, you have many options. The simplest way is to invest either in publicly traded stocks or with an online broker. Another option is to invest directly in an esports startup company, where you can find more below.

Publicly traded stocks are a more traditional approach. You can purchase shares from a variety of public companies within the esports industry. You may want to consider investing in the hardware side of the industry with companies like Logitech (NASDAQ:LOGI) which specializes in computer accessories and hardware or NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) which specializes in chip making. Alternatively, you could buy stock in a gaming publisher such as Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) or Nintendo (OTCMKTS:NTDOY). Another option is to invest in streaming services by buying stocks from a company like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) which owns the live streaming platform Twitch.

Investors can also get exposure to ETFs that focus on esports. The Video Games & Esports ETF (NASDAQ:HERO) is one of the many ETFs that simplifies your entry into the industry. You won’t have to worry about picking individual stocks or monitoring their performances.

Consider an online broker if you want more control and direction over your investments than traditional methods. Using an online broker allows you to react quickly to changes in the market rather than waiting for a broker or advisor to complete your request. As a result, you can be more flexible with your investments. Online brokers also have a different fee structure than financial advisors, which can lower the costs of trading. Online brokers typically charge a per-trade cost versus a fixed-management fee, reducing your costs if you do not trade often.

How to Use a Broker to Invest in Esports

If the flexibility and control offered by an online broker appeal to you, then follow these steps to buy shares through an online broker.

Open a Brokerage Account

A brokerage account is an investment account that you open with an online broker to trade stocks. Online brokerage firms act as an intermediary between you and the company, allowing you to trade stocks from your home. You can open a brokerage account online from any location and be ready to trade in a matter of minutes.

Research Potential Investment Opportunities

Online brokers offer analytical tools to help you make informed decisions about potential investments but it is important to do your own research. Looking at a company’s annual report is a good place to start researching esports investment opportunities. Annual reports provide a glimpse into a company’s performance and can help you determine whether a company fits your investment goals.

Determine How Much You Want to Invest

Make sure to consider both the current price of the stock as well as the amount of money you are willing to invest to determine how many shares you can purchase.

Place a Trade

To buy shares, find the ticker symbol under your brokerage account and fill out an order ticket. You need to include the symbol of the stock, the number of shares you want to purchase, your order type and the order expiration on your order ticket.

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Best For

Active and Global Traders

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get started securely through Interactive Brokers’s website

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Best For

Active and Global Traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

Interactive Brokers is a comprehensive trading platform that gives you access to a massive range of securities at affordable prices. You can buy assets from all around the world from the comfort of your home or office with access to over 150 global markets. Options, futures, forex and fund trading are also available, and most traders won’t pay a commission on any purchase or sale.  

IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors but now with the availability of free trades with IBKR Lite, casual traders can also acclimate to IBKR’s offerings.

Best For

• Access to international markets
• Active traders
• Detailed mobile app that makes trading simple
• Wide range of available account types and tradeable assets

Pros

• IB SmartRouting provides significant price improvement vs. industry
• Fractional trading allows investing regardless of share price
• Industry’s lowest margin rates
• Earn more by lending your fuly-paid shares

Cons

• Beginner investors might prefer a broker that offers a bit more hand-holding and educational resources

Best For

Leveraged Trading

Overall Rating

Read Review

get started securely through Plus500’s website

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Disclosure: 80% of retail accounts lose money

Best For

Leveraged Trading

N/A

1 Minute Review

80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Plus500 is an online CFD broker focusing on contracts for difference (CFDs). CFDs are similar to binary options in the U.S. where traders take all-or-nothing speculation on the prices of certain securities like indices, commodities or currencies. While not legal to trade in the U.S., CFDs are legal in many jurisdictions across the globe and Plus500 offers a wide array of tradable markets using these instruments. 

Plus500 doesn’t charge commission and only profits off the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price of a specific security. But Plus500 is not a broker for beginners — the education materials are sparse and CFDs are risky derivatives capable of sapping out all of an investor’s capital. Only trade these instruments if you understand how they operate and the risks involved with buying them.

The Plus500 CFD platform is for CFDs. The Plus500 Futures platform offers futures for U.S. customers, and Plus500 Invest offers stock trading.

