I see that for a $10K trade the brokers get maybe $2-$2.5 in order flow payments. I am not sure if this is for market orders only or for limit orders as well. Traditional order flow payments were for market orders only, but AFAIU it is done for limit orders nowadays as well.
So - if they don't mind cannibalizing their businesses completely, online brokerages can "race below the bottom" now. Ameritrade offers $0.2 payment per 10K order. E*Trade responds with $0.5. Schwab goes whole hog for $1. And so it goes...
So - if they don't mind cannibalizing their businesses completely, online brokerages can "race below the bottom" now. Ameritrade offers $0.2 payment per 10K order. E*Trade responds with $0.5. Schwab goes whole hog for $1. And so it goes...