Taking stock in Net brokerages

In spite of the stock market's drop, online brokerages continue their expansion efforts, with E*Trade unveiling its long-awaited financial hub site and Charles Schwab eyeing Asian markets.

E*Trade launches portal site The firm rolls out its long-awaited "Destination E*Trade" financial portal, in an effort to become the hub for investors online. Online snags in trading overload Equipment failures at Ameritrade and Waterhouse Securities stymie online traders during a day in which the market dropped more than 3 percent. Wall Street ends day under water update U.S. markets plunge, pushed lower by increasing jitters about Russia, Japan, and presidential scandal at home. Schwab diversifies in Asia The brokerage seeks to draw Hong Kong investors to U.S. equities to foster its international growth.