Best For

• Traders looking for a smooth mobile experience

Pros

• Great mobile app
• Low spreads and commissions
• Unlimited demo account

Cons

• Only derivatives are available
• Not open to U.S. residents

Best For

Trading Ideas

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get started securely through public.com’s website

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Trading Ideas

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Public is the only investing platform that lets you trade stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds, options and alternative assets—like fine art and collectibles—all in one place. Public also provides access to custom company metrics, live shows about the markets, and insights from a community of millions of investors, creators, and analysts.

Today, Public provides more ways to create a diversified portfolio than nearly any other online broker. Members can engage in sophisticated investing strategies and access a wealth of investing insights—from company-specific analysis to live audio shows and town hall-style Q&As. In addition, Public offers a premium membership tier with unique company KPIs, detailed performance metrics, and institutional-grade research. 

 

Best For

• Stock and ETF investors
• Crypto investors
• Investors looking to diversify with alternative assets or bonds and options

Pros

• Commission-free stock and ETF trading
• Fractional share investing
• Advanced data, tools, and insights with Public Premium

Cons

• You can’t transfer crypto to another wallet
• No mutual funds or precious metals
• At this time, only offers individual brokerage accounts and not IRAs

Best For

Commission-Free Mobile Trading

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get started securely through Robinhood’s website

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Commission-Free Mobile Trading

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1 Minute Review

Robinhood is a popular trading platform known for its commission-free trades and user-friendly mobile app. Ideal for novice investors, Robinhood makes it easy to buy and sell stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The platform offers a straightforward, no-frills experience, making it accessible for users new to investing. With features like fractional shares and a sleek interface, Robinhood lowers the barriers to entry for investing, allowing users to start with just a few dollars. It lacks the advanced tools and research options that more experienced investors might seek. Overall, Robinhood is a great choice for beginners seeking a simple way to invest.

Best For

• Beginners looking for simplicity
• Mobile-first investors
• Commission-free trades

Pros

• User-friendly mobile app
• Instant double
• Cash management
• Access to cryptocurrencies

Cons

• Limited research tools
• No mutual funds available
• Basic customer support options

Best For

Active Short Sellers

Overall Rating

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get started securely through TradeZero’s website

More Details

Best For

Active Short Sellers

N/A

1 Minute Review

TradeZero is an online broker and free stock trading platform that provides everything you need to successfully share and trade, including round-the-clock customer support. TradeZero provides four different trading state-of-the-art software programs with its services, a locator for sourcing shares for shorting, commission-free trades, and real-time streaming, to name a few of the features promoted on their website. The software is a unique and (potentially) affordable option for anyone interested in stock trading.

Best For

• Traders seeking high transparency and mobility in a stock trading program
• Those attracted to commission-free trades
• Those seeking a free version of a high-quality trading program

Pros

• 24/7 live customer support
• Uses ZeroWeb technology, a powerful level 2 online platform with direct market access
• Mobile app allows users to access stocks and trade in real-time while on the go

Cons

• Enforces Pattern Day Trading restrictions (accounts need to maintain a daily equity balance of at least $25k)
• Mobile app could offer more features

Can You Invest in Esports Teams Directly?

When you think of ‘teams,’ you often think of one team with specific players. In the esports world, this is not always the case. Organizations recruit esports teams to be part of their operations and often have several teams playing under 1 team name. Fnatic and OG are two successful esports teams that are examples of this model.

If you want to invest in an esports team, you need to invest in the organizations that manage them. One of the biggest ways that organizations or teams make money is through sponsorships. If you’re considering investing in an esports team or organization directly, it’s a good idea to look at an organization’s current sponsorships and plans to expand sponsors.

Getting Started with the Esports Industry

Most game publishers like Logitech and Tencent (OTCMKTS:TCEHY) are successful companies with esports as a component of their bigger business. As the esports industry grows, startups with a greater focus on esports are entering the market. The emerging esports startups offer you an opportunity to get in at the ground level and invest with a company focused solely on esports. While ground-floor investments have the potential for major investment returns, investing with an early-stage company also leaves you open to greater risks.

