Brokers/Front End for Pairs Trading

[electroniclocal 10]

I'm looking for a front end that can place two simultaneous orders as a spread in Stocks, ETFs, options.

 

The only one that I have found so far is Think or Swim. Are there any others with this functionality?

 

TIA

 

EL

[John Bradford 10]

I believe that most brokers can do spread trades, you just have to look in the right place. You're right thinkorswim can do it, but it's more obvious there, since they specialize in options and assume that everyone wants to do spread trades.

 

If you go to Schwab, for example, you have to apply for "Options Level 2" to be able to trade option spreads. Once you get that approval, I would recommend downloading their StreetSmart Pro software to trade rather than doing their web site for spreads.

 

I'm sure ETrade can do spreads, but again, you might have to apply for approval to do it and also download their advanced trading platform.

 

OptionsXpress is another one to consider; I've traded spreads with them as well. They assume you'll be doing spreads, so they make it easy.

 

John