Yes flat rate brokers exist for 4/5 dollars a trade up to x shares.scataphagos, thanks for the reply. It makes sense.
I also have a question. I have heard that IB has one of the cheapest commissions. If you have an algo that makes lots of trades, even that $0.005 per share commission adds up and makes a big amount. Are there brokers that charge you a fixed monthly with unlimited trades?
The concept of "no commissions" is a marketing gimmick.
Everyone in business has overhead expenses and needs to make $$ somehow. If they offer "no commission", then they likely make theirs by a "larger than market spread" which they charge you.
Your "cost" to trade is not just "commission"... it's commission + slippage/spread.
As a general rule... the actual trading costs with a "no commission" broker are greater than others because their spread is so high/wide.
it is the original question with a twist. it is typical of beginners not to ask how efficiently are my orders executed.scataphagos, thanks for the reply. It makes sense.
I also have a question. I have heard that IB has one of the cheapest commissions. If you have an algo that makes lots of trades, even that $0.005 per share commission adds up and makes a big amount. Are there brokers that charge you a fixed monthly with unlimited trades?
Sure, that's exactly what I want to find out. The problem is easy. There is an algo that makes many trades for small profits in backtests. The objective is to:
1- make sure the execution of the trades is as close to the backtests as possible.
2- minimize the cost of high number of trades.
Any information of these subjects will be very helpful.