I'm looking for a stockbroker but can't seem to find one that 'ticks all the right boxes' - can anyone help please?!
The essential requirements are:
- Supports Shares ISA accounts
- Access to ETFs on the LSE, especially iShares
- Real-time price info/trading (with as low latency as possible)
- Low fees/charges (preferably with a heavy discount for say 10+ trades per week)
- Available to individuals, not just institutions
Execution-only is fine, don't need anything fancy. The ISA requirement probably restricts it to UK brokers I guess. There are loads of brokers that do all of the above, so then it comes down to my key additional requirement:
- API access, e.g. FIX (for automated/algorithmic trading)
But I can't find any brokers that have both ISA support and API access. I guess it mustn't be a common requirement for individual investors in the UK but it seems commonly available from US brokers. I can probably live without API access if I really have to. (As long as there's a web interface, which they all seem to do nowadays. And I have no requirement for desktop/mobile trading platform software.)
My 'would really like but can be flexible on' requirements are:
- Existing (open source/cheap) connector for Marketcetera or similar
- Real-time level 2 price info at a reasonable price
- DMA (Direct Market Access) on the LSE at a reasonable price (preferably without a massive 'professional client' process to have to go through)
Then the optional/'nice to have's are:
- Demo/'monopoly money' account for testing
- Ultra low latency pricing/trades
- Can switch into CFDs/spreadbetting
- Also supports SIPPs
So, does anyone know of any brokers that meet some/all these requirements?
The cheapest ones I've found that meet my essential requirements are x-o.co.uk