Chad
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Investing in "individual" stocks takes a lot of knowledge and practice; so I would not suggest doing this until you understand completely how the stock markets work.
Vanguard.com is ideal for long term investors who want to learn about mutual funds, index funds, and exchange-traded-funds (ETFs). Trading funds is less risky than trying to trade "individual" stocks.
Unless you plan on spending everyday of your life looking at stock charts trying to determine the best time to get in and out of "individual" stocks, I would look into some sort of fund.
Also be very careful about asking for stock tips online. Most are probably worthless or contain unethical motives. Do not fall for any Pump-and-Dump scams.
As far as books go, I actually started out with the Investing for Dummies books, and they definitely pushed me in the right direction. To many other books have their own agendas in my opinion.
The websites below all contain plenty of FREE information to get you started in the right direction. |
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scottrc5391
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Getting "in" is simple: open an online brokerage account somewhere and start buying and selling stocks.
Of course success in the market is not quite so simple. Unless you really want to devote countless hours and lots of work to finding good companies, I suggest you spend your time doing something else and leave the investing to the mutual fund managers... or invest in an index fund or ETF like SPY. |
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meandnadine
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Vanguard, Fidelity and T. Rowe Price are all really good mutual fund companies.
Check them out. |
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Max B
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You need to open a brokage account. I'm guessing you want to do it online. Look at companies like Etrade, Ameritrade, Scott Trade, places like that. A brokage account is like a bank account. You'll mail a check or wire transfer money into this newly opened account. With this cash you'll then be able to buy and sell stocks. It's that easy.
I bought a lot of Disney stock just after 911 when it was selling for $15/share and now it's at $33/share. It's real exciting to buy and sell stocks. I would stay away from watching the financial news show on cable though they can get you all excited, that's how I lost $1000 dollars on Worldcom. I would advise you to invest in companies you like and buy from. Say you like Nike shoes and all your friends wear the same shoes, buy Nike, you get the idea. Start slow and read a lot!!! |
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thersfund
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If you are looking to invest directly through individual stocks here are my recommendations:
1. Pick up a Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, or Smart Money. Start watching CNBC and Bloomberg. This will help you to realize what is happening in the financial markets. This will allow you to pick sectors that are performing well.
2. When you have narrowed your search down to a few sectors. Read about the sectors. Find out how they operate, outlook for sector. How the sector reacts the business cycle. Then, find the big players in the sector.
3. When you think you have found the major companies in the sector. Download their most recent annual report, quarterly report, and listen to the latest conference call. Read these! Find out how they operate, make money, what they are expecting going forward, and risks to their business
4. Then to decide whether to buy. Download some analyst reports from your broker if they are available. This will tell you, what the street is looking for. This will also introduce you to some valuation and give some outlook for the stock.
-theRSfund
http://www.thersfund.com |
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fredrick z
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Mutual funds dilute risk but they also dilute profit.
Look at companies that make goods or provide services you know something about.
Look at what market segment they are in. Are they in high -tech, energy, retailing? Whatever market segment excites you, that's where you want to be.
Don't necessarily buy the company you like in that segment look at the company or companies that lead that market segment.
Oh yeah, one other thing. Every paycheck hold a few dollars aside (even if its just $10.00) to put into you stock portfolio
If I would have put $1000 into a sock called Berkshire Hathaway in 1955 it would be worth $30 million dollars today!
The market will always beat inflation and any other thing you can think of.
Great question. Don't be afraid to just jump in and DO it. |
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Michael M
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slowly
lots of resarch
read all the papers and options available
read books
then watch stocks for a year or so
watch the cable tv stations. |
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The Scorpion
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Call Smith Barney, get an advisor, and start a Roth IRA with regular contributions each month. He will probably recommend mutual funds. A beginner is better off not being in individual stocks, it's too risky and not necessary. Mutual funds are just conglomerations of stocks and bonds and far less at risk. Monitor the progress and if it isn't doing well, switch to another mutual fund. |
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Leo F
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The stock market is no place for a beginner. Do you even know how to place an order? Do you know what long is or short is or margin, placing a stop order if you don't then you better find out before you put your money into buying stocks. There are a lot of good companies out there seek them out. |
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♥♣♥
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thanks for the 2 points! |
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