Get To Know the Stock Market
Before you get started trading stocks, it’s important to know how the market works. Here are some key terms to know:
Decide What Kind of Trader You Are
As you consider how to get started in the stock market, you also need to decide what kind of trader you will be. Do you see yourself trading every day? Do you want to trade a couple of times per week? Do you want to buy stocks and hold them for the long term? While there’s no right or wrong way to trade, there are risks and rewards to different approaches. Common approaches include:
Day trading: Day traders buy and sell stocks throughout the day. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines pattern day traders as those who execute four or more day trades within five business days. Day traders often use borrowed money, which can lead to debt if the day trading isn’t profitable. Day trading has the potential for quick returns. Swing trading: This is a longer-term approach than day trading. Swing traders take trades that last from a day to several weeks. This practice offers relatively quick rewards and less potential for loss than day trading, but it’s still a labor-intensive approach. Investing: This is the buying and holding of stocks for the long term, which could be months or even years.
Consider Your Finances
If you want to day trade stocks in the U.S., you need to maintain a balance of at least $25,000 in your account. If that’s not possible, it rules out day trading. Swing trading doesn’t have a minimum capital requirement, but to be able to trade stocks of varying prices as opportunities become available, you may want to commit at least $10,000 to the endeavor in order to keep your account balance from being whittled away by broker commissions and fees. Investing requires less capital. Since trades are held for a long period of time, commissions aren’t as much of a factor. Some brokers allow you to buy fractional shares, so you could get started with a relatively small balance. Save money on commissions by making one trade instead of multiple trades. For example, instead of buying 100 shares every week, save the money for a month, then make one large purchase.
Find a Broker and Trading Platform
A broker facilitates trading between market participants, allowing you to buy stocks from sellers and sell stock to buyers. (There is a buyer and seller for every transaction.) As a trader, you want a broker who is:
Low cost: Low commissions and feesReliable: One who can trade when you want with minimal system outagesHonest: Won’t steal your money or engage in risky behaviors with itUseful with tools for research: Least important, since there are many free tools available online
If you want to day trade, you may want a few more things in a broker.
The broker should execute orders instantly with no intervention on their part. Even a one-second delay is too much.“Trade from chart” capabilities, and/or the ability to rapidly place, adjust, and cancel orders.
There are many brokers, some of which are better for investors, and some which are better for day traders or swing traders. Spend time researching the above factors before choosing a broker. Each broker offers a trading platform, which is the technology that allows you to view stock quotes, see charts, do research, and, most importantly, place orders. Test out various platforms by opening demo accounts with various brokers. Stock trading has become relatively easy now with trading apps. You can just pick up your iPhone or iPad, log into your brokerage account, and place your trades.
Practice Before You Start Trading
One way to test-drive potential brokers and practice your trading skills is to use a demo or virtual trading account. A virtual trading account simulates trading, but you’re not actually spending any money. TD Ameritrade and TradeStation both offer virtual trading accounts. While making a profit on a virtual platform doesn’t necessarily mean that real money profits will come just as easily, it’s a valuable tool for learning how trading works and what style fits you the best.
The Bottom Line
Trading stocks is exciting because it involves risk and reward. Starting to trade is the easy part, though. Be prepared for losses, and don’t trade more than you can afford to lose. Over time, you’ll learn what works for you, your goals, and your financial situation.