Thinkorswim by TD Ameritrade is an electronic trading platform by TD Ameritrade used to trade financial assets. It is geared for self-directed stock, options and futures traders. It was previously offered by ThinkorSwim Group, Inc., which was purchased by TD Ameritrade in 2009.
- Start year: 1999
- Country of origin: United States
- Regulation: FINRA, NFA, SIPC
- Broker Type: DMA/STP
- US Traders: Yes
- Payment options: ACH, Wire Transfer, ACAT Transfer
- Minimum account size: $2000
- Minimum lot size: 0.01 lot
- Leverage: 1:50
- Spreads: 0.01 pips on EUR/USD
TD Ameritrade is one of the larger online brokers in the U.S., so it offers multiple platforms aimed at different levels of expertise. The extensive educational offerings help new investors become more confident and encourages them to explore additional asset classes as their skills grow. For active investors and traders, the thinkorswim platform offers all the data, charting, and tools needed to find market opportunities. The sheer number of tools and research available through TD Ameritrade can be a bit overwhelming.
Advantage
- Stocks long and short (TD Ameritrade does not maintain a traditional easy-to-borrow list. TD states that, at any given time, over 3,000 securities are available for short selling vs. availability in the order management system).
- OTCBB (Penny stocks).
- Mutual funds (over 1,900 no-load, no transaction fee).
- Bonds: Corporate, Municipal, Treasury, and CDs. International fixed income available via a live broker.
- Single leg and multi-leg options.
- Futures and futures options.
- Forex (75 pairs).
- Trades with up to eight legs, comprised of multiple asset classes (stocks, options, futures, and forex); can be designed on thinkorswim.
- Robo-advisory, TD Ameritrade Essential Portfolios, integrated into website and mobile app. Additional advised portfolios available via a financial consultant.
- A variety of international exchanges can be accessed via live broker.