Esports is the hot new term among investors and investment firms. Global esports revenues have been rising steadily each year alongside a passionate, growing fan base. Some investors believe esports can outperform traditional sports in just a few years.

Investing in the early stages of the esports industry has the potential for great growth and significant returns. Options for investment seem limitless. You can invest in publicly traded stocks, through an online broker or in teams and esports startups themselves. The only question is whether the industry will grow as predicted and if you can get in on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you’re serious about investing then you need to know about equity. Equity is a powerful tool that investors and investment firms rely on to decide which investments to make and which to avoid. Knowing what equity is and why it matters can help you make better investments and strengthen your investment portfolio.

Understanding Equity

Equity is a term used widely by financial professionals in different capacities. Put simply, equity means ownership. Whether you’re a shareholder or property holder, equity represents the amount of money that is yours if you had all assets liquidated and debt paid off.

Another way to think about equity is that equity is your assets’ net worth. Equity is generally referred to as shareholder equity, which is calculated as total assets minus its total liabilities.

Shareholder Equity = Total Assets − Total Liabilities

How Does Equity Work? 

While equity can seem like an abstract concept, it is part of everyday life. Investors, loan holders, homeowners, individuals and businesses all rely on equity to some extent to purchase assets, start operations and capital growth. Equity funds can also be used to pay off debt.

 Shareholder equity typically comes from two main sources:

• Initial investments: Ground-level investments that provide enough capital for a company to start up and go public
• Additional investments: Investments made after a company has gone public and is expanding or acquiring new assets

Equity can represent the current cash value of an asset or its potential value. Equity alone is not a definitive indicator of health, but when used in combination with other metrics it is a valuable tool for analyzing the health of a company or financial situation.

Why Does Equity Matter?

Equity functions as capital for a company and can be either positive or negative. A company with positive shareholder equity has enough assets to cover its liabilities. In non-technical language, if push came to shove, a company with positive equity could cash in everything to pay off its debts. Shareholders’ stakes have value.

Negative equity means that a company’s liabilities are greater than its assets. If you were talking about banking, that would mean you didn’t have enough cash in the bank to pay off your debts. Equity doesn’t work like that. Negative equity doesn’t mean that stakeholders are in debt. Instead, negative equity reflects the amount of assets that a company would have to generate before investors could see returns. Consequently, the value of stakeholders’ stakes is 0 until that amount is generated.

Why is this important? Because investors and investment firms typically view companies with negative equity as risky investments and tend to avoid them.

Types of Equity

There are five types of shareholder equity representing various ways that investors can own shares or invest in ownership of a company.

 Common Stock

Common stock equity, also called common shares, represents stakeholder ownership of a company. Common stock investors receive income via capital gains or dividends that are paid per share. Common stock value is determined by multiplying the stock value with the total number of shares. 

For example, 100,000 shares valued at $1 would result in $100,000 of common stock value.

Common stock stakeholders have the right to vote and have access to certain company assets. As a result, common stock investors have significant influence on the company’s affairs and earn greater capital gains than preferred shareholders.

Preferred Shares

Preferred share ownership is similar to common stock but shareholders have limited involvement. Preferred share investors have no voting rights or responsibilities within a company and are only involved with a company at a financial level. Each year preferred shareowners are guaranteed a cumulative dividend. A cumulative dividend means that if a dividend is not paid off in 1 year, it will accumulate until it is paid.

For example, a preferred share investor is entitled to $10 of cumulative dividends per year. If the company does not pay dividends for 2 years but is able to in the 3^rd year, then a preferred shareholder will receive $30 total in cumulative dividends at the end of the 3^rd year ($10 per year x 3 years = $30).

Treasury Stock

Sometimes a company buys back stock from common stockholders. This amount is deducted from the total equity of a business and is called treasury stock. While treasury stock itself doesn’t hold much value, companies often use treasury stock to boost share prices or offer share incentives for employees.

For example, if a company’s initial shareholder equity is valued at $3 million but it buys back $1 million from common stockholders as treasury stock, the result is $2 million in stakeholder equity ($3 million initial stakeholder equity – $ 1 million treasury stock = $2 million stakeholder equity).

