New Roth IRA - which broker?

[permitivity]

Hi,
I'm going to start a Roth IRA - and I was hoping to get some brokerage advice.

This has been discussed in several other threads too - but I thought maybe someone would have updated info?

I'm mostly just looking to put money into an index fund, and spread it out across international and US indexes. I've signed up (but haven't funded) an account in eTrade and TD_Ameritrade...but will consider others. I want to just put money in, invest, and kinda just let it sit.

Anyone have any advice on which broker to use, or which to avoid?

Thank You!

[jIM_Ohio]

I like T Rowe Price... if all you want are Index funds, Look at Vanguard (lots of index funds) or Fidelity (cheapest index funds).

[th_tan]

I've heard alot of good comments on Vanguard, I would try them 1st.

[disneysteve]

I agree with the others. The industry leaders, particularly for index funds, are Vanguard and Fidelity. T. Rowe Price is also excellent, particularly their targeted retirement funds.

I wouldn't use a brokerage at all unless you are planning on dealing in individual stocks.

[Ima saver]

I agree, you can handle it yourself and probably do a better job.

[project15]

I'm with Vanguard and have been completely satisfied. I like that I can schedule automatic payments and also contribute money online rather than sending a paper request to them and waiting for it to process. Very low fees as well.

[Ima saver]

I have been with vanguard for over 15 years and am very happy with them.

[permitivity]

Thanks for the info.

For those who use Vanguard...

I'm 25 years old. I'd like to invest 4K/year into the Roth. Can you suggest a few low fee no load index funds? I'm looking at them, but have no idea what the differences are.

I guess I'd like to invest 50% of my money in international (Asia) stocks, and maybe 25% in Europe and 25% in US. Any suggestions on a few index funds for these areas? I'm not really sure what type of bussinesses...

Thank you.

[kv968]

Thanks for the info.

For those who use Vanguard...

I'm 25 years old. I'd like to invest 4K/year into the Roth. Can you suggest a few low fee no load index funds? I'm looking at them, but have no idea what the differences are.

I guess I'd like to invest 50% of my money in international (Asia) stocks, and maybe 25% in Europe and 25% in US. Any suggestions on a few index funds for these areas? I'm not really sure what type of bussinesses...

Thank you.

Since you're young, you have the opportunity to be aggressive in your investing but having that much int'l (especially Asian) exposure may be a little too much IMO. I'd go at least 60% US and then the rest int'l and possibly some REIT's at some point.

Vanguard's Total Int'l Stock Index has a nice blend of Europe/Pacific/Emerging Markets all in one fund. The Total Stock Market Index also has a good blend for the US market. You could also go with one of their Target Retirement Funds and get some instant diversification but you won't get a real high int'l exposure with them. Although you could add other funds later on to adjust the percentages.

Here's a list of their index funds:

Vanguard Index Funds