| With the computerization of the stock exchange | | | | specialized services, and an investor will find it hard to |
| transactions and with the advent of the internet | | | | do these functions of his own. These analyses are |
| felicitating the online trade, the number of brokerage | | | | wonderful tools to conclude how the shares will |
| firms has increased considerably. The investors are | | | | perform in the short and long term. |
| also in millions. Among the multitude of brokerage | | | | Better take some time to search for a good broker. |
| firms, an investor has to choose one or two, | | | | Much depends upon the type and volume of trade |
| depending upon the type of trade one venture to do. | | | | that you wish to do. A broker needs to understand |
| The necessity of dealing through the broker is | | | | your specific financial goals. Some of the essential |
| universally accepted now, and such firms have added | | | | qualities that a broker must possess in this fierce |
| new types of services to attract the investors. | | | | competitive era of investment are the quality of the |
| Traditionally, the broker buys & sells your stocks | | | | website. It will reveal much about the inside story of |
| as per your instructions or according to the agreed | | | | the functioning of the brokerage firm. Look at their |
| arrangements. Even for the experienced investor, | | | | internet tools, response time for e-mails, the |
| engaging the services of a broker is desirable. For a | | | | customer support hours and structures and the |
| new investor, such services are a must to avoid | | | | overall professionalism. |
| abrupt losses. Your success in the market greatly | | | | A good broker has the pool of expertise in his office |
| depends upon the business acumen of your broker. | | | | or he is linked to such a facility, and therefore he is |
| He provides you with timely tips and appropriate | | | | competent to handle your investment related |
| advice as applicable to a particular trade. He is in | | | | questions. You will be able to build a portfolio of 10-15 |
| overall management of your portfolio. | | | | shares and that is good for an investor in the initial |
| The responsibilities of the broker are not merely to | | | | stages. To do your own investment options is a lot |
| answer your queries over the phones and reply your | | | | cheaper, but the broker will prevent many a pitfalls |
| e-mails. He has the positive role to play in your life as | | | | for you, which otherwise would have put you in |
| an investor and his trusted client. His primary | | | | losses. |
| responsibility is to get profits for you through | | | | A broker is your trusted friend as for investment |
| intelligent well-timed trades. He keeps a close watch | | | | related maters. Initially you may start with a small |
| on the market trends and moods on the basis of | | | | capital, but when you happen to tag on to a good |
| research and analysis done for him by his support | | | | broker and continue to make profits, the size of your |
| team. He passes on the useful information to his | | | | investment will increase and he would be in control of |
| clients, throws light on the investment opportunities | | | | a good part of your capital. When a huge amount of |
| and adverse situations in the market so that you can | | | | the investor's money is held in trust by the broker, |
| instruct him to take action as you deem fit. | | | | the chances of fraud can not be ruled out. Insurance |
| Providing fundamental analysis and technical stock | | | | protection for such eventualities needs to be |
| analysis has become part of the services offered by | | | | provided. Frauds can happen at any stage of the |
| the reputed brokerage firms. These facilities are used | | | | transaction, not necessarily through the direct |
| by an intelligent investor who has arrived at the | | | | involvement of the broker. |
| exchange for long-term association. These are | | | | |