UK Stock Market Guide - Compare financial sites: Comdirect and Cortal < < < < < < <

About Comdirect

comdirect is Europe's biggest stockbroker and a subsidiary of Commerzbank, a financial group with banking and investment operations across the world.

comdirect ltd, which has operated in the UK since June 2000, is a member of the London Stock Exchange and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Their expertise in online broking has been developed since 1997, when comdirect bank AG launched its internet service in Germany.

comdirect ltd is a pioneer of a fair deal for investors, offering the same flat price of Ł12.50 for online and phone trades. They also take the lead in technological developments and product innovation. They were, for example, the first online broker in the UK to offer limit and stop orders, as well as the first to offer a SIPP Dealing account that gives the investor the flexibility to choose his/her own pension administrator.

Products and Services

Range of investments
With comdirect you can trade in:

UK and international equities

investment trusts

exchange traded funds

over 150 unit trusts from 5 leading providers

gilts

Markets
Invest in all UK CREST-settleable equities (including AIM) and all major European and North American markets, all for the same flat fee.

Dealing online or by phone
Best execution from a range of market makers: 80% of trades better "the touch" or "yellow strip" price - the best prevailing bid and offer quoted on SEAQ (Stock Exchange Automated Quotation), or the best prevailing bid and offer on the Order Book (also known as SETS - Stock Exchange Electronic Trading Service.)

They also offer limit and stop orders at no extra charge. These are constantly monitored and good for up to 90 days.

Investor support
The Market Focus pages offer comprehensive market index information. Drill down through the indices to news and reports on specific companies, and set up advanced charting to monitor key movements in selected stocks. Account holders also get free access to broker research, consensus estimates and directors' dealings.

Visit http://www.comdirect.co.uk/

Stock Brokers > Cortal

About Cortal

Cortal was the first bank in Europe to offer exclusively telephone banking and has since then become the specialist in savings and investment for private investors. Cortal is the leading French online broker with a 33% market share.

Today, Cortal offers its savings and investment services to customers in more than 5 European countries.

Whether you are a financially savvy investor or a beginner wishing a little guidance, with Cortal you will find the right investment device. In the first case they provide you with independent financial information that will help make your investment decisions. In the second case they happily guide you to fully packaged investments.

Why Choose Cortal?

A complete offer of investment and savings products for the private investor
Cortal is a specialist in savings and investment and offers you an extensive product range, where you will find a solution for your investment needs. With Cortal's online brokerage service you can trade on 9 of the most important international stock exchanges throughout Europe and North America. With Cortal's The Funds Shop you can invest in mutual funds, accessing a rigorous selection of almost 100 mutual funds, even those of our competitors. For short term investments, you can choose between a range of fixed term deposit accounts. Today, more than 626,000 customers throughout Europe confirm the success of Cortal's philosophy: to make everything possible and to help you get the most out of your money.

Over 15 years experience
Cortal Bank was founded in 1984 and was the first European bank without counters nor a credit business. Since then, and for over 15 years now, Cortal has been steadily innovating financial services with products like cash management accounts, the first European mutual funds supermarket and the first European online brokerage service giving access to 9 international stock markets.

The security of BNP Paribas Group
Cortal is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas, the second most profitable bank in the euro zone, and therefore benefits from the dynamic and knowledge of a globally represented group. BNP Paribas had a net income of euro 4.12 billion for the year 2000 and is present in more than 85 countries.

Cortal Trading Account

With a Cortal Trading Account you can trade in real-time and total security on 9 international Stock Exchanges.

Your trading screens will contain price information and your current holdings for shares and cash balance available for purchase. An easy to read overview of your account holdings informs you about valuation and account movements, gives you details of your order book and realised profit and loss, all you need to successfully manage your portfolio.

Your personal details as a Cortal client are confidential and completely secured. When you open your Trading Account, you will receive a personal client number and a confidential access code.

The Trading Account can be personalised by using parameters that you can use to customise your account to best suit your needs.

In addition, you can create and manage a virtual portfolio to track stocks, try out new investment strategies and learn about trading and investing.

Visit http://www.e-cortal.com