Contributed Surplus

Contributed surplus is an amount that is paid over the par value of a stock. Par value is what the stock is actually worth whereas market value is what investors are willing to pay for it. Contributed surplus can also be referred to as additional paid-in capital and is entered onto a company’s balance sheet as the amount raised above par value.

For example, a company issues 10,000 shares with $1 par value shares at $5 per share. $10,000 ($10,000 shares x $1/par value share = $10,000) would go to common stock and the remaining $40,000 (10,000 shares x $4 amount over par value = $40,000) would go to contributed surplus.

The amount of contributed surplus can change based on a company’s gains or losses and be used to fund various business operations or investments.

Retained Earnings

Retained earnings is company income that is not paid to stockholders via dividends. Companies can use the leftover money to invest in additional assets, reinvest in the company or save for future needs.

For example, say a company earned $10 million. It needed $8 million to meet all of its financial obligations, including paying stockholders. That would leave a surplus or retained earnings amount of $2 million.

The Next Best Thing

Equity might not be money in the bank but it is the next best thing. Businesses and individuals rely on equity to inform financial decisions, particularly when it comes to investing. Equity can indicate financial ownership of an asset, the potential value of an asset or the overall health of a company.

Be careful not to base investment decisions solely on equity, however. Rather, examine equity along with other indicators to help you develop a clear picture of the company you’re investing in.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Marijuana is illegal at the federal level but medically legal in 33 states and legal for recreational use in 11 states as of January 2020. The marijuana market has an immense capacity for growth and attracts serious investment. However, it’s experienced major losses due to regulation and supply issues. Investors need to know the ins and outs of weed ETFs.

What are some alternative ways to invest in marijuana without exposing yourself to the vulnerabilities of a growing market?

Enter weed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Weed ETFs incorporate a basket of various assets within the marijuana industry. Most weed ETFs do not invest in local dispensaries. Instead, they tend to invest in a wide range of companies across the marijuana industry, from biotech companies to fertilizer producers.

Don’t miss out on this burgeoning industry. Here’s how you can get involved with cannabis ETFs.

Quick Look at the Best Weed ETFs:

• Alternative Harvest ETF
• Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index
• The Cannabis ETF

Weed ETFs Biggest Gainers and Losers

Cannabis ETFs emerged on the market about a decade ago and initially posted huge gains. However, many marijuana stocks lost big toward the end of 2019. 

Check out the live updates below to see which weed ETFs are gaining and losing.

Premarket Weed ETFs

As an ETF investor, you’re eligible to take part in premarket trading. Premarket trading happens before the general markets open, allowing you to get a head start on the day and news cycle. 

However, the volume of shares traded on the market during premarket hours is lower than during regular hours. This can make a share look stronger or weaker than it is before the market opens and real volume trading comes into play. 

Aftermarket Weed ETFs

Along with premarket access, ETF investors also have access to aftermarket trading. Aftermarket, or post-market trading, is the period after the markets close when you can buy or sell securities outside of regular trading hours. Though aftermarket trading poses the similar volume risks as premarket trading, it can be advantageous because you have the ability to react to breaking news or new information before the next day’s market opens.

Why Invest in Weed ETFs?

Take a look at the top 3 reasons you can consider an investment in weed ETFs.

1. Long-Term Benefits

Despite industry-wide setbacks in 2019, momentum toward legalization continues to build. As more states and countries legalize marijuana, the demand for access to medical and recreational marijuana increases. 

If you want to capitalize on this momentum but are wary of early-stage market volatility, ETFs offer a happy medium. Investing in weed ETFs can provide access to the growing marijuana market and its long-term benefits. It’s much less risky than investing in stocks directly.

2. Diversification

Rather than putting all of your eggs in 1 basket and investing in a single cannabis stock or penny stock, weed ETFs allow you to participate in the various stocks a fund holds across the marijuana industry. This means that you can access a greater number of investments throughout the marijuana industry with less investment capital. Weed ETFs also minimize risk by relying on overall industry performance indicators rather than the performance of a single stock.

3. User Friendly

Investing in ETFs is a relatively straightforward process with minimal upkeep. Your ETF fund is passively managed, which allows you to monitor from afar until you sell your individual shares. Weed ETFs are a great option for investors to tap into the marijuana industry at lower risk, without much upkeep.

