Direct-Access Treats at Mainstream Brokers

While markets this week were roiled like a Jacuzzi run amok, three mainstream online brokers announced new products aimed at helping active traders stay afloat.

Datek Online debuted a trading platform called Datek Direct that allows customers themselves to route orders directly to the market, either to a market maker or an ECN (electronic communications network).

Meanwhile, direct-access broker A.B. Watley said E*Trade(EGRP Quote) soon will begin using its direct-access trading software, which has capabilities similar to Datek's. ...