Have you ever missed a crucial market move or a significant event related to your investments because you weren't constantly glued to your screen? It's a common dilemma for investors and traders alike. The financial markets are dynamic, and staying on top of every fluctuation can be a full-time job. This is where E*TRADE's robust alert system comes in, acting as your personal market watchdog.
Setting up alerts on E*TRADE can transform your investing experience, allowing you to react quickly to opportunities, manage risk effectively, and keep track of your portfolio without constant manual monitoring. Whether you're a seasoned trader or just starting, leveraging these alerts can be a game-changer.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of setting up various types of alerts on E*TRADE, ensuring you're always informed and ready to make timely decisions.
Setting Up Alerts on E*TRADE: Your Comprehensive Guide
E*TRADE offers a versatile alert system across its web platform and mobile app, empowering you to customize notifications based on your specific needs. Let's dive into the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Log In and Navigate to the Alerts Section
First things first, let's get you into your E*TRADE account and to the right place.
On the Web Platform:
Open your web browser and go to the official E*TRADE website (etrade.com).
Click on the "Log On" button, usually located in the top right corner.
Enter your User ID and Password and click "Log On."
Once logged in, look for the "Accounts" or "My Account" tab in the main navigation.
From the dropdown, you'll typically find a link to "Alerts" or "Alerts & Notifications." Alternatively, on some E*TRADE interfaces, you might find a bell icon or "Alerts" in a right-hand sidebar. Click on this to access the Alerts hub.
On the E*TRADE Mobile App:
Open the E*TRADE mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
Enter your User ID and Password (or use biometric login if enabled).
Once logged in, look for the "Menu" icon (often represented by three horizontal lines or "More").
Navigate through the menu to find "Alerts" or "Notifications."
Pro Tip: Familiarize yourself with both the web and mobile interfaces. While the functionality is similar, the layout might differ slightly.
Step 2: Understanding the Types of Alerts Available
E*TRADE provides a wide array of alert types, catering to various aspects of your investing journey. Knowing what's available helps you choose the most relevant notifications for your strategy.
Sub-heading: Price Alerts
These are perhaps the most common and widely used alerts. Price alerts notify you when a security reaches a specific price point, allowing you to capitalize on entry or exit opportunities.
Last Price: Get notified when the last traded price of a stock, ETF, or option reaches, crosses above, or falls below a certain value.
Bid/Ask Price: Useful for options or less liquid securities, these alerts trigger when the bid or ask price hits your specified level.
Sub-heading: Volume Alerts
Volume alerts are crucial for traders who monitor market activity and liquidity.
Volume Threshold: Be alerted when a security's trading volume exceeds or falls below a certain number of shares within a specified period (e.g., daily volume, average daily volume).
Sub-heading: Technical Analysis Alerts
For those who rely on technical indicators, E*TRADE offers sophisticated alerts based on chart patterns and indicator movements.
Moving Average Crossover: Receive notifications when a stock's price crosses above or below a moving average (e.g., 50-day MA, 200-day MA), or when two moving averages cross each other.
Oscillator Levels: Set alerts for when indicators like RSI (Relative Strength Index) or MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) reach overbought or oversold levels, or generate specific signals.
Chart Pattern Recognition: Some advanced platforms might even allow alerts based on the formation of specific chart patterns like head and shoulders, double tops/bottoms, etc. (Check ETRADE's Power ETRADE platform for advanced scanning and recognition tools).
Sub-heading: Account Activity Alerts
These alerts are essential for security and staying informed about your personal account.
Trade Executions: Get a notification every time an order is filled.
Deposits & Withdrawals: Stay updated on money coming in or out of your account.
Cash Balance Changes: Be informed when your cash balance crosses a certain threshold.
Margin Call Alerts: Crucially, receive immediate notifications if your account falls below margin requirements.
Order Status Updates: Track the status of your open orders (e.g., pending, rejected, filled, cancelled).
Sub-heading: News & Research Alerts
Stay informed about company-specific news or broader market developments.
