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Stocks

Trade stocks with ease and no hidden fees at Vanguard.

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What are stocks?

Stocks represent part ownership in a corporation. Each share of stock is a proportional stake in the corporation's assets and profits. Depending on the company, your investment value changes through fluctuation in share price or dividend payments.

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Investing in stocks at Vanguard means ...

$0

No commisions

Save for a goal, like a house or tuition. Or consider bonds if you're looking for fixed income in retirement.

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14.62%

Low E/Q1

We're constantly working to give you the best price on trades with a low effective over quoted spread (E/Q).

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Understand where your orders go

Effective over quoted spread (E/Q)

E/Q is the industry measurement for trade quality: the lower the percentage, the better. 

This calculation compares an execution price to the quote. The quoted spread refers to the difference between the bid and ask prices. The effective spread is calculated by comparing the execution price to the midpoint of the National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO).

Vanguard Brokerage Services works with several trading partners to execute orders placed with us. We follow “best execution” practices so that you can get the best price for your order to buy or sell.

Here's how it works: When you place a brokerage order with us, your order makes a round trip—from you to the market and back to you. We route your order to one of our market centers, and we strive to get you the "best execution" price in a timely fashion by following these practices:

  • Market center reviews. We rigorously review market centers for their system availability, service quality, and financial and regulatory standing.
  • Execution quality. We evaluate the quality of how the market centers execute in one or more market segments. We consider various factors such as price improvement and overall effective price compared with the NBBO.
  • Price improvement. When possible, orders are executed at a better price than the prevailing NBBO—better than the best bid for sell orders and better than the best offer for buy orders.

$0

No account minimums

There are no account minimums to buy stocks in your Vanguard Brokerage Account.

Learn more about settlement funds

Investing in stocks at Vanguard means ...

$0

No commissions

Save for a goal, like a house or tuition. Or consider bonds if you're looking for fixed income in retirement.

See our fees & commissions

14.62%

Low E/Q1

We're constantly working to give you the best price on trades with a low effective over quoted spread (E/Q).

See how brokerage is built for you

Understand where your orders go

Effective over quoted spread (E/Q)

E/Q is the industry measurement for trade quality: the lower the percentage, the better. 

This calculation compares an execution price to the quote. The quoted spread refers to the difference between the bid and ask prices. The effective spread is calculated by comparing the execution price to the midpoint of the National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO).

Vanguard Brokerage Services works with several trading partners to execute orders placed with us. We follow “best execution” practices so that you can get the best price for your order to buy or sell.

Here's how it works: When you place a brokerage order with us, your order makes a round trip—from you to the market and back to you. We route your order to one of our market centers, and we strive to get you the "best execution" price in a timely fashion by following these practices:

  • Market center reviews. We rigorously review market centers for their system availability, service quality, and financial and regulatory standing.
  • Execution quality. We evaluate the quality of how the market centers execute in one or more market segments. We consider various factors such as price improvement and overall effective price compared with the NBBO.
  • Price improvement. When possible, orders are executed at a better price than the prevailing NBBO—better than the best bid for sell orders and better than the best offer for buy orders.

$0

No account minimums

There are no account minimums to buy stocks in your Vanguard Brokerage Account.

Learn more about settlement funds

Invest in hundreds of stocks with just one ETF

Diversify your portfolio without worrying about investing in and managing multiple individual stocks. You can choose from a variety of Vanguard stock funds or other individual stocks of your choice.

Check out Vanguard ETFs

Benefits of investing in stocks

Benefits of investing in stocks

Potential for higher returns

Stocks have historically provided higher returns compared to other investment options; however, you’ll want to keep in mind that higher reward can have higher risk.

Ownership and dividends

When you invest in stocks, you become a partial owner of the company and could receive dividends.

Flexibility

You can choose from a wide range of stocks that align to your financial goals and personal preferences.

How to buy stocks at Vanguard

How to buy stocks at Vanguard

Open an account now

Learn about different stock order types

Want to learn more about stocks?

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Stock trading strategies for experienced investors

In addition to commission-free online stock trading and high-quality trade execution, you can invest using sophisticated trading techniques.

Stock trading strategies for experienced investors

In addition to commission-free online stock trading and high-quality trade execution, you can invest using sophisticated trading techniques.

Trade on margin

Want to borrow the cash or securities you need to complete a trade or short sale?

Buy & sell options

Options are complex investments that involve a high degree of risk, so they're best suited for experienced investors.2

Learn more about options trading

Compound your earnings

A no-fee, no-commission reinvestment program that allows you to reinvest dividends and/or capital gains distributions.

Learn more about dividend reinvestment

Other investing resources

Investing on your own?

Check out key information you can use as you begin your DIY investing journey.

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1For market orders on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index sizes 100–499 for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2022.

2Options are a leveraged investment and aren't suitable for every investor. Options involve risk, including the possibility that you could lose more money than you invest. Before buying or selling options, you must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options issued by OCC. A copy of this booklet is available at theocc.com. It may also be obtained from your broker, any exchange on which options are traded, or by contacting OCC at 125 S. Franklin Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606 (855-808-6466 or 888-OPTIONS). The booklet contains information on options issued by OCC. It's intended for educational purposes. No statement in the booklet should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell a security or to provide investment advice. Call The Options Industry Council (OIC) helpline at 888-OPTIONS or visit optionseducation.org for more information. The OIC can provide you with balanced options education and tools to assist you with your options questions and trading.

For more information about Vanguard funds or ETFs, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

You must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares through Vanguard Brokerage Services (we offer them commission-free online) or through another broker (who may charge commissions). See the Vanguard Brokerage Services Commission and Fee Schedules for limits. Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable directly with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. ETFs are subject to market volatility. When buying or selling an ETF, you will pay or receive the current market price, which may be more or less than net asset value.

Vanguard's advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc. ("VAI"), a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company ("VNTC"), a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company.

The services provided to clients will vary based upon the service selected, including management, fees, eligibility, and access to an advisor. Find VAI's Form CRS and each program's advisory brochure here for an overview.

VAI and VNTC are subsidiaries of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and affiliates of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Neither VAI, VNTC, nor its affiliates guarantee profits or protection from losses.