Top 3 Weed ETF(s) by AUM

Weed ETFs consist of a range of companies throughout the marijuana industry. Here are the 3 weed ETFs whose growth records and diverse assets under management (AUM) indicate future recovery. 

AUM refers to the market value of a company’s assets that also serves as a useful metric to measure a company’s success over time. The higher a company’s AUM, the more successful the company.

1. Alternative Harvest ETF (NYSEARCA: MJ)

MJ was the first weed ETF offered in the U.S. and it tracks several cannabis stocks around the world. MJ comprises 37 holdings, and it only invests in companies that get 50% or more of their earnings from marijuana. 

MJ’s shares include companies engaged in both medical and nonmedical purposes, ranging from legal cultivation of marijuana products to fertilizer manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that distribute cannabinoids. MJ’s top 4 holdings include Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON), GW Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: GWPH), Canopy Growth (NYSE: CGC) and Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACBFF).

2. Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (TSX: HMLSF)

Headquartered in Toronto, the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF is 1 of the largest weed ETFs. It primarily focuses on stocks within the medical cannabis sector. The Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), and it’s open to U.S. investors on the over-the-counter (OTC) market. 

HMLSF’s portfolio consists of over 50 marijuana stocks and provides investors with exposure to marijuana businesses ranging from pharmaceuticals to cannabis cultivation. HMLSF’s top 4 holdings include Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC), GW Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: GWPH), Cronos Group (NASDAQ: CRON) and Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG).

3. The Cannabis ETF (NYSEARCA: THCX)

The Cannabis ETF from Spinnaker ETF Series focuses solely on cannabis-related companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. It doesn’t diversify investments in companies across the marijuana industry. The majority of the Cannabis ETF’s holdings are in the U.S., though it holds assets in the U.K. and Canada as well. 

The Cannabis ETF’s aim is to provide investors with easy access to the marijuana market and its top 4 holdings are Aphria Inc. (NYSE: APHA), Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG), Cronos (NASDAQ: CRON) and GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH).

Best Online Brokers for Weed ETFs

Weed ETFs are a great way to diversify or hedge portfolio risks. Here are Benzinga’s top picks for investment firms that can help you navigate the ins and outs of the marijuana industry and ETFs.

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1. Firstrade

Firstrade appeals to both experienced investors and beginners with its $0 trading costs, $0 per-contract fees for options trades and $0 account minimum. Firstrade also provides access to 3 trading platforms and a mobile app for easy access to up-to-date information. 

Additionally, if you’re interested in long-term investments, take advantage of Firsttrade’s commission-free trades for all mutual funds.

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2. TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade is known for its 4 high-quality trading platforms. It offers free research, data and portfolio guidance and has almost 300 branches dedicated to in-person customer support. 

TD Ameritrade has a $0 minimum investment policy and charges $0 commissions on stock, options, ETF trades and a selection of mutual funds. Though Charles Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade in November 2019, TD Ameritrade will accept accounts until the acquisition is finalized. Then all TD Ameritrade accounts will be moved over to Charles Schwab.

Invest in the Right Weed ETF for You

Though the marijuana market has experienced turbulent times this past year, long-term indicators suggest that the industry may be down but not out. Weed ETFs are a great way to dip your toes in and test out the marijuana market without immersing yourself completely. By investing in a weed ETF, you can tap into a diverse collection of assets across the marijuana industry and limit your exposure to market volatility risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The consumer staples sector is made up of companies that provide daily goods and services like food and clothing. Due to COVID-19, food and beverage companies face reduced consumption and disrupted supply chains. However, at-home consumption has increased significantly along with delivery services. Many investors wonder whether this shift is an indication of long-term changes in customer behavior.

Quick Look at the Best Food ETFs:

• E-TRACS USB Bloomberg Commodity
• First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage
• PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage Portfolio

Food ETFs Biggest Gainers and Losers

Food industry exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are major players in the consumer staples sector. Many subsectors within the industry including coffee, livestock, U.S. fast-food chains — with global operations and socially responsible funds focused on environmental and social issues. Check out the live updates below to see which food ETFs are gainers and losers.

