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What is Stock Trading? What is Direct Access Trading?

Direct Access Trading and trading via the internet are actually two different forms of trading stocks (or other types of investment vehicles). While trading via the internet has empowered the individual to take a much greater role in his or her own investment strategy, direct access trading goes one step further! With the advent of legislative changes in the stock market industry over the last 15 years, direct access trading has become a viable and profitable form of trading by eliminating the middle man - you are connected directly to the markets!

The following chart shows the differences between trading via the internet and direct access trading.


Internet Trading vs. Direct Access Trading

Trading System Features

Online Trading
via the Internet

Direct Access Trading

Direct access to the markets. You're directing your own order flow live on the markets.

Limited availability

Direct point-and-click access to the major ECNs (Island, Instinet, and Bloomberg’s Trade Book) These ECNs make up 80% of all NASDAQ ECN volume and over 32% of NASDAQ's volume.

Not available

Automatic Execution, no waiting for a response from the “other side”.

Not available

Minimum system log jams during market volatility because you are live on the market and have access to a private network (not on the Internet).

Not available

The ability to get in and out of a position within seconds, thus taking advantage of rapid changes in Market Maker quotes or price imbalances among the ECNs and NASDAQ.

Not available

The ability to trade with highly skilled colleagues, share information and trade in a team environment at home or on the floor.

Not available

NQDS (NASDAQ Quotation Dissemination Service). NQDS provides the fastest NASDAQ quote data in the industry. This feed is directly from NASDAQ, not a third-party vendor.

Not available

Use of various DAT proprietary software - the most advanced self order routing and execution platforms in the industry. Software gets faster,cleaner, and better with new updated versions.

Not available


One of the greatest advantages of trading is the ability to go "short" in the market.

Unfortunately, it is a very difficult process for the investor or even the online trader. However, direct access traders can take advantage of the "other" side of the market very easily. With the transparency of Level II (see image below), the speed of DAT and a good education, you can sell short and make money in a market that moves twice as fast as those waiting for a "long" position to develop.



Level II Screen


We think you'll agree that direct access trading provides you an incredible advantage when it comes to trading!


Please join us for one of our FREE Power Trading Workshops that goes into further depth about direct access trading, market makers, NASDAQ level II screens and all of the advantages inherent in this type of trading!

Click here for online enrollment!

Testimonials

“If you're serious about taking control of your money. If you're jaded by organizations that are obviously in the business of trying to take your money, if you want a legitimate primer on how you can see what your money could be doing, then call Online Trading Academy. They're the real deal.”

Randy S., June 2006

“I developed my own trading methodology over a period of about 5 months after finishing the course last May. I began to be profitable on a very consistent basis about six weeks ago...only one red day and all the rest green since. The Online Trading Academy instructors warned the class over and over not to immediately jump into large or over-leveraged positions lest you end up as food for the pig-men on Wall Street (trading desks at Goldman, Lehman, Bear Stearns, et al). Take the course, learn to trade well with small risks, make money every day, and only then can you call yourself a true trading pro.”

Paul M., October 2006

Trading Testimonial

Online Trading Academy Grad and Master Trader Rob McNabb (left) with October 2003 Online Trading Academy grad Jim Lucas (right). Jim has started trading and in his first month, Jim made $2300, using small share size, with no losing days.

"A year ago this month, after attending several preliminary presentations from a number of companies, I chose to attend Online Trading Academy. The choice was not a difficult one. Whereas the other presentations consisted mainly of sales gimmicks supplemented by self-praise, Online Trading Academy's presentation got immediately to the point, informing me of what I could expect to learn, with pertinent examples of the content, carefully explained in a businesslike but friendly manner. The course itself exceeded my highest expectations. I was given a printed outline of all of the material to be covered each day. Not only was the material completely covered, but it was done so with seemingly infinite patience on the part of the instructors. No question was left unanswered, no matter how long it took.; the instructors often staying beyond the scheduled closing time to be certain that every pupil understood . Finally, I have re-attended the same class several times in the past year absolutely free--not at half price, nor as a special promotion--but absolutely free of additional charge. Each time I learned something new. I would unequivocally recommend Online Trading Academy to anyone who is serious about trading."

Ronald M., July 2003

"The information given to us about the market was invaluable. I learned many ways to make money that I didn't even know existed. The platform is the best. It will be helpful and worth the money for the class no matter what I intend to do with my accounts."

M.C., July 2003