Company News: Receive alerts when breaking news is released for a specific stock you follow.
Analyst Ratings Changes: Get notified when a research analyst upgrades or downgrades a stock.
New Research Reports: Be alerted when new research reports are published for companies in your watchlist or portfolio.
Sub-heading: Dividend & Corporate Action Alerts
Important for income investors and those tracking company events.
Dividend Announcements: Get notified when a company declares a dividend, along with key dates (ex-dividend, record, payment).
Stock Splits/Reverse Splits: Be informed of corporate actions that affect share count and price.
Earnings Announcements: Receive alerts for upcoming earnings release dates.
Step 3: Creating a New Alert (Step-by-Step Example: Price Alert)
Let's walk through the process of setting up a common alert type: a price alert for a stock.
Sub-heading: On the E*TRADE Web Platform
Access the Alerts Hub: As mentioned in Step 1, navigate to the "Alerts" section.
Select "Set & Manage Alerts": Within the Alerts hub, you'll typically find a tab or button labeled "Set & Manage Alerts." Click on it.
Choose Alert Type: You'll see various categories like "Security," "Account Activity," "News & Research," etc. Click on the "Security" tab to set up a price alert.
Enter Symbol: In the "Alert Symbol" text field, type the ticker symbol of the stock you want to track (e.g., AAPL for Apple Inc.).
Define Alert Condition:
Under "Alert On," select "Last Price."
Next, choose your "Operator." This will be a comparison symbol like:
>(Greater than)<(Less than)=(Equal to)>=(Greater than or equal to)<=(Less than or equal to)
In the "Threshold" field, enter the specific price you want the alert to trigger at (e.g., if you want to buy AAPL if it drops to $150, you'd choose
<and enter150.00).
Set Delivery Preferences:
E*TRADE offers various delivery methods:
Email: Enter the email address(es) where you want to receive the alert.
Secure Site Inbox: The alert will appear in your E*TRADE online message center.
Mobile Push Notification: If you have the E*TRADE mobile app installed and push notifications enabled, you'll receive a pop-up alert on your device.
Text Message (SMS): Enter your mobile number to receive text alerts. (Check for any carrier fees associated with SMS alerts).
Select the checkbox next to your preferred delivery method(s).
Review and Create: Carefully review all the details of your alert to ensure accuracy. Once satisfied, click the "Create Alert" or "Save Alert" button.
Sub-heading: On the E*TRADE Mobile App
Access the Alerts Section: As mentioned in Step 1, go to the "Alerts" or "Notifications" section in the app's menu.
Tap "Add Alert" or "+" Icon: Look for an icon (often a plus sign) or a button that says "Add Alert" or "Create New Alert."
Select Alert Type: Choose "Price" or "Security Price" from the options.
Enter Symbol: Type the ticker symbol of the security.
Configure Price Condition:
Select whether you want to track "Last Price," "Bid Price," or "Ask Price."
Choose your desired comparison operator (e.g., Price is less than, Price is greater than).
Enter the specific threshold price.
Set Alert Frequency (if applicable): Some alerts might allow you to choose how often you want to be notified (e.g., Once, Daily, Until triggered).
Choose Notification Method: Select your preferred delivery methods (Push Notification, Email, SMS).
Confirm: Tap "Save" or "Create Alert."
Step 4: Managing Your Existing Alerts
Once you've set up alerts, you'll need to know how to view, modify, or delete them.
Sub-heading: Viewing Current Alerts
In the Alerts Hub on both the web platform and mobile app, there will be a section or tab typically labeled "Current Alerts" or "Active Alerts."
Here, you'll see a list of all the alerts you have set, their conditions, and their status (e.g., pending, triggered, expired).
Sub-heading: Modifying an Alert
Locate the alert you wish to modify in your "Current Alerts" list.
Click or tap on the alert. This will usually open an editing interface where you can adjust the price, volume, or other conditions, and modify delivery preferences.
Remember to save your changes after modification.