Premarket Food ETFs

ETFs can be bought and sold on the market all day. As a result, ETF share prices fluctuate throughout the day. One advantage of investing in an ETF versus a mutual fund is that you can take part in premarket trading, which takes place before the markets open. While premarket trading can allow you to get a head start on the day and news cycle, the amount of shares traded on the market at that time is lower than usual. This limited volume can affect a share’s showing, making it look stronger or weaker than it is before the market opens and real volume trading comes into play. 

Aftermarket Food ETFs

Along with premarket access, investing in ETFs means that you can also take advantage of aftermarket or postmarket trading. This is the period after the markets close when investors can buy or sell securities outside of regular trading hours. While aftermarket trading poses the same limited volume risks as premarket trading, aftermarket trading allows you to react to breaking news or new information before the next day’s market opens.

Why Invest in Food ETFs?

Check out a few reasons why you might want to invest in food ETFs.

Low Fees

ETFs are passively managed and have significantly lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds. You save on management costs such as management fees, shareholder accounting expenses, service fees and load fees. Since there is only 1 transaction per ETF trade, you will avoid paying multiple commission fees that can occur when trading multiple stocks.

High Liquidity

ETFs are simple to buy and extremely liquid. ETFs trade frequently throughout the day as well as during pre- and postmarket hours. ETF share prices are continuously updated and ETFs can be sold short or on margin, making them easy to acquire and get rid of. As a result, you can jump in and out of ETF trades as frequently as you want.

Tax Advantages

ETFs offer investors numerous tax advantages. Since ETFs are passively managed, their underlying holdings are traded less frequently. As a result, investors incur lower capital gains taxes and only pay capital gains taxes when they sell their entire ETF share. Since you can choose when to sell your personal share, you control when you want to impose the capital gains tax and can wait to do so at an advantageous time.

Top 3 Food ETF(s) by AUM

Food ETFs can encompass a range of companies within the food industry. Below are 3 food ETFs with proven growth records and diverse assets under management (AUM) across the food industry. AUM refers to the market value of a company’s assets that also serves as a useful metric to measure a company’s success over time. The higher a company’s AUM grows over time, the more successful the company.

1. E-TRACS USB Bloomberg Commodity (FUD)

An exchange-traded note, the UBS ETRACS CMCI Food Total Return tracks the price and performance yield of the UBS Bloomberg CMCI Food Total Return index. The index measures returns from a diversified basket of agriculture and livestock futures contracts. It is made up 11 agriculture futures contracts and 2 livestock futures contracts included in the CMCI.

2. First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG)

FTXG’s portfolio concentrates on the food and beverage industry. In fact, 5 of FTXG’s 29 holdings make up around 40% of its fund. That said, FTXG’s holdings include some of the biggest players in the processed food and beverage industry from PepsiCo and Mondelez International (MDLZ) to alcohol companies such as Constellation Brands (STZ).

3. PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage Portfolio (PBJ)

PBJ is one of the oldest food ETFs around and offers investors a balanced fund. PBJ’s top 5 holdings make up around 25% of the fund and include big-name food products distributor Sysco Corp. (SYY) and Kraft Heinz Co (KHC). PBJ’s portfolio also consists of top-name consumer discretionary stocks including Starbucks (SBUX), McDonalds (MCD) and Domino’s Pizza (DPZ).

Best Online Brokers for Food ETFs

Food ETFs are a great way to diversify a portfolio or hedge portfolio risks. Below are Benzinga’s picks of investment firms that can help you navigate the ins and outs of the food industry and ETF trading.

The brokers below also offer options for trading penny stocks. Check out this Benzinga article to learn more about how penny stocks can enhance your investment portfolio.

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1. Webull

Webull provides its Hot ETFs lists and ETF screeners so you can hone in on the exact ETFs you’re looking for. You can also tap into comprehensive and real-time ETF quotes and market news. Use Nasdaq TotalView to help you understand the market trends corresponding to ETFs in real time. Webull also helps you out with its ETF screener to find the ETFs you want for your portfolio.

Webull’s new Desktop Trading Platform offers a fully customizable trading terminal (with over 45 widget boxes) to help you trade.

