Broker

A broker acts as an intermediary between a buyer and a seller in financial markets. Individual investors typically cannot trade directly on a stock exchange and must use a licensed broker or brokerage platform to place their orders.

Brokers range from full-service firms that provide personalised investment advice to discount online brokers that simply execute orders at low or zero commission. The rise of app-based investing platforms has made brokerage services accessible to almost anyone with a smartphone.

When choosing a broker, key considerations include the range of available markets and instruments, fee structure, platform usability, regulatory protections, and the quality of educational resources. Your broker holds your securities in a custody account on your behalf.