Investment & Trading Education

Discover the world of investing with Scotia iTRADE® - Your trusted partner for online trading and direct investing

Welcome to Scotia iTRADE®

Scotia iTRADE is a leading Canadian online discount brokerage, offering powerful trading platforms, competitive pricing, and comprehensive investment solutions for investors of all experience levels.

Whether you're just starting your investment journey or you're an experienced trader, Scotia iTRADE provides the tools, resources, and support you need to take control of your financial future.

Investment Products & Services

Stocks & Equities

Trade Canadian and US stocks with competitive commissions. Access thousands of companies across major exchanges including TSX, NYSE, and NASDAQ.

  • Canadian equities
  • US equities
  • Real-time quotes
  • Advanced charting tools

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Diversify your portfolio with over 200 commission-free ETFs. Trade a wide range of ETFs covering various sectors, regions, and investment strategies.

  • 200+ commission-free ETFs
  • Sector-specific funds
  • International exposure
  • Low management fees

Mutual Funds

Access thousands of mutual funds from leading fund companies. Build a diversified portfolio with professional management and various investment objectives.

  • Thousands of funds available
  • Professional management
  • Diverse strategies
  • Automatic reinvestment

Options Trading

Execute advanced trading strategies with equity and index options. Hedge your portfolio or generate income through covered calls and other strategies.

  • Equity options
  • Index options
  • Multiple strategies
  • Risk management tools

Fixed Income & Bonds

Invest in government and corporate bonds for steady income. Access a variety of fixed-income securities to balance your portfolio.

  • Government bonds
  • Corporate bonds
  • Guaranteed Investment Certificates
  • Steady income streams

New Issues & IPOs

Participate in new issue offerings and initial public offerings. Get early access to companies going public and new debt securities.

  • IPO opportunities
  • New debt issues
  • Early access
  • Competitive pricing

Account Types

Registered Accounts

  • Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
  • Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
  • Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
  • Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
  • Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA)
  • Life Income Fund (LIF)

Non-Registered Accounts

  • Cash Account
  • Margin Account
  • Short Account
  • US Dollar Account
  • Corporate Account
  • Trust Account

Why Choose Scotia iTRADE?

Competitive Pricing

Trade equities for as low as $4.99 per trade. Enjoy commission-free ETFs and competitive rates across all investment products.

Powerful Platforms

Choose from three professional-grade trading platforms designed for investors of all experience levels, from beginners to active traders.

Research & Tools

Access comprehensive market research, real-time quotes, advanced charting tools, and expert analysis to make informed decisions.

Educational Resources

Enhance your investment knowledge with free webinars, tutorials, market commentary, and learning resources available 24/7.

Security & Protection

Your investments are protected by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) and backed by Scotiabank's trusted security measures.

Mobile Trading

Trade on the go with our award-winning mobile app. Monitor your portfolio, execute trades, and stay informed wherever you are.

Understanding Investment Basics

What is Direct Investing?

Direct investing, also known as self-directed investing, gives you complete control over your investment decisions. Instead of relying on a financial advisor to make trades on your behalf, you research, select, and execute your own trades through an online platform.

Benefits of Direct Investing:

Popular Trading Strategies

Buy and Hold

A long-term investment strategy focused on purchasing quality stocks or funds and holding them for extended periods, regardless of market fluctuations.

Value Investing

Identifying undervalued stocks trading below their intrinsic value. This strategy involves fundamental analysis and patience.

Growth Investing

Focusing on companies with strong growth potential, even if their current valuations seem high. Emphasis on future earnings growth.

Dividend Investing

Building a portfolio of dividend-paying stocks to generate regular income while potentially benefiting from capital appreciation.

Index Investing

Tracking market indices through ETFs or index funds. A passive strategy offering broad market exposure with low fees.

Dollar-Cost Averaging

Investing fixed amounts at regular intervals, regardless of market conditions. Reduces the impact of market volatility.

Risk Management & Portfolio Diversification

Understanding Investment Risk

All investments carry some level of risk. Understanding and managing risk is crucial to successful investing. Diversification across different asset classes, sectors, and geographic regions can help reduce portfolio risk.

