how does one get into the stock markets

[ViviTheMage]

I want to invest a couple hundred and play around with stocks...but I am not very knowledgeable about it....some good sites? how does it work, fees and such ?

How do you 'pull out' -- say I bought low (40$) sold high (50$) how long does it usually take to get the money from this? Is there a good site to watch that gives some good 'tips' on which stocks to invest in?

I just want to do this in the free time, so low fees..I probably will only get like 4-6 stocks or something, couple hundred bucks to play with.

 

[tweakmm]

Invest in some good index funds.

"Playing around" with the stock market is never a good idea. :laugh:

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
Invest in some good index funds.

"Playing around" with the stock market is never a good idea. :laugh:

index funds?

 

[brtspears2]

A couple hundred bucks is not enough. You will die on the commission fees on buying and selling.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: brtspears2
A couple hundred bucks is not enough. You will die on the commission fees on buying and selling.

thats what I figured...what are these fees?

commission fees? but I want to do it myself dont need anybody to handle it for me.

hence playing around :-D

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: tweakmm
Invest in some good index funds.

"Playing around" with the stock market is never a good idea. :laugh:

index funds?

I really hate to be condescending(ok, that's a horrible lie) but that exact type of response is why you don't just throw money into the stock market.

 

[Cattlegod]

www.fool.com

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: brtspears2
A couple hundred bucks is not enough. You will die on the commission fees on buying and selling.

thats what I figured...what are these fees?

commission fees? but I want to do it myself dont need anybody to handle it for me.

They don't just let any joe off the street into the pit.

Even if you handle the investments yourself, you still need access to the market.

 

[andy04]

There are some web sites that will give you some virtual cash and with that you can try out your skills... that can be a good begining. They even have tool and articles to help you and suggest you and guide you... google it. I found one on CNN Money once, will try to find it again - will edit my post if i find it...

 

[AUMM]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: brtspears2
A couple hundred bucks is not enough. You will die on the commission fees on buying and selling.

thats what I figured...what are these fees?

commission fees? but I want to do it myself dont need anybody to handle it for me.

hence playing around :-D

anytime u make a trade you will have to go through a brokerage company (Ameritrade etc) they charge you a fee for each buy and sell...there are some discount ones like Sharebuilders I believe, but you really cant do much with a couple hundred...

 

[axelfox]

sharebuilder.com is a good place to start an account.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I will take a look at sharebuilder.com

 

[Engineer]

Zecco has free trades but I have no experience with them.

 

[andy04]

Try These

Virtual Stock Exchange

how the market works

 

[WildHorse]

a) You could practicve on The Virtual Styock Exchange

b) MSN Money has an educational slant.

c) another virtual stock exchange to learn on

d) Morningstar Investing Classroom

e) any brokerage will help you, ScotTrade, Ameritrade,

f) Exchanges help you too, e.g.; NASDAQ Investor Tools has several learning facilities - look at this one for sure

g) New York Stock Exchange Investor Education

h) There are other simiiiilar ressources for options, bonds, etc.

i) You could take a class at your local junior college, just be sure the reacher doesn't hook you into buying his financial planning service on the side.

j) Lots of communities & affinity groups have little investor clubs. Seek one in your area & join...your local linrary may know when/where/who.

 

[WildHorse]

One more to check out:
Investopedia, Inc.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: scott
a) You could practicve on The Virtual Styock Exchange

b) MSN Money has an educational slant.

c) another virtual stock exchange to learn on

d) Morningstar Investing Classroom

e) any brokerage will help you, ScotTrade, Ameritrade,

f) Exchanges help you too, e.g.; NASDAQ Investor Tools has several learning facilities - look at this one for sure

g) New York Stock Exchange Investor Education

h) There are other simiiiilar ressources for options, bonds, etc.

i) You could take a class at your local junior college, just be sure the reacher doesn't hook you into buying his financial planning service on the side.

j) Lots of communities & affinity groups have little investor clubs. Seek one in your area & join...your local linrary may know when/where/who.

