Mar 31 2009
Investing with Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab & Co
Fidelity Investments is the place to go for vast variety. The company offers hundreds of different funds, ranging from your basic growth funds to a wide array of sector funds. Some of the company’s funds are no-load; others charge either front-end or back-end sales fees. The company also has a handful of branch offices, where you can go to watch the stock ticker or talk to a representative. Contact details: www.fidelity.com, (800) 544-8888 or (800) 544-6666.
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., once mainly a discount brokerage firm, now also offers a wide array of proprietary mutual funds. The firm continues to provide access to other companies’ funds, as well, through its “OneSource” program. What makes Schwab notable, besides how it lets you do some one-stop shopping—buying your individual stocks, Schwab funds, and outside funds all from one place—is that the company offers some of the lowest investment minimums in the industry. With many of its funds, investors can buy in for as little as $100. Most other fund companies require initial investments that are at least ten times higher. This makes Schwab a great choice for a beginning investor who doesn’t have much cash—yet. Contact details: www.charlesschwab.com, (866) 232-9890.
