According to a survey released today by the online broker dealer TradeKing, active traders are increasingly adopting Web 2.0 style social networking tools like blogs and podcasts to do research.

3,000 U.S. equity and options traders were surveyed between July 17th and July 20th via email. 36 percent of options traders and 24 percent of equity traders say that they read blogs daily or weekly. Some own and contribute to blogs, which is rising in popularity, as well.

This latest survey was conducted in-house, and TradeKing emailed 3,000 clients; there is a 95 percent confidence level, and the survey results were segmented into two distinct categories, “options only” traders and “equities only” traders.

Among other notable findings, podcasts are emerging as a popular educational tool, with 25 percent of options traders and 17 percent of equity traders saying that they listen to podcasts on a daily or weekly basis. TradeKing also reports that “while more traditional forms of online community, such as message boards, remain popular, with about one-quarter of options and equity traders reading them daily or weekly, the number of participants in user groups appears to be dropping.”

Respondents to the survey say that they view oil prices and alternative energy as the top potential trade triggers–more than 90 percent of options traders and 80 percent of equity traders considered oil prices and alternative energy a “potential trade trigger” or a trend worth “monitoring actively”. During TradeKing’s April 2007 survey, “interest rate changes” edged out “evidence of inflation” as the number two and three investor concerns among respondents.

TradeKing is a nationally licensed online broker dealer that offers simple, low flat fees ($4.95 per trade plus $.65 per option contract. The TradeKing internet-based platform features powerful online equity, options and fixed-income trading tools including real-time portfolio information, advanced order entry, customized charting and alerts, free research and integrated news, stock, option and mutual fund screeners, volatility charts, a pricing probability calculator, enhanced option chains and interactive educational information.