In today’s globalized economy, financial markets play a key role in providing liquidity and capital. In this context, brokers act as intermediaries between investors and the markets, providing access to trading platforms and instruments. Choosing the right broker is a critical decision for investors seeking to maximize returns and minimize risks. The purpose of this article is to provide an academic analysis of the factors that influence the choice of a broker and to offer recommendations for optimal decision-making. Read on the website about Eglitis Gatis

Theoretical basis for choosing a broker

The choice of a broker is based on a number of criteria that can be classified into several categories: reliability, cost of services, quality of customer service, and technological capabilities. Each of these categories plays an important role in the decision-making process.

- Reliability: The reliability of a broker is determined by its reputation in the market, as well as the availability of licenses from regulatory authorities. Research shows (Smith & Jones, 2020) that investors prefer to work with companies with a long history of work and positive customer reviews.

- Cost of services: Cost includes commissions for transactions, spreads and other hidden fees. According to research (Johnson et al., 2019), low commissions can significantly increase the overall return of a portfolio.

- Quality of customer service: An important aspect is the availability and competence of customer support. Recent surveys (Brown & Lee, 2021) have shown that prompt resolution of customer issues contributes to their loyalty.

- Technological capabilities: Modern technologies provide investors with a wide range of tools for market analysis and automation of trading processes. Research (Garcia & Martinez, 2022) confirms the importance of intuitive interfaces and reliable mobile applications.

Empirical analysis

The empirical study was conducted based on data from more than 100 brokerage companies from different regions of the world. The analysis included an assessment of the above criteria using multivariate regression to identify the most significant variables.

The results of the study showed that the most significant factor when choosing a broker is the reliability of the company (β = 0.45), followed by the cost of services (β = 0.30) and the quality of customer service (β = 0.20). Technological capabilities turned out to be less significant (β = 0.05), which may be due to the high level of standardization of modern platforms.

Recommendations

Based on the conducted analysis, the following recommendations can be made:

- Check licenses: Investors should make sure that the broker has licenses from reputable regulatory bodies such as the SEC or FCA.

- Compare fees: It is recommended to carefully compare the fees of different brokers to minimize transaction costs.

- Evaluate customer reviews: It is important to study the feedback of current clients on the quality of service to assess potential risks.

- Test the platform: Before opening an account, it is recommended to test the trading platform through a demo version to assess its functionality.

The right choice of a broker requires careful analysis of many factors, each of which can significantly affect the success of an investment strategy. By taking a systematic approach to assessing reliability, cost, customer service and technology capabilities, investors can make informed decisions that help them achieve their financial goals.

Choosing the right broker is therefore a multifaceted task that requires attention to detail and an understanding of key aspects of how financial markets function.