Sub-heading: Deleting an Alert
Find the alert you want to remove from your "Current Alerts" list.
There will typically be a "Delete" button or a trashcan icon next to each alert.
Confirm your decision to delete the alert when prompted.
Step 5: Customizing Alert Delivery Preferences
Beyond setting up individual alerts, E*TRADE allows you to manage your global communication preferences.
Navigate to Communication Preferences: On the E*TRADE website, this is often found under your Profile or Settings section, usually within "Account Management." On the mobile app, it might be under "Settings" within the main menu.
Manage Email/SMS Subscriptions: Here, you can control which types of alerts you receive via email or SMS, and for which accounts. You might be able to toggle on/off broad categories of alerts (e.g., all trade confirmations, all news alerts).
Enable/Disable Push Notifications: For mobile users, ensure that push notifications are enabled for the E*TRADE app within your device's operating system settings to receive instant alerts.
Key Consideration: While alerts are incredibly helpful, be mindful of alert fatigue. Setting too many alerts can lead to information overload, causing you to miss truly important notifications. Tailor your alerts to what genuinely impacts your investment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you master E*TRADE alerts:
How to Set Up Price Alerts for Options Contracts on E*TRADE?
To set up price alerts for options, navigate to the "Alerts" section, choose "Security" alert, enter the underlying stock symbol, then specify the option contract details (expiration date, strike price, call/put) before setting your price condition (Last, Bid, or Ask price).
How to Receive E*TRADE Alerts on My Mobile Phone?
Ensure you have the ETRADE mobile app installed and are logged in. When setting up an alert, select "Mobile Push Notification" and/or "Text Message (SMS)" as a delivery method. Also, check your device's notification settings to allow push notifications from the ETRADE app.
How to Manage Multiple Alerts for the Same Stock on E*TRADE?
You can set multiple alerts for the same stock, for instance, a "buy" alert at a lower price and a "sell" alert at a higher price. Simply repeat the alert creation process for the same symbol with different conditions. All active alerts will be listed under "Current Alerts."
How to Stop Receiving Specific E*TRADE Email Alerts?
Go to the "Alerts" or "Alerts & Notifications" section, navigate to "Set & Manage Alerts" or "Current Alerts," find the specific alert, and either uncheck the email delivery option or delete the alert entirely. For general communication preferences, check your "Communication Preferences" in your account settings.
How to Set Up Alerts for News on Specific Companies on E*TRADE?
In the "Alerts" section, look for a category like "News & Research" or "Company News." You can typically enter the ticker symbol of the company and select to be notified when news articles or press releases are published for that company.
How to Get Notified of Dividend Announcements on E*TRADE?
While ETRADE's direct alert system might not have a dedicated "Dividend Announcement" type, you can often find this information through news alerts for specific companies or by checking the corporate actions section within ETRADE's research tools. Some platforms allow alerts for ex-dividend dates.
How to Set Up Alerts for Account Deposits and Withdrawals on E*TRADE?
Navigate to the "Alerts" section, then select the "Account Activity" category. You should find options to set alerts for "Deposits" and "Withdrawals" or "Cash Balance Changes." You can often specify a minimum amount for these alerts.
How to View My Triggered Alerts History on E*TRADE?
E*TRADE typically has an "Inbox" or "History" tab within the "Alerts" section where you can view past alerts that have been triggered. This allows you to review what notifications you've received and when.
How to Adjust the Frequency of E*TRADE Alerts?
For many alerts, E*TRADE allows you to select the frequency of notifications (e.g., Once, Daily, Until Triggered). This option is usually presented during the alert creation process. For general communication preferences, check your overall "Communication Preferences" settings.
How to Set Up Technical Analysis Alerts on ETRADE's Power ETRADE Platform?
On the Power E*TRADE platform, access the "Alerts" menu (often a bell icon in the sidebar). You can set up alerts based on various technical criteria, including price levels, moving average crossovers, and other indicators. Look for options like "Alert On" which will give you choices beyond just "Last Price."
