MB Trading Review

Broker Review

Likes - Multiple platforms for both web and desktop serve all investor types; no base fees for options traders; offers unique trade tools not found elsewhere.

Dislikes - Website while improved earlier in 2010 still feels outdated; $10 per month fee charged for options accounts if 10 options contracts are not traded.

Bottom Line - Even with its website needing an overhaul MB Trading offers both casual and active investors the tools and platforms they need to succeed alongside very competitive commission rates.


MB Trading is an online broker that provides investors with direct trading access to the NASDAQ, AMEX, NYSE, FOREX, futures, and options markets. Known for MBTX, its proprietary routing system, MB Trading provides users with instant trade executions at low commission rates. They strive to stay on the technological brink with frequent updates and new features for their MBT Desktop system.

Our MB Trading review provides trade platform screenshots, detailed commissions information, and online broker ratings. Also discover how MB Trading placed in the most recent StockBrokers.com 2011 Review of Online Brokers as well as the 2011 Barron’s Review of Online Brokers**.

Commission Notes

Minimum Deposits - MB Trading minimum deposits to open an account vary by account type. For a cash account (stocks, options) the minimum is $1,000, margin accounts (stocks, options, futures) need a $2,000 minimum deposit, and for an IRA account (stocks, options) the minimum is only $500.

Stocks - MB Trading offers two different commissions structures for stocks: a flat rate setup and a tiered offering. Here at StockBrokers.com we utilize the flat-rate commissions structure for listing rates throughout the site. Both offerings and all subsequent fees are broken down below.

Flat-fee trading stock commissions - The MBTR plan offers both market and limit orders at any share price with an unlimited amount of shares for $4.95. Thus, a 100 share purchase of a $50 stock would cost $4.95, and a 8,000 share purchase of a $100 stock would cost $4.95. There are additional fees however for trading during pre (before 9:30 AM EST) and post (after 4:00 PM EST) market hours, or if placing any of the following specialty order types: Reserve, Discretionary, or Pegged. This additional fee is $.005 per share ontop of the base commission rate of $4.95.

Tiered stock commissions - The MBTX plan is designed for more active traders seeking better (professional) executions for their trades. Stock trades placed under this plan are $0.0075 per share with a $4.95 minimum per trade. It should also be noted that the same additional fee of $.005 per share is charged if trading during pre (before 9:30 AM EST) and post (after 4:00 PM EST) market hours, if trading more than 10,000 shares, or if placing any of the following specialty order types: Reserve, Discretionary, or Pegged.

Data feeds & fees - It is important to note that MB Trading does charge a $6 per month data fee waived if a minimum of $25 in commissions are spent in a given month. Also note for clients who opt to have Level II quotes, there is a $10 monthly fee which can be waived if 10 trades are placed each month. A variety of additional advanced data feeds are also available.

Options - All options orders are charged simply $.95 per contract with no minimum or maximum price. The broker does not allow any naked put or call options orders to be sold. There is a $.001 per share fee to exercise options contracts.

Mutual Funds - Mutual funds cost $12.95 per trade and must be phoned in. Mutual Funds currently cannot be traded through any MB Trading platforms.

Other Investments - MB Trading offers both forex and futures trading.

International Trading - MB Trading offers international trading support. For a full list of countries supported please visit the site.

MB Trading was reviewed by StockBrokers.com on 2012-02-27 with an overall rating of 3 Stars.

Trade Platform

MB Trading MBT Mobile iPhone App

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