Stock Trading for Beginners

If you are a beginner, before you start trading stock, ask yourself what your investment goals are.
Are you investing for income, growth or immediate profits?

If you are investing for income, you want a secure company in a solid industry. The stocks listed in the S & P 500 are a good place to start.Look for companies that produce consumables that people use year after year. Income producing stocks pay dividends. Dividends can be thought of like interest on a bank account. You are generally paid quarterly and the amount you receive corresponds to the number of shares you own. With these types of stocks, you buy and hold them for many years. The price generally stays steady. Income stocks are easy to find as all companies list dividends paid in their annual reports. Although all investments have an element of risk, for the beginner stock trader, income stocks can be considered less risky.

When you invest in a growth stock, you expect to see an increase in the price of the stock over time. It is rare for a growth stock to pay dividends. Growth stock investing can pay off with huge profits in the long run but, generally, has much more price fluctuation. Patience is needed to see your investment increase in value. To find growth stocks, look to industries that are undergoing change. The technology sector has had tremendous growth and has produced some huge stock winners.

If you are investing for immediate profits, you will be buying and holding your stock for short periods of time. Mostly less than one year and in the case of "Day Traders" only a matter of hours or even minutes. You need to do a lot of research, know the industries, know the companies and time your purchases and liquidations precisely. This type of trading depends on the volatility of the stock. Although the profits can be huge, the risk is high and not a type of stock trading for beginners.

Investing in the stock market doesn't have to be complicated. Find a strategy for stock investing and stick to it. Your strategy should fit your lifestyle. Do you want to spend everyday watching the market on your computer or do you want to "set it and forget it?" How much risk are you willing to tolerate? Will you break out in hives if the price of your stock dips by 5%? What about 25%? By determining your investment goals and your tolerance for risk even a beginner can succeed at stock trading.