UK Stock Market Guide - Compare financial sites: Comdirect and Halifax Share Dealing < < < < < < <

About Comdirect

comdirect is Europe's biggest stockbroker and a subsidiary of Commerzbank, a financial group with banking and investment operations across the world.

comdirect ltd, which has operated in the UK since June 2000, is a member of the London Stock Exchange and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Their expertise in online broking has been developed since 1997, when comdirect bank AG launched its internet service in Germany.

comdirect ltd is a pioneer of a fair deal for investors, offering the same flat price of Ł12.50 for online and phone trades. They also take the lead in technological developments and product innovation. They were, for example, the first online broker in the UK to offer limit and stop orders, as well as the first to offer a SIPP Dealing account that gives the investor the flexibility to choose his/her own pension administrator.

Products and Services

Range of investments
With comdirect you can trade in:

UK and international equities

investment trusts

exchange traded funds

over 150 unit trusts from 5 leading providers

gilts

Markets
Invest in all UK CREST-settleable equities (including AIM) and all major European and North American markets, all for the same flat fee.

Dealing online or by phone
Best execution from a range of market makers: 80% of trades better "the touch" or "yellow strip" price - the best prevailing bid and offer quoted on SEAQ (Stock Exchange Automated Quotation), or the best prevailing bid and offer on the Order Book (also known as SETS - Stock Exchange Electronic Trading Service.)

They also offer limit and stop orders at no extra charge. These are constantly monitored and good for up to 90 days.

Investor support
The Market Focus pages offer comprehensive market index information. Drill down through the indices to news and reports on specific companies, and set up advanced charting to monitor key movements in selected stocks. Account holders also get free access to broker research, consensus estimates and directors' dealings.

Visit http://www.comdirect.co.uk/

Stock Brokers > Halifax Share Dealing

Halifax ShareBuilder

Halifax ShareBuilder is their innovative online monthly savings plan. It's easy to use, affordable and fun. There's no set-up charge and the cost to invest is just Ł1.50 per stock.

Share Dealing

Competitive dealing charges

No annual management fee

Nominee account

Self-Select ISA

It works just like a normal share dealing account - you can buy and sell shares in the same way, but the growth and returns are free from capital gains and income tax.

Available as a mini or maxi ISA

Invest a lump sum or regular payments

Competitive dealing charges

Deal online

Nominee account

Tracker Shares

Tracker shares mirror the fortunes of an index of shares, such as the FTSE 100 or S&P 500. They combine the benefits of a fund - instant diversification as your risk is spread across a whole sector - with the benefits of a share, in that they're easy to buy and sell and you receive dividends.

They are good for diversifying into many shares at the same time rather than 'putting all your eggs in one basket'. This can reduce risk. It is unlikely that an index, such as the FTSE 100 will ever fall to nil, whereas company shares can.

Visit http://www.halifax.co.uk/sharedealing