Basics of Stock Market Investing
When you consider the basics of stock market investing, begin at the beginning. What is a stock? What are common, preferred, Class A and Class B stocks? What is a mutual fund? What do you want to consider before you actually invest? How much money can you put into your stock portfolio? Where are good resources for your research? Do you have liability? What fees are involved? And more…
Obviously, from the range of questions to be answered, one of the basics of stock market investing is that you want to do your homework before you invest! It is not simple, but it is worth doing. One good online research resource is Morningstar. Next, determine how much money you have available for investments, and what level of risk you can endure. Personal circumstances vary, and your needs will change over time.
One of the most attractive basics of stock market investing is the fact that you become an owner, have voting rights, and the right to your share of profit (or loss) for the company or fund you select. Common stocks are available to the public, offer voting rights and dividends. You have limited liability, your stock value. Preferred stocks have no voting rights, but if the company is dissolved, you are first to get dividends and assets. Class A stocks are offered to the general pubic, having one vote per share. Class B stocks are offered to company founders, carry 10 votes per share, and are offered to keep company control in the hands of the founders.
Prices rise when demand is high. Demand is influenced by external events and disasters. Over the long run, stocks have earned better returns than other investments. Regular periodic investment is preferred over big chunk investment, because the ups and downs of prices are spread out over time, making price averages lower. When you have more experience, you may want to transfer your investments from stocks to bonds or money market funds, depending on your short term and long term goals.
Greater risk generally can result in greater gains, or losses. The amount of risk you want to bear depends on your personal financial circumstances and goals. Age can be a factor. Older investors will prefer lower risk and dividends, income producing stocks versus high risk high gain stocks.
Finally, you may ask what kinds of stocks or mutual funds? Large company stocks can cost more, while small company stocks may have greater potential to gain - or lose. A mutual fund can spread out your risk factor with diversification among companies that you could not do individually. Mutual funds charge management fees in addition to buying and selling fees. Individual stocks can rise and fall more drastically. Tracking mutual fund investments is more difficult. Mutual funds can have either a broad or narrow focus of investment. You have the benefit of professional financial managers, and they offer you more convenience in record keeping and some have services such as check writing.
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