Platforms, Brokers, Legislation, Commissions and Slippage Guide

Most of the backtesting done on this website is done in Amibroker (please read our Amibroker review to better understand the software). This page starts with a few articles related to that software: Trading platforms and software: Trading in different jurisdictions: Brokers and legislation: Execution and rebate in trading systems: Slippage in trading:

ETFs Vs. Futures: What Should You Trade – What’s The Difference?

ETFs vs futures – what should you trade? EU residents are not eligible for trading most US-domiciled/registered ETFs. Because of this, EU retail clients and traders are looking for alternatives: Are US futures or EU ETFs viable options and trading vehicles for US ETFs? What should you trade – ETFs or futures? We explain the…

How To Choose The Best Stock Broker For You (What To Look For When Choosing A Broker)

If you are serious about trading you should spend time on how to choose the best stock broker for you and what to look for. It’s an important decision, not only because of costs but also because of the security of your funds and assets. In this article, we look at how to choose the…

Can European Investors Buy US ETFs? Is It Possible To buy US ETFs For EU Retail Clients?

Can European investors buy US ETFs? Is it possible to buy US ETFs for EU retail clients? No, since 2018 EU residents can’t trade US-domiciled ETFs because of EU legislation that most US-registered ETFs have not bothered to deal with. For most EU traders and investors this means US ETFs are not possible to trade…

The Hidden Cost Of Strict KYC and AML In The Banking Sector

This article is off-topic, but in my opinion quite important: Because of the strict regulation to clamp down on money laundering, small businesses are suffering. The regulation has unintended consequences. Anti Money Laundering (AML) rules and KYC International regulators, led by the EU and the USA, are increasingly taking steps to clamp down on money…

How Bid-Ask Spreads Influenced My Trading Profits Negatively

Commissions and slippage might ruin your trading strategies. The market offered a nice opportunity to show how bigger bid-ask spreads eat into your profits. This article covers the newly implemented 5 cents spread in certain stocks and how that has influenced my trading profits negatively. Why bid-ask spreads increased On October 3 in 2016 SEC…

MOC and OPG orders – (How To Minimize Slippage And Commissions When Trading) – [trading strategy]

Lately, I have done some research trying to develop some new daytrading strategies. I have tested many trading strategies that buy or sell at the open (OPG). The exit has been after two hours or on the close (MOC). An OPG trading strategy limits slippage. Likewise, a MOC trading strategy does the same. In this…

Commission Costs

Commission Costs

Trading is very difficult. Not only is it difficult to find profitable strategies, but you also have to overcome slippage and commission costs. Slippage is difficult to estimate. Commissions costs, however, are easy to calculate. Personally, I pay .001 per share in clearing plus ECN rebates and taxes/fees. So far in 2012, I have paid…

Implications of A Financial Transactions Tax (Why It’s A Bad Idea)

Implications of A Financial Transactions Tax (Why It’s A Bad Idea)

(This piece is a rewrite of what I sent to several newspapers before Christmas 2011) The European Commission has suggested a ”banking transaction tax”. In November 2011 they asked the representatives at the Council of the EU to express clear “support for the shift of tax burden from low-income population to the financial sector”, according…