| 16 March 2010

TD Ameritade (AMTD) checked in today with February monthly metrics and they all but mirrored the performance we saw from Schwab (SCHW) on Friday. Trading activity fell 18 percent as compared to January while total client assets increased three percent. (Schwab dropped DARTs by 14% versus January and gained 2% in assets.)

In related news, the firm's recently acquired thinkorswim unit was once again named the best online broker in Barron's annual survey. "This tremendous honor from Barron's speaks to the value that we offer to retail investors, whether you are a sophisticated trader or this is your first-time in the markets," said Fred Tomczyk, President and CEO of TD AMERITRADE.

Chief Financial Officer Bill Gerber commented on the company's February results and suggested that first-quarter earnings are likely to look much like the firm's fourth quarter results. "So far this quarter, we have continued to see low intra-day volatility and interest rates that have remained at near-zero levels. Consequently, March quarter earnings are shaping up much like the December quarter," he said.

We expect to hear from optionsXpress Holdings (OXPS) any day now.