Best international brokers?

[aster]

I'm new to the forums but I need some advice as I'm finding it exceedingly difficult to find what I'm looking for.

Basically I'm keen on investing in US stocks, and I will be converting my AUS into USD shortly to sleep well at night and be ready for the next time the US markets take a dive.

I would prefer to deal with an Australian-based company as my brokerage house instead of the usual choices like etrade. What are my best options here, given that I will have USD to invest so I will want all my transactions carried out in USD and not AUD (so ZERO currency conversions please)?

I looked at CommSec, but they only seem to offer trades whereby they convert your AUD (which I will no longer have) and it appears that they charge quite a lot for a trade (min. 0.75%???? - wow...). Are there better choices where I could make my transactions in USD and not pay such exorbitant fees, but at the same time deal with an Aussie company?

 

[bailx]

I'm new to the forums but I need some advice as I'm finding it exceedingly difficult to find what I'm looking for.

Basically I'm keen on investing in US stocks, and I will be converting my AUS into USD shortly to sleep well at night and be ready for the next time the US markets take a dive

I looked at CommSec, but they only seem to offer trades whereby they convert your AUD (which I will no longer have) and it appears that they charge quite a lot for a trade (min. 0.75%???? - wow...). Are there better choices where I could make my transactions in USD and not pay such exorbitant fees, but at the same time deal with an Aussie company?

Checks these out?
http://informe.com/go/?domain=stockbrokers.com
http://www.choicetrade.com/public/trading_tools/web_platforms.php

 

[aster]

I mentioned that I would like to deal only with Australian companies/brokers.

 

[Peterstock]

Best international broker

Hi,

I have been reading the forums but can't seem to find a definitive or a consensus answer that is current as to who is the best broker.

I have found that the system used by e-trade Australia is far too slow and does not offer real time changes to purchases to shares on the NYSE as well as other markets.

Before opening an account with another broker can someone provide information on a broker that-

1. Insures accounts in a similar way to e-trade bank accounts.

2. Provides legal ownership of the shares as I want to hold the shares not a custodians if this is possible.

3. Can update my trades in real time

4. Allows me to hold funds in Australian dollars

Aussie stock forum posts seem to have listed the above as some of the most important options when looking for a broker, is there anything that I have missed in this list?

I have contacted e-trade US and Hong Kong and they are unwilling to allow the setup of an international account, other large banks I have been speaking to do not offer the important options I have asked for and IB has not replied to me yet.

Peter.