Right now, you can also get 3 free stocks! For a limited time, Webull offers a stock valued between $2.50 and $250 when you open a Webull brokerage account. Get 2 free stocks valued between $8 and $1,600 when you make an initial deposit of $100 or more.

Open an account with Webull to get your 3 free stocks today.

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2. TradeStation

TradeStation’s free desktop platform is filled with stock trading tools and is widely considered one of the most advanced trading platforms in the industry.

TradeStation offers investors access to a wide range of tradable securities and cryptocurrencies, and is best suited for active and advanced traders wanting to trade stocks, options, futures and cryptocurrency. TradeStation’s $0 minimum investment and trading costs are also appealing to regular investors.

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3. Firstrade

Firstrade’s $0 trading costs and $0 per-contract fees for options trades are appealing to both experienced investors and beginners.

Firstrade also boasts 3 trading platforms and a mobile app, allowing for easy access to up-to-date information. Additionally, all investors with long-term investments can take advantage of commission-free trades for all mutual funds.

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4. TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade is known for its high-quality trading platforms, offering free research, data and portfolio guidance for its customers. Also, with almost 300 branches dedicated to in-person customer support, TD Ameritrade is dedicated to customer service.

TD Ameritrade has a $0 minimum investment policy and charges $0 commissions on stock, options, ETF trades and a selection of mutual funds.

Food for Thought

ETFs are a great way to spice up your investments and balance your portfolio. These funds offer numerous advantages for investors and food ETFs in particular have proven to be stable investments with strong performance over time.

Like any ETF, food ETFs are not risk-free. It’s wise to talk with a broker about ways to mitigate or manage risks. Once you’ve done your research, dig in and enjoy the benefits!

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Best Food ETFs Right Now by Christina Vatansever appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Imagine a network that’s 10 times faster than your current network and projected to be 100 times faster within a few years. That kind of speed could deliver life-changing tech in a matter of seconds, not minutes. It’s a reality that’s already being put into action by companies around the world, using 5G. If you’re looking for an investment with huge potential, read on to learn how to invest in 5G right now.

Tips for Investing in 5G

It’s hard to imagine a new technology impacting the world as the internet, but that’s what 5G is predicted to do. Many countries and companies have already invested billions in 5G infrastructure and technology. More is projected to be allocated — billions — toward future investments. 

Given the size, scope and impact that 5G is expected to generate worldwide, investors are looking toward 5G as the future of wireless communication.

What is 5G?

Short for 5^th generation technology, 5G is a mobile broadband network that will replace 4G LTE. 5G will deliver exponentially faster download and upload speeds and significantly decrease communication times among wireless devices. 

Its improvements in broadband performance, efficiency and cost are expected to redefine a range of industries significantly worldwide. By 2035, 5G’s economic impact may produce up to $13 trillion in goods and services. 

Best Ways to Invest in 5G 

If you’re thinking about investing in 5G, the simplest way to do it is to enlist the help of an investment broker to buy 5G stocks. An investment broker is a licensed individual or firm that buys or and sells investments for a client. Brokers help clients purchase investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds or securities in exchange for a commission. 

There are many types of investment brokers. You can work with an individual broker to buy and sell investments. In addition to buying and selling investments, a full-service broker can also offer personalized investment advice and retirement planning. Discount brokers offer a limited scope of services, only executing the trades you want. Direct access brokers are an online alternative that provides platform access to trade directly with markets.

A broker can also refer to a brokerage firm such as Merrill Lynch or Charles Schwab. In this case, The firm acts as an intermediary by providing basic services for buying and selling investments.

How to Use a Broker to Invest in 5G 

When deciding which type of broker fits your needs best, consider these tips:

1. Think about your investment goals. Consider how much you want to invest, how much you are willing to risk and how much you are willing to put down for a minimum account balance.
2. Consider your investment style. Do you want to be more autonomous and actively trade? Or, do you want to have an expert assist you and manage your portfolio?
3. Decide what type of broker fits your investment style. If you want more services and contact with a personal broker, a full-service broker is a better fit for you. If you want more autonomy and faster action time, then a discount broker or direct access broker is better for you.
4. Research the individual broker or firm. Use resources such BrokerCheck on the FINRA website to look up your broker’s education background, licensure and previous employers.

Best Brokers for Investing in 5G

Here is a list of some reputable online brokers that can help you capitalize on 5G investment opportunities and manage your 5G investment funds.

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TradeStation

TradeStation is internationally recognized as a professional-level brokerage that provides some of the most advanced trading services and platforms in the industry. TradeStation offers a free desktop platform filled with stock-trading tools such as customized trading strategies, backtesting and paper trading. It also offers investors a wide range of tradable securities and cryptocurrencies. 

Additionally, TradeStation reduced minimum investments and trading costs to $0, making it more appealing and accessible to regular investors looking to seriously invest. However, TradeStation is best suited for active and advanced traders wanting to trade stocks, options, futures and cryptocurrency.

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TD Ameritrade

Long considered one of the top online brokerages, TD Ameritrade is known for its 4 high-quality trading platforms and customer service. TD Ameritrade offers free research, data and portfolio guidance for its customers and has almost 300 branches dedicated to in-person customer support. 

In addition to a $0 minimum investment, the company offers $0 commissions on stock, options, ETF trades and a selection of mutual funds. Though Charles Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade in November 2019, TD Ameritrade continues to accept accounts until the acquisition is finalized. After finalization, all TD Ameritrade accounts will move over to Charles Schwab.

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E*TRADE

E*TRADE is a popular online broker that offers valuable resources for both beginner and advanced traders. E*TRADE offers investors $0 commissions on all stock, options and ETF trades. Additionally, E*TRADE provides investors with the choice of multiple professional-level trading platforms and a large library of educational resources. 

Though E*TRADE was purchased by Morgan Stanley in February 2020, it will continue accepting new accounts until the deal is approved at the end of the year. Once approved, all E*TRADE accounts will move under Morgan Stanley.

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Firstrade

Firstrade is unique because it appeals to both experienced investors and beginners. Experienced investors will appreciate Firstrade’s $0 trading costs and $0 per-contract fees for options trades. Beginners will enjoy Firstrade’s $0 account minimum. 

Both experienced and beginner investors interested in making long-term investments can take advantage of commission-free trades for all mutual funds. Firstrade also boasts 3 trading platforms and a mobile app, allowing for easy access to up-to-date information.

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eOption

eOption specializes in helping investors buy and sell options. Though the company charges .99 per trade, eOption only charges 10 cents per contract.

This allows eOption to offer competitively low prices for investors interested in trading multiple contracts. eOption also offers $0 ETFs and commission stock trades, making this a great choice for high-volume, active traders.

Best Stocks to Invest in 5G

Today 5G investments are available across a range of companies and industries. Below is a list of companies that have invested heavily in 5G and are the future leaders of the 5G industry.

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) 

Apple is a major player in the 5G revolution and was planning to roll out the first 5G compatible iPhones in September 202, but the coronavirus has slowed production and delayed the launch of 5G iPhones until October.

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) 

While Apple launched the first 5G compatible phones, Verizon launched the first major telecom carrier to roll out 5G in September 2019. Verizon invested millions in 5G technology.

Samsung (NASDAQ: SSNLF) 

Samsung not only created 5G smartphones, but also is a prominent network solutions provider for numerous telecom carriers. Verizon may have the infrastructure to roll out 5G, but it is reliant on Samsung to provide fixed 5G networks for its commercial solutions.

Qualcomm (QCOM) 

Qualcomm is one of the leading chipmakers in the industry and currently manufactures 5G chips. Qualcomm also secured a deal to supply 5G chips to Apple for its 5G iPhones.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) 

Intel is also a chipmaker but will supply additional devices critical for maintaining and expanding the 5G network infrastructure. Intel has supply deals in place with numerous smartphone makers, including Apple.

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) 

Cisco will supply the hardware necessary to connect devices, analyze data and enhance cybersecurity for the 5G market.

The Future is Here

Companies prepared for 5G for years and now that it’s launched, it’s predicted to be the biggest technological innovation of modern times, 5G will redefine mobile broadband communication as we know it. 

Investing in 5G is an investment in the future. Talk to an investment broker to see whether 5G investments would be a good fit for your portfolio and how they could help you reach your financial goals.

The post How to Invest in 5G Right Now by Christina Vatansever appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.