What are the largest brokerage firms in the world?

Here are five of the largest brokerage firms by AUM: With a whopping $10.4 trillion in AUM, Fidelity Investments is a behemoth in the brokerage industry. If the firm were a country, Fidelity would be the third largest in the world by GDP.

Does NerdWallet offer brokerage services?

NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. Brokers serve as intermediaries between investors and exchanges, buying and selling stocks on behalf of clients.

What is a broker and how does it work?

What is a broker? A broker is a person or company authorized to buy and sell stocks or other investments. If you want to buy stocks, you will almost always need a broker — essentially, a middleman — to place those orders on your behalf. These days, many people open a brokerage account with online brokers rather than working with a person.

Are real estate agents brokers?

Some may not instinctively consider real-estate agents to be brokers, but they serve a brokerage role as an intermediary between property owners and buyers. Real-estate agents for luxury properties and offices often operate on a commission basis, so securing high-quality, expensive properties for clients is essential.