Founded in 1946, Fidelity Investments is one of the largest U.S. brokerage firms with $12.6 trillion in assets and 2.6 million daily trades. It serves more than 40 million investors worldwide and offers a range of services from its headquarters in Boston. Its clients include small-business owners seeking retirement planning options for their employees and investors who want access to a large selection of research reports and financial data.
In addition to offering a low account minimum ($0*), the firm allows users to trade in both traditional and robo-advisor accounts, provides a wide variety of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, and allows customers to link their checking or savings account to their trading account. Its mobile app allows investors to trade from anywhere, and the company also offers a number of education resources for new, intermediate and advanced traders.
The firm has a reputation for providing an excellent experience for investors, and its customer service team is available 24/7 through phone, email and chat. The firm also has a large network of branches where investors can receive advice and learn about investing strategies. Its website provides an extensive array of educational materials for all types of investors, from beginner to advanced, and its learning center uses machine-learning to provide personalized content.
Its investment professionals can help you decide where to put your cash based on your individual situation, needs and time horizon. They can also assist you in developing an asset allocation strategy that diversifies your portfolio among major categories like stocks, bonds and cash.
Fidelity offers a range of funds for every investor, from small-cap growth to high yield dividend stocks. Moreover, it has low fees for index funds, which can reduce your overall expenses. The firm’s low fees are a result of its efficient fund management and the low cost structure of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Before investing, consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds carefully. A prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, contains this and other important information about the funds. Read it carefully before investing.
If you are looking to build a diversified portfolio with a single investment, you might want to try the Fidelity Index Total Stock Market Index Fund. It tracks the entire market, reducing the risk of being overly exposed to any one segment or sector. Its fee schedule is reasonable, too — the fund has no transaction fee and its expense ratio is lower than many ETFs.
Investors should choose the funds that best fit their needs and circumstances, and avoid those with excessive trading commissions or other fees. Fidelity offers a great selection of stocks and ETFs, and its commissions are competitive with the industry average. It also offers a variety of tools, including a screener that lets you compare Fidelity funds with other ETFs and mutual funds. Additionally, it has an innovative program called Stocks by the Slice, which lets you buy fractional shares for as little as $1.
