Learn More

Trade Execution Speed

How Long Does It Take to Execute a Trade? 0.3 Seconds*

Trade execution speed, or how quickly an order moves from initiation to completion in the marketplace, is an important component of overall execution quality and can be a key variable in successful trading. At Scottrade, we understand how high the stakes can be, which is why we help support fast trading by employing a regular and rigorous review of market center performance.

What Is Trade Execution Speed?

Trade execution speed is measured from the time Scottrade routes your order to the marketplace until the time your order is executed at the trading center. Trade execution speed does not include the time it takes for the order to be reported back to Scottrade and be displayed to you in the "Today's Completed Orders" section of the Scottrade Trading Website or another Scottrade online trading tool.

_{Trade execution statistics are provided by Thomson Transaction Analytics, which is not affiliated with Scottrade. Statistics are based on trades in NASDAQ 100 and S&P 500 stocks for market orders of 100 to 499 shares in size. Statistics exclude trades outside of the regular trading session, orders received during locked or crossed markets and trades that, in Scottrade's discretion, occur in extreme market conditions or other unusual circumstances. Market volatility, volume, and system availability may impact trade execution quality. This information is updated monthly with the average trade execution speed calculated using a 12 month rolling average. You will always receive the price at which your order was executed at the trading center even though the execution report that Scottrade receives may be delayed (or “late”) from the trading center. A “late report” refers to when a timely execution is not received from a trading center.}

_{Scottrade monitors the execution quality of all the trading centers to assess whether the trading center is providing our customers best execution*. Scottrade uses various monitoring methods. These methods include a daily order-by-order exception report analysis. They also include a post trade date regular and rigorous review of execution quality. We perform this regular and rigorous review by analyzing statistics from Thomson Transaction Analytics and by reviewing the output of our patented algorithm, the Scottrade Best-Execution Index or SBI™.}

_{* defined in SEC rule 605}

Call Us At (800) 619-7283
Email Customer Support
Login and Trade
500+ Local Branches

Authorized account login and access indicates customer’s consent to the Brokerage Account Agreement. Such consent is effective at all times when using this site.
Unauthorized access is prohibited.

Scottrade, Inc. and Scottrade Bank are separate but affiliated companies and are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Scottrade Financial Services, Inc. Brokerage products and services offered by Scottrade, Inc. - Member FINRA and SIPC. Deposit products and services offered by Scottrade Bank, Member FDIC.

Brokerage Products Not FDIC-Insured - Not Bank Guaranteed - May Lose Value.

Online market and limit stock trades are just $7 for stocks priced $1 and above.

Scottrade does not charge setup, termination, inactivity or annual maintenance fees. Applicable transaction fees still apply.

Scottrade does not provide tax advice. The material provided is for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax, or legal, advisor for questions concerning your personal tax or financial situation.

Select investments are commission free to those using Scottrade's online platforms. Other fees and charges may apply.

Any specific securities, or types of securities, used as examples are for demonstration purposes only. None of the information provided should be considered a recommendation or solicitation to invest in, or liquidate, a particular security or type of security.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of a mutual fund carefully before investing. A mutual fund's prospectus contains this and other information about the mutual fund. Prospectuses are available through our website or through a Scottrade branch office. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. No transaction fee (NTF) funds are subject to the terms and conditions of the NTF funds program. Scottrade is compensated by the funds participating in the NTF program through recordkeeping, shareholder, or SEC 12b-1 fees.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, charges, expense, and unique risk profile of an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) carefully before investing. Leveraged and Inverse ETFs may not be suitable for long-term investors and may increase exposure to volatility through the use of leverage, short sales of securities, derivatives and other complex investment strategies. A prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF and should be obtained from the issuer. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

Focus™ Morningstar ETFs are commission free for those using Scottrade’s online platforms. Investors not affiliated with Scottrade are subject to commission costs. FocusShares, LLC, is a registered investment advisor (RIA), exchange-traded funds (ETF) sponsor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottrade Financial Services, Inc.

Morningstar is a service mark of Morningstar, Inc. and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by FocusShares, LLC (an affiliate of Scottrade, Inc.). The Focus™ Morningstar ETFs are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar, and Morningstar makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in Focus™ Morningstar ETFs.

Margin trading involves interest charges and risks, including the potential to lose more than deposited or the need to deposit additional collateral in a falling market. The Margin Disclosure Statement and Agreement (PDF) is available for download, or it is available at one of our branch offices. It contains information on our lending policies, interest charges, and the risks associated with margin accounts.

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Detailed information on our policies and the risks associated with options can be found in the Scottrade Options Application and Agreement, Brokerage Account Agreement, and by downloading the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options and Supplements (PDF) from The Options Clearing Corporation, or by requesting a copy from a Scottrade branch office. Supporting documentation for any claims will be supplied upon request.

Market volatility, volume, and system availability may impact account access and trade execution.

Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients and are no guarantee of future performance or success.

Scottrade®, the Scottrade® logo, and Focus™ are the registered and unregistered trademarks of Scottrade, Inc. and its affiliates.

© 2012 Scottrade, Inc. All rights reserved.