Key Risk Management Principles:

Tools & Research Resources

Real-Time Market Data

Access live quotes, market depth, and real-time streaming data for Canadian and US markets.

Advanced Charting

Technical analysis tools with multiple chart types, indicators, and drawing tools for market analysis.

Research Reports

Comprehensive analyst reports, company profiles, financial statements, and earnings estimates.

Market News

Stay informed with real-time market news, economic calendars, and expert market commentary.

Screening Tools

Filter and screen stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds based on your specific investment criteria.

Portfolio Analytics

Track performance, analyze holdings, and monitor your portfolio's risk and return characteristics.

Getting Started with Online Trading

Step 1: Open an Account

Opening a Scotia iTRADE account takes about 15 minutes. You'll need Canadian residency, to be of legal age in your province, a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and valid government-issued photo ID.

Step 2: Fund Your Account

Transfer funds from your bank account to your Scotia iTRADE account. Multiple funding options are available including electronic funds transfer, wire transfer, and cheque deposit.

Step 3: Research & Plan

Use our research tools and educational resources to develop your investment strategy. Consider your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Step 4: Start Trading

Execute your first trade through our user-friendly platforms. Start with small positions as you learn and gradually build your portfolio.

Essential Investment Tips

Start Early

The power of compound returns means that starting early, even with small amounts, can lead to significant wealth accumulation over time.

Invest Regularly

Consistent investing through dollar-cost averaging helps smooth out market volatility and builds discipline.

Stay Informed

Keep up with market news, economic trends, and company developments that may affect your investments.

Think Long-Term

Successful investing requires patience. Avoid emotional decisions based on short-term market movements.

Understand Fees

Be aware of all costs including commissions, management fees, and currency conversion charges that can impact returns.

Review Regularly

Periodically review your portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.

Tax-Advantaged Investing in Canada

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)

Contributions are tax-deductible, and investments grow tax-free until withdrawal. Ideal for retirement savings with immediate tax benefits.

Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

Contributions are not tax-deductible, but all investment growth and withdrawals are tax-free. Flexible for any savings goal.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Save for your child's education with government grants. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals for education are taxed in the student's hands.

Understanding Financial Markets

Stock Markets

  • Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
  • TSX Venture Exchange
  • New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
  • NASDAQ
  • International exchanges

Stock markets facilitate the buying and selling of company shares, providing liquidity and price discovery for publicly traded securities.

Market Indices

  • S&P/TSX Composite Index
  • S&P 500
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average
  • NASDAQ Composite
  • MSCI World Index

Market indices track the performance of specific groups of stocks, providing benchmarks for portfolio performance and market trends.

Core Investment Principles

1. Know Your Goals: Define clear financial objectives - retirement, education, home purchase, or wealth accumulation. Your goals will guide your investment strategy.

2. Assess Your Risk Tolerance: Understand how much volatility you can handle. Conservative investors prefer stable returns, while aggressive investors seek higher growth potential.

3. Diversify Your Portfolio: Spread investments across different asset classes, sectors, and geographic regions to reduce risk.

4. Keep Costs Low: Minimize fees and commissions as they directly impact your returns. Every dollar saved in fees is a dollar that can compound over time.

5. Stay Disciplined: Stick to your investment plan. Avoid making impulsive decisions based on market emotions or short-term noise.

6. Continue Learning: Financial markets evolve. Stay educated about investment strategies, market trends, and economic factors.

Ready to Start Your Investment Journey?

Join thousands of Canadian investors who trust Scotia iTRADE for their online trading needs

Learn More About Scotia iTRADE

About Scotia iTRADE®

Scotia iTRADE® (Order-Execution Only) is a division of Scotia Capital Inc. ("SCI"). SCI is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).

With over 20 years of experience in online discount brokerage services, Scotia iTRADE has helped countless Canadians achieve their financial goals through self-directed investing. We combine the strength and stability of Scotiabank with innovative technology and competitive pricing.

Our commitment is to provide exceptional value through low commissions, advanced trading platforms, comprehensive research tools, and outstanding customer service. Whether you're a first-time investor or an experienced trader, Scotia iTRADE offers the resources and support you need to succeed.