E TRADE

Rojas

1-2 years

Does E TRADE offer fixed or variable spreads, and how are these spreads affected during periods of heightened market volatility or major news events?

WikiFX Reply

Based on my careful review of the available details about E*TRADE, I couldn't find any specific, transparent information about the broker’s forex spread structure—fixed or variable—or how their spreads behave during times of significant market volatility or key news releases. In fact, E*TRADE primarily focuses on equities, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, and futures rather than traditional forex trading. This means that typical concerns about forex spread manipulation, widening, or transparency are less directly relevant, simply because spot forex pairs don’t appear to be actively offered. From my years of trading, I’ve seen that regulated brokers generally disclose whether their spreads are fixed or variable and provide clear disclosures on potential widening during volatile periods. Unfortunately, with E*TRADE’s apparent lack of active regulation and no clear communication regarding spreads, this is a red flag for me. When a broker doesn’t clearly outline these fundamental trading conditions, especially concerning how costs might change in fast-moving markets, I consider that a serious risk for anyone seeking to manage trading expenses or slippage effectively. In summary, for traders interested in forex and seeking transparency in spread conditions, I advise extreme caution with E*TRADE until clarity and proper regulatory oversight are present. For my own trading, I would not proceed without these core details confirmed.

Broker Issues

E TRADE

Fees and Spreads

09-08

United States

schlaepfi

1-2 years

Could you break down the total trading costs involved when trading indices such as the US100 on E TRADE?

WikiFX Reply

As an experienced trader with a focus on transparency and capital preservation, my approach to any broker is to deeply scrutinize all cost components before trading—especially with instruments like indices. However, based on my direct research and the broker’s documentation, E*TRADE does not offer trading in indices such as the US100 (Nasdaq 100), either as CFDs or spot trading products. Their instrument offering centers around stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds, and futures. While futures contracts might offer exposure to indices, it’s crucial to note that E*TRADE’s regulatory standing is highly questionable, with the NFA status being an alleged clone and no currently valid regulation. If a trader were to seek index exposure on E*TRADE—potentially via index ETFs or index futures—the explicit disclosed costs would involve commission fees, such as $1.50 per futures contract. For ETFs, commission-free trading is offered on many, but not all, ETFs. For futures, traders who place fewer than 30 trades per quarter would also face higher per-contract fees on certain instruments. It’s equally important for me, particularly when funds safety is paramount, to factor in non-transparent costs like slippage, overnight margin, and even the genuine risk that an unregulated environment carries in terms of order execution and account security. Ultimately, for trading indices specifically, the lack of clear, regulated index trading options and the absence of valid regulatory oversight means I would avoid E*TRADE for this purpose and recommend extreme caution for anyone considering it.

Broker Issues

E TRADE

Fees and Spreads

09-04

United States

ryad22

1-2 years

How much leverage does E TRADE provide for major forex pairs, and does this amount differ for other types of assets?

WikiFX Reply

As an independent trader with a keen focus on risk management, I have thoroughly researched E*TRADE as a potential broker. Based on my experience and the available facts, E*TRADE does not offer trading in major forex pairs or any forex assets at all. Instead, E*TRADE’s product range is centered on stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds, and futures. This absence of forex trading means leverage specific to major currency pairs is simply not provided by E*TRADE, which is critical for anyone whose strategies depend on the flexibility that leveraged forex markets can offer. For the asset classes E*TRADE does cover—particularly options and futures—the leverage comes in the form of margin requirements and options strategies, which can vary depending on the asset’s inherent risk and the account type. However, since the broker lacks legitimate regulatory oversight and has a suspicious NFA license, I personally would be extremely cautious about engaging in any leveraged trading here, regardless of the asset class. In my judgment, for traders specifically looking for forex trades with tailored leverage options, E*TRADE is unsuitable, and the lack of regulation only elevates that concern. Prioritizing the safety of my capital and my ability to access proper leverage, I believe careful consideration of these risks is essential before choosing any broker, especially one without valid licensing.

Broker Issues

E TRADE

Leverage

Account

Instruments

Platform

09-02

United States

Ashraf Shahhat

1-2 years

Can you highlight the main benefits of E TRADE when it comes to its range of trading products and the way its fees are structured?

WikiFX Reply

From my experience as a trader, evaluating E*TRADE’s platform has shown me that its primary advantage lies in the breadth of investment products it offers. I found that E*TRADE provides access to not just stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, but also options, bonds, and futures. This depth is particularly useful for traders or investors who want to diversify beyond basic equities, even if—importantly—it does not provide access to forex, commodities, indices, or cryptocurrencies. The inclusion of managed portfolios and various account types, such as retirement and small business accounts, means there’s a degree of flexibility for different investment profiles and goals. When it comes to fee structure, what stood out to me is the $0 commission for stock and ETF trades, which is competitive and appeals to active traders and those who prioritize cost efficiency. That said, E*TRADE applies a $0.65 per contract fee for options, which drops to $0.50 for those trading 30+ contracts quarterly—something I appreciate, since lower costs can matter for high-volume strategies. However, futures and mutual fund fees can be higher than some competitors, particularly if trading volume is low. On a cautious note, I have concerns about risk, given E*TRADE’s lack of valid regulatory status and the warning signs I observed regarding its NFA license. For me, these regulatory gaps outweigh many of the functional benefits, because safeguarding my funds is non-negotiable. I believe anyone considering E*TRADE’s product range and fee structure should seriously weigh these risks before proceeding.

Broker Issues

E TRADE

Regulation

08-04

United States