Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone knows how we can buy stocks on the US stock exchange? I know OSK has a service for this but the charges is very high, anyone know of any more effective way to invest in the US stock exchange?

you can try this Firsttrade.com . Can apply through online and fund the account.

I'm using InteractiveBrokers, the commissions is low, for 1 to 100 shares is usd1.00 and Options are usd1.00 per contract.

You can open the account online and fund your account via bank transfer. The minimun amount to start with is USD2K or 3K, I cannot remember. There is a platform for you to do paper trading as well.

Once you are ready, you can access the trading platform via web or Javaapps, real-time.

I don't work for them, no commissions for promoting them here.

root_y

are they reliable? I mean, I'm gonna transfer my $$ online to them, which I cannot see their office, broker in person, unlike locally I can pay a visit to OSK or HwangDBS...I'm sorta concern to transfer $$ online when I cannot 'see' or 'touch' them..hope u get what I mean

I have been with them for 3 yrs+ and they are already in the market for the past 30 years.

Hey thanks to JimJimKC and root_y for the tips. I'll take a look at these.

these are US based broker that i found from google

http://www.schwabat.com/
http://www.scottrade.com/
http://www.ameriprise.com/amp/individual/p...g/brokerage.asp
http://personal.fidelity.com/products/trad...tent.shtml.cvsr
http://www.mldirect.ml.com/
http://www.sharebuilder.com/
http://www.tdameritrade.com/
https://personal.vanguard.com/us/literature...forms/brokerage
http://www.troweprice.com/

interactivebrokers is the best, offering best tools, report generator, management tools and best rate!

only USD1 for stock and USD 0.7 for option.

Anyway, you need USD 5k to open your account.

http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/gener...bout/awards.php

Other than interactivebrokers:

www.etrade.com.sg (i am using them, fee is high, $19.99 for 2000 shares)

www.optionsxpress.com.sg


They are both US brokerage firms with office branch in sg.

Welcome to US stock/option trading!

This post has been edited by cloud9_lee: Dec 20 2007, 08:37 PM

can one share the experience of US stocks investment? From open an online trading acc, transfer money, their way to store the shares contract (like our CDS acc), selling our shares on hand and how to transfer back to RM? I'm very interested to know about it.....

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Added on January 15, 2008, 5:32 pmno one sharing?

This post has been edited by AaronCjS: Jan 15 2008, 05:32 PM

To trade in US stocks market you can only start at night at 9:30pm or 10:30pm depends on the daylight saving.

Opening an account is not cumbersome, just go to their website and fill in all your details, to transfer money, just go to any local bank tell them you want to transfer to the account name provided by the US brokerage firm during you sign up your account with them. of course, bank will charges some fees

All the shares you bought will be in the account with the brokerage firm, and can be view via the online software they provided to you. From the software itself you can have the option to transfer the money back to any bank in Malaysia, and of course some processing fees.

Is that what you want to know ?

How bout GCI Trading ?

Hi guys. Does anyone of you guys subscribing any US financial/investment services like Morningstar or Motley Fool. I was just wondering is it really worth spending US150 per year for their services. Do share your opinion/experience.

This post has been edited by amirbashah: Jan 27 2008, 08:28 PM

"worth spending US150 per year for their services" as in all financial advise... nothing is guaranteed.. except berkshire hathaway, gold and oil

amirbashah,

I think you can pay USD $30 per year to join the Motley Fool board. It is worthwhile to join the board but avoid paying $150 for the newsletter.

I am in Mortley Fool and I have subscribed the $150 but it is not very useful to me.

Dreamer

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure you're a good/experienced investor, that's why there's no need for you paying USD150 for the newsletter . What about their stock advisor picks? How's the performance?

amirbashah,

I had moved on to "asset allocation model" and "lazy portfolio" approach. It is NOT WORTH my effort to spend that much time playing with stock market. I have less than 5% of my money as play money in stock market just for fun. I prefer to sleep at night and NOT thinking about stock.

<<What about their stock advisor picks? How's the performance?>>

Who cares?? You are asking the WRONG question. The GOAL is to manage your investment according to your financial goal and risk profile. Performance is so far down the list of what a person should be thinking.

Can your portfolio make money under all markets?? Can you go to sleep for 5 years without doing anything about your portfolio?? If not, you are NOT INVESTING.

Dreamer

Guyz, please take note on witholding tax when investing in US. The only thing not favourable for me to invest in US is they automatically reduce your dividend or any in lieu payment 30%. If you solely depends on dividend for your investment return, then too bad, 30% of your return will gone. Unless you're a US citizen or Tax Resident.

There's no way to avoid it, as, all broker required you furnish W8-BEN form when you open an account with them.

This post has been edited by keith_hjinhoh: Jan 28 2008, 12:56 AM

I thought it's tax free for investing stocks in the US? Do they charge you solely on dividend or how much you gain from your investment?

As keith mentioned, the tax is charged on your dividend income.
There is no charge for capital gain.
But I think investing in US will incur double tax?
I read it somewhere that we'll be taxed there, and if our money comes back to Malaysia, we'll be taxed again.
I forgot which article it is from