What is Broker?
Quick Answer
A broker is a licensed intermediary that executes buy and sell orders for financial instruments on behalf of clients.
" A broker is the middleman between you and the market. They used to charge you $25 per trade for the privilege. Now many are 'free' — which means you're probably the product. Whether they make money on your order flow, currency conversion, or just hoping you trade more often, someone is always getting paid. It's just not always obvious who. "
BORING DEFINITION
A broker is a licensed intermediary that executes buy and sell orders for financial instruments on behalf of clients. In investing, an online broker is the platform through which individuals access stock markets, buy shares, ETFs, and other securities. Modern online brokers have democratized investing by offering low or zero-commission trading.
How Does Broker Work?
A broker receives your order, routes it to a stock exchange or alternative trading venue, and confirms execution. They must be licensed and regulated. Online brokers make money through spreads, currency conversion fees, margin interest, or payment for order flow. Regulation varies by country.
Why it matters: Without a broker, retail investors can't directly access stock exchanges. Choosing the right broker affects your costs, available markets, security of funds, and the quality of trade execution.
REAL WORLD EXAMPLE
> Tomáš wants to buy shares of AMD. He opens an account with an online broker, deposits funds, searches for AMD, and places a buy order. The broker executes the trade on the stock exchange on his behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broker
What is a broker in investing? +
How do online brokers make money if trading is free? +
What online brokers are available in the Czech Republic? +
What is the difference between a broker and a bank? +
Is my money safe with an online broker? +
What should I look for when choosing a broker? +
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