I've been messing with the Virtual Stock Exchange for a few months, and it really is a great way to learn. You can create your own private game, and set your own limits, commission fees, etc.

 

[WildHorse]

I've been messing with the Virtual Stock Exchange for a few months, and it really is a great way to learn. You can create your own private game, and set your own limits, commission fees, etc.

So, tk149, how are your results so far?

Have you learned any lessons that might help the rest of us?

 

[imported_Lothar]

We should start a "Virtual Stock Exchange" game in which ATOT members can take part.

 

[robothouse77]

lessons i've learned thus far:
1. Never, ever, ever listen to financial analysts. They are quite often wrong.

2. Buy low, sell high. Look for indicators. For example, if you were to chart a stock, one indicator is the parabolic SAR. Simply chart a stock for say 3 months w/ the parabolic SAR. When the line for SAR crosses the actual price on a downturn, buy. on an upturn, sell.

3. Set stop limits for both losses against principal and profits. For example, if you have $1000 in a particular stock, and you are willing to lose $100, set that up as a stop loss. Or, if you've suddenly make a $25 percent profit, and don't want to not have that even as the stock keeps climbing, set that as a stop loss.

4. Use scottrade.com. $7 commissions, anytime. Sharebuilder i believe you can only trade for $4 on tuesdays or some crap.

5. Be aware of headlines. Even if a stock is climbing, in one after hour, you can lose %12. Be sure to sell the next morning...

6. Good luck!

 

[bobdelt]

dont forget sell high buy low...

 

[DaveSimmons]

Or just buy stock index mutual funds and hold them forever

Less potential gain but a lot less risk. Most people trying to pick stocks do worse over time than if they'd just bought and held an S&P 500 stock index mutual fund like Vanguard.com's VFINX.

 

[chrisms]

Your attitude does not seem fit for the stock market. It is not like a casino where you drop a few hundred and a few minutes later hope the stock has gone up a dollar. The basic way to invest in stocks is think of it as investing in a company, which is exactly what you are doing. Find a company that looks like it has a good chance for success in the future. You do this by looking at various indicators that you can find on the web, and by researching that company and the industry it is in. Is the industry doing well? Will it continue to do well? Is this company outperforming its competitors? You then invest a larger sum of money (at least over $1000, $2000 is my minimum) in the company and leave it alone. Let the company progress as companies do (slowly).

I have no qualifications to give stock advice, but this is what the basics of long term investment are. Short term investment for someone who lacks as much knowledge as you seem to is foolish. Read up on the links provided by other members and good luck.

 

[AtlantaBob]

Originally posted by: chrisms
Your attitude does not seem fit for the stock market. It is not like a casino where you drop a few hundred and a few minutes later hope the stock has gone up a dollar. The basic way to invest in stocks is think of it as investing in a company, which is exactly what you are doing. Find a company that looks like it has a good chance for success in the future. You do this by looking at various indicators that you can find on the web, and by researching that company and the industry it is in. Is the industry doing well? Will it continue to do well? Is this company outperforming its competitors? You then invest a larger sum of money (at least over $1000, $2000 is my minimum) in the company and leave it alone. Let the company progress as companies do (slowly).

I have no qualifications to give stock advice, but this is what the basics of long term investment are. Short term investment for someone who lacks as much knowledge as you seem to is foolish. Read up on the links provided by other members and good luck.

You should listen to this man. And Morningstar (as Scott mentioned before) is a good reference.

 

[Miramonti]

If you just want to play and have money to burn, go for it. Once you buy some stock and have your money on the line, your attention span will atleast triple and you'll learn faster. Stick to one or two volatile low priced stocks. You have to decide what you want to do first - whether you want to find good companies, or simply find stocks that are trading at a price that are at the moment too low and have a good chance of going up soon (ie ones that have gotten pummelled in the last week or two). Finding good companies to invest in is a long term thing, since short term market volatility can take a good stock down. However stocks that have gotten very cheap over the last week or two may be a much better quick investment and won't be as susceptible to overall market swings.

Can't win it if you're not in it.