IB Canada: Not so Cheap

[Jim Santosez]

I've been looking for a discount broker that I can use to trade Canadian Options and was very surprised to see that IB Canada isn't as cheap as I thought. I trade about 50 contracts on average. Here is a table of discount brokers and their corresponding commission for 50 contracts:


1 Questrade $42.45
2 TD Waterhouse $62.50
3 DISNAT $62.50
4 Scotia Itrade $67.49
5 Action Direct $69.45
6 CIBC Investors Edge $69.45
7 Qtrade $69.45
8 Credential Direct $71.38
9 BMO InvestorLine $72.45
10 National Bank Discount $72.45
11 Interactive Brokers $75.00


All the Big Bank rip off joints have better rates than IB. What gives?

I've been told that IB won't negotiate rates so I really don't know why anyone would want to pay more.

Am I missing anything?

 

[OTM-Options]

I've been looking for a discount broker that I can use to trade Canadian Options and was very surprised to see that IB Canada isn't as cheap as I thought. I trade about 50 contracts on average. Here is a table of discount brokers and their corresponding commission for 50 contracts:


1 Questrade $42.45
2 TD Waterhouse $62.50
3 DISNAT $62.50
4 Scotia Itrade $67.49
5 Action Direct $69.45
6 CIBC Investors Edge $69.45
7 Qtrade $69.45
8 Credential Direct $71.38
9 BMO InvestorLine $72.45
10 National Bank Discount $72.45
11 Interactive Brokers $75.00


All the Big Bank rip off joints have better rates than IB. What gives?

I've been told that IB won't negotiate rates so I really don't know why anyone would want to pay more.

Am I missing anything?

With BMO Investorline the maximum commission is $35.00 if the order is under $2,000

 

[Jones75]

I've been looking for a discount broker that I can use to trade Canadian Options and was very surprised to see that IB Canada isn't as cheap as I thought. I trade about 50 contracts on average. Here is a table of discount brokers and their corresponding commission for 50 contracts:


1 Questrade $42.45
2 TD Waterhouse $62.50
3 DISNAT $62.50
4 Scotia Itrade $67.49
5 Action Direct $69.45
6 CIBC Investors Edge $69.45
7 Qtrade $69.45
8 Credential Direct $71.38
9 BMO InvestorLine $72.45
10 National Bank Discount $72.45
11 Interactive Brokers $75.00


All the Big Bank rip off joints have better rates than IB. What gives?

I've been told that IB won't negotiate rates so I really don't know why anyone would want to pay more.

Am I missing anything?

Jim,
If you find a broker that charts the "lowest implied /historical volatility" for the TMX as IB does for the U.S. markets, please let me know.

O, btw I use Action Direct for trades only, most of my research / analysis is done elsewhere. Their menu is easy to read, however very